# US 10,865,050 B2 · Manufacturing process switch for triggering an event when opened > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,050 B2 - Document ID: US10865050B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/691,117 - Filed: 2017-08-30 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-30 - Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Benjamin MacArthur; Dwayne Switzer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865050B2 ## CPC - B65G 43/00: Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting - B23Q 5/58: Safety devices {(protecting the operator B23Q11/0089)} - B23Q 11/0092: {actuating braking or stopping means} - B62D 65/18: Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines {(conveyors and haulage in general B65G)} - H03K 17/945: Proximity switches (H03K17/96 takes precedence) - H03K 17/9505: {Constructional details} - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) ## Abstract A manufacturing process switch with a housing consisting of a first member and a second member. The first member is rotatable from a closed position to an open position. A proximity sensor is secured to the housing that detects the proximity of the first member to the second member and generates a signal when the first member is in the open position. An engagement device is secured to the housing for retaining the first member to the second member in the closed position. A cable attachment mechanism is attached to the first member of the housing and securable to a cable of a tool. The first member is rotatable from the closed position to the open position when a breakaway force is applied to the cable attachment mechanism. The manufacturing process is stopped when the first member is in the open position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A manufacturing process switch comprising: a housing comprising a first member rotatably coupled to a second member; the first member is rotatable between a closed position and an open position; a proximity sensor that detects a proximity of the first member to the second member and generates a signal when the first member is in the open position; a cable attachment mechanism secured to the housing that is securable to a cable of a tool; and an engagement device secured to the housing that retains the first member to the second member in the closed position, wherein the first member is rotatable from the closed position to the open position when a breakaway force is applied to the cable attachment mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1, wherein the first member is rotatably attached to the second member with a hinge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor includes a first portion that is embedded in the first member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1, comprising a manufacturing process in electrical communication with the proximity sensor; wherein the manufacturing process is stopped when the first member is in the open position and the manufacturing process is operational when the first member is in the closed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 4, comprising a controller in communication with the proximity sensor; wherein the controller stops operations of the manufacturing process when the proximity sensor detects the first member is in the open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 5, wherein a second portion is connected to the controller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1, wherein the cable attachment mechanism is secured to the first member and includes a slotted area for securing the cable of a tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1, wherein the engagement device includes at least one magnet embedded in the first member and the second member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 8, wherein the magnets in the first member and the second member create a magnetic force requiring a predetermined breakaway force to rotate the first member to the open position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1, wherein the engagement device includes at least one catch mounted on the first member or the second member and one corresponding probe mounted on the opposing member of the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 10, wherein the catch is spring loaded so a predetermined force is required to insert the probe into the catch or remove the probe from the catch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1; wherein the first member is in the open position causing the first portion of the proximity sensor to lose the expected signal from the second portion of the proximity sensor and communicate to the controller to stop the manufacturing process. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The manufacturing process switch according to claim 1; wherein the first member is in the open position causing the first portion of the proximity sensor to lose the expected signal from the second portion of the proximity sensor and communicate to the controller to stop the manufacturing process. ### Claim 14 A manufacturing system comprising: a conveyor; a controller for regulating movement of the conveyor; a manufacturing process switch in communication with the controller; a tool with a cable including at least a power tool with a power cord and a pneumatic tool with an air hose is coupled to the manufacturing process switch; and a proximity sensor for communicating a conveyor stopping signal to the controller when the tool with a cable is moved an abnormal distance away from the manufacturing process switch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The manufacturing system of claim 14, wherein the tool with cable is coupled to the manufacturing process switch with a cable attachment mechanism. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The manufacturing system of claim 14, wherein the manufacturing process switch includes a housing with a first member rotatably coupled to a second member. ### Claim 17 The manufacturing system of 16, wherein the manufacturing process switch includes an engagement device secured to the housing that retains the first member to the second member in the closed position until a breakaway force is applied from the tool with a cable. ### Claim 18 A manufacturing process switch comprising: a housing comprising a first member rotatably attached to a second member using a spring loaded hinge; the first member is rotatable from a closed position to an open position; a proximity sensor secured to the housing that detects the proximity of the first member to the second member and generates a signal when the first member is in the open position; and a cable attachment mechanism secured to the first member that is securable to a cable of a tool; wherein the first member is rotatable from the closed position to the open position when a breakaway force is applied to the cable attachment mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The manufacturing process switch of claim 18, wherein the spring loaded hinge requires a predetermined breakaway force in order for the first member to rotate to the open position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The manufacturing process switch of claim 18, comprising a manufacturing process in electrical communication with the proximity sensor; wherein the manufacturing process is stopped when the first member is in the open position and the manufacturing process is operational when the first member is in the closed position.