Abstract:
A switch assembly and method for use with power equipment, the switch assembly comprises a housing assembly for having an actuator opening, the opening defining spaced first and second internal housing positions and a removably located actuator for selectively positioning within the opening of the housing assembly for altering the operation of power equipment. The switch assembly further includes a first switch corresponding to the first housing position to selectively provide power to one or more components of the power equipment and a second switch corresponding to the second housing position such that the second switch is spaced away from the first housing position, the second switch for detecting the presence and position of the actuator such to further alter the operation of power equipment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The following application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/925,503 filed Jan. 9, 2014 entitled SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/083,999 filed Nov. 25, 2014 entitled SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME. The above-identified applications from which priority is claimed are incorporated herein by reference their entireties for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to electrical switches, and more particularly to a switch assembly and method of operation that includes an enablement switch arrangement having a selectable mode operation between an operable state and a non-operable state of a piece of equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Heavy pieces of equipment, such as lawn mowers, tractors, tillers, cranes, and the like, are typically operated using an ignition switch. Accidental engagement of the ignition switch can cause unintentional operation of the piece of equipment. Such unintentional operations can result in damage to an external structure (e.g., a building), a person, or both. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure includes a switch assembly and method for use with power equipment. The switch assembly comprises a housing assembly having an actuator opening, the opening defining spaced first and second internal housing positions and a removably located actuator for selectively positioning within the opening of the housing assembly for altering the operation of power equipment. The switch assembly further includes a first switch corresponding to the first housing position to selectively provide power to one or more components of the power equipment and a second switch corresponding to the second housing position such that the second switch is spaced away from the first housing position, the second switch for detecting the presence and position of the actuator such to further alter the operation of power equipment. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a switch assembly for use with power equipment, the switch assembly comprising: a housing assembly defined by a first and second housing position; a removably located actuator for selectively positioning within the first and second housing positions to alter the operation of power equipment; a circuit comprising: a first switch corresponding to the first housing position; a second switch corresponding to the second housing position; and a microcontroller to receive and process signals, wherein the first and second switches detect the presence and position of the actuator in the first and second housing positions such to alter a signal to the microcontroller, wherein a signal from the first switch indicating the actuator is in a first housing position enables at least one component of the power equipment, and a signal from the second switch indicates the actuator is in the second housing position enabling a microcontroller to execute instructions controlling at least one component of the power equipment. 
     While another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for using a switch assembly to activate power equipment comprising: inserting a removable actuator into a first housing position of a housing assembly; activating a first switch corresponding to the first housing position, the switch to selectively provide power to one or more components of the power equipment; inserting the removable actuator into the second housing position of a housing assembly; and activating a second switch corresponding to the second housing position, the second switch to provide a control signal enabling the microcontroller to execute instructions to operate at least one component of the power equipment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless described otherwise throughout the drawings and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tractor configured for use with a switch assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a first top perspective view of a switch assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation section view along section lines  8 - 8  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation section view along section lines  9 - 9  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a disassembled view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded assembly view of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a second top perspective view of a switch assembly constructed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a second top plan view of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a rear elevation view of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation section view along section lines  18 - 18  illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a front elevation section view along section lines  19 - 19  illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a disassembled view of the switch assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded assembly view of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded section view illustrating an actuator removed from a housing assembly; 
         FIG. 23  is another exploded section view illustrating an actuator removed from a housing assembly; 
         FIG. 24  is a section view illustrating an actuator located in a first position within a housing assembly; 
         FIG. 25  is another section view illustrating an actuator located in a first position within a housing assembly; 
         FIG. 26  is a section view illustrating an actuator located in a second position within a housing assembly; 
         FIG. 27  is another section view illustrating an actuator located in a second position within a housing assembly; 
         FIG. 28  depicts a schematic of circuitry for operating a switch assembly in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is a flow chart that illustrates operation of a switch assembly in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary system of hardware components capable of implementing examples of the systems and methods disclosed in  FIGS. 1-29 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to electrical switches, and more particularly to a switch assembly and method of operation that includes an enablement switch arrangement having a selectable mode operation between an operable state and a non-operable state of a piece of equipment. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a lawn mower LM with a socket S for receiving an enablement switch assembly  10  constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Although  FIG. 1  shows the lawn mower LM, it will be appreciated that the enablement switch assembly  10  can be used with any other suitable use of heavy equipment e.g., cranes, tractors, watercraft, snow mobiles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and the like. 
       FIGS. 2-11  illustrate an enablement switch assembly  10  constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The enablement switch assembly  10 , as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, can operate as a kill switch, based on the construction of the switch assembly, as further discussed below. In the illustrated example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the enablement switch assembly  10  includes an actuator  12  and a housing assembly  14 . 
     As described in more detail below, the actuator  12  is selectively removable from the housing assembly  14 . The actuator  12  can include a housing  16 , a stem  18  extending from a bottom surface  132  of the housing  16 , and a handle  20  disposed within a portion of the housing  16 . The housing  16  is generally circular. The stem  18  is generally cylindrical and includes a hollow interior (not shown) for receiving a magnet  22  (described below). The handle  20  can be configured as a lever for a user to grip and install or remove the actuator  12  from the housing assembly  14 . The housing  16 , the stem  18 , and the handle  20  are each made of a metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) or a non-metal (e.g., plastic). 
     The magnet  22  is generally cylindrical. The magnet  22  is also sized and dimensioned to fit within the hollow interior of the stem  18 . The magnet  22  in the illustrated example embodiment fits within the hollow interior of the stem  18  in a frictional, press-fit arrangement. The magnet  22  is configured to completely fit within the hollow interior of the stem  18 , such that no portion of the magnet is exposed from the stem. The magnet  22  is configured to communicate with a sensor, as described in more detail below. In another alternative example embodiment, the magnet  22  is positioned and held within the stem  18  of the actuator  12  by overmolding and/or heat staking, or some other means. 
     The housing assembly  14  includes a first housing member  24  and a second housing member  26 . As described in more detail below, the first and second housing members  24  and  26  are configured to mate with one another. The first housing member  24  includes a main body  28  that defines an interior space  30 . It will be appreciated that the interior space  30  is configured as a blind hole. The main body  28  is generally cylindrical, and is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) or a non-metal (e.g., plastic). The main body  28  includes an upper portion  32  and a lower portion  34 . 
     The upper portion  32  of the main body  28  includes a series of tabs  36  and recesses  38  that can be alternately arranged around the perimeter of the upper portion. That is, each tab  36  is bordered on each adjacent side thereof by a recess  38  such that the tabs do not border each other and the recesses do not border each other. The tabs  36  and the recesses  38  allow the first housing member  24  to engage a lid member  110 , as described in more detail below. 
     The lower portion  34  of the main body  28  includes first and second deflectable wing members  40  and  42  and first and second slots  44  and  46  that are alternately arranged on opposing sides of the main body. That is, each wing member  40  and  42  is bordered on each side thereof by the first and second slots  44  and  46  such that the wing members do not border each other and the slots do not border each other on adjacent sides of the main body  28 . The first and second wing members  40  and  42  are configured to engage a portion of the socket S of the lawn mower LM, and the first and second slots  44  and  46  are configured to engage first and second locking members  74  and  76  of the second housing member  26 . 
     First and second engagement members  48  and  50  extend from the lower portion  34  below the wing members  40  and  42 . That is, the first engagement member  48  is disposed below the first wing member  40 , and the second engagement member  50  is disposed below the second wing member  42 . The first and second engagement members  48  and  50  are configured to engage engagement slots  78  and  80  of the second housing member  26  to lock the first and second housing members  24  and  26 . 
     A cylindrical tubular receiving member  52  is disposed within the interior space  30  of the main body  28 . The receiving member  52  includes an opening  54  to receive and hold a support assembly  100  of the housing assembly  14 . The receiving member  52  is fixed to a bottom surface  56  of the main body  28 . The bottom surface  56  acts as a seal between the first and second housing members  24  and  26 . 
     The main body  28  also includes first and second drain holes  58  and  60  that are disposed above the first and second slots  44  and  46 . The first and second drain holes  58  and  60  are configured to evacuate water and debris that may enter into the interior space  30 . It will be appreciated that the bottom surface  56  of the main body  28  is positioned such that the first and second drain holes  58  and  60  are disposed above the bottom surface  56  and the first and second slots  44  and  46  are disposed below the bottom surface  56 . Thus, the first and second drain holes  58  and  60  are configured to evacuate water and debris from the interior space  30  to provide a seal between the first and second housing members  24  and  26 . 
     The second housing member  26  includes a main body  62  that defines an interior space  64 . The main body  62  is generally cylindrical, and is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) or a non-metal (e.g., plastic). The main body  62  includes an upper portion  66  and a lower portion  68 . 
     The upper portion  66  of the second housing member  26  is configured to be received by the lower portion  34  of the first housing member  24 . The upper portion  66  includes a first lip  70  for supporting an O-ring seal  72  to provide a seal between the first and second housing members  24  and  26 . The upper portion  66  also includes first and second locking members  74  and  76  that are oppositely disposed on the main body  62 . The first and second locking members  74  and  76  are each configured to engage the first and second slots  44  and  46  of the first housing member  24  to lock the first and second housing members  24  and  26  together. 
     The upper portion  66  further includes first and second engagement slots  78  and  80  that are oppositely disposed on a second lip  82  of the upper portion  66 . The first and second engagement slots  78  and  80  are configured to engage the first and second engagement members  48  and  50  of the first housing member  24  to lock the first and second housing members  24  and  26  together. The first and second locking members  74  and  76  and the first and second engagement slots  78  and  80  are alternately arranged around the upper portion  66  such that each locking member  74  and  76  is bordered on each adjacent side by one of the engagement slots  78  and  80 . 
     The lower portion  68  of the main body  62  includes first and second notches  84  and  86  that are configured to engage a portion of the socket S of the lawn mower LM to install the switch assembly  10  in the lawn mower. 
     The second housing member  26  includes a terminal receiver  88  disposed in the interior space  64 . The terminal receiver  88  includes one or more terminal receptacles  90  for receiving terminals of a printed circuit board (PCB)  94 . 
     The housing assembly  14  further includes a circuit apparatus  92  disposed within the second housing member  26 . The circuit apparatus  92  includes the PCB  94  and a sensor  96  disposed thereon. The circuit apparatus  92  is generally circular, and is sized and dimensioned to fit within the interior space  64  of the second housing member  26 , which provides an isolated and environmental seal from debris and harsh operating environments. The variable output provides features that allow the switch assembly and particularly the PCB  94  to sense whether the actuator  12  is absent from the housing assembly  14 , present within the housing assembly, and, if present, how it is positioned within the housing, e.g., being either depressed or at rest. 
     In the illustrated example embodiment, the sensor  96  is a Reed switch for communicating with the magnet  22  to operate the enablement switch assembly  10 . The Reed switch  96  can vary an output voltage in the presence or absence of a magnetic field, and in this case formed by the presence of the actuator  12 . Stated another way, the switch  96  detects the presence or absence of an external object (e.g., a switch, magnet, etc.). In the presence of a magnetic field, the switch  96  senses the magnetic field generated by the magnet  22 , thereby allowing operation of the lawn mower LM. In the absence of a magnetic field, the switch  96  no longer senses the magnetic field, thereby preventing operation of the lawn mower LM. In one example embodiment, the switch  96  is used as a “kill switch,” thereby selectively allowing operation of the lawn mower LM (or other piece of heavy equipment) by a user, and disabling the lawn mower upon its removal. 
     The PCB  94  includes a plurality of terminals  98  that correspond to the terminal receptacles  90  of the terminal receiver  88 . The PCB  94  is configured to electrically communicate with circuitry (not shown) of the lawn mower LM connected by terminals (not shown) to a wiring harness (not shown) coupled to an electronic control unit (ECU) of a motor (not shown) of the lawn mower LM. Such electrical communication includes the alteration of the electrical states, thus allowing the enablement switch assembly  10  to control operation (such as ON/OFF control) of the lawn mower LM. In an alternative example embodiment, the switch assembly  10  and its PCB  94  may interface directly with the lawn mower LM engine, battery, relays, and the like to control the operation (such as ON/OFF control). 
     The housing assembly  14  further includes a support apparatus  100  that is disposed within the receiving member  52  of the first housing member  24 . The support apparatus  100  includes a collar  102  and a biasing member  104 . The collar  102  is cylindrical and includes an opening  106  to receive the stem  18  of the actuator  12  to connect the actuator  12  to the housing assembly  14 . The collar  102  includes a hollow interior  108  that allows the collar to engage the biasing member  104 . The biasing member  104  is configured to support the collar  102  and the actuator  12  when the actuator is installed in the housing assembly  14 . As shown, the biasing member  104  is a coil spring; however, it will be appreciated the biasing member can include any mechanism suitable to position the collar  102 . 
     The spring or biasing member  104  further advances the collar  102  against an annular ridge  81  until the ridges engage a detent  79  in a first or up position as illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25  when the actuator is first inserted into the housing assembly  14 . An additional down force advances the actuator to a second or down position as illustrated in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , as the ridges  81  pass beyond the detent  79 . 
     The housing assembly  14  includes a lid member  110 . The lid member  110  is generally circular, and is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) or a non-metal (e.g., plastic). The lid member  110  retains the collar  102  and biasing member  104  within the housing assembly  14 . The lid member  110  is also configured to provide ingress protection to the interior space  30  of the first housing member  24  and acts as an aesthetic trim piece. The lid member  110  includes a series of tabs (not shown) and recesses (not shown) that are configured to cooperate with the recesses  38  and the tabs  36 , respectively of the first housing member  24 . The lid member  110  also includes a central opening  112  that can be coaxially aligned with the opening  106  of the collar  102 . The central opening  112  is configured to receive the stem  18  of the actuator  12  to connect the actuator  12  to the housing assembly  14 . The lid member  110  also includes first and second flanges  114  and  116  that can be configured to engage third and fourth slots  118  and  120  of the first housing member  24  to connect the lid member  110  to the first housing member  24 . 
     The lid member  110  further includes first and second concave receiving surfaces  122  and  124 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . The first and second receiving surfaces  122  and  124  are configured to provide a space for the fingers of a user to easily remove the actuator  12  from the housing assembly  14  to prevent operation of the lawn mower LM. 
     The switch assembly  10  is assembled before insertion into the socket S of the lawn mower LM. The O-ring seal  72  is positioned on the first lip  70  of the second housing member  26 . The circuit apparatus  92  is installed into the interior space  64  of the second housing member  26  by inserting the plurality of terminals  98  into the corresponding plurality of terminal receptacles  90  of the terminal receiver  88 . The terminal  98  fits snugly into the terminal receptacles  90  to prevent disengagement of the circuit apparatus  92  from the terminal receiver  88 . It will be appreciated that the circuit apparatus  92  can be installed into the terminal receiver  88  before the O-ring seal  72  is positioned on the first lip  70 . 
     Once the circuit apparatus  92  and the O-ring seal  72  are positioned, the first housing member  24  is connected to the second housing member  26 . The second housing member  26  is inserted into the first housing member  24  such that the lower portion  34  of the first housing member  24  receives the upper portion  66  of the second housing member  26 . The first and second slots  44  and  46  of the first housing member  24  and the first and second locking members  74  and  76  of the second housing member are aligned with one another. Consequently, the first and second engagement members  48  and  50  of the first housing member and the first and second engagement slots  78  and  80  of the second housing member are aligned with one another. The upper portion  66  of the second housing member  26  is inserted into the lower portion  34  of the first housing member until the first and second locking members  74  and  76  engage the first and second slots  44  and  46  in a snap-fit configuration. Consequently, the first and second engagement members  48  and  50  are engaged with the first and second engagement slots  78  and  80  in a snap-fit configuration. 
     When the first and second housing members  24  and  26  are engaged with one another, the circuit apparatus  92  is disposed between the O-ring seal  72  and the bottom surface  54  of the first housing member. The bottom surface  54  seals the circuit apparatus  92  from debris and/or water that enters the interior space  30  of the first housing member  24 . The O-ring seal  72  seals the circuit apparatus  92  from debris and/or water that enters the space between the now-engaged first and second housing members  24  and  26 . Thus, the circuit apparatus  92  is completely sealed from any water and/or debris that enters the housing assembly  14 . 
     The support apparatus  100  is installed after the first and second housing members  24  and  26  are engaged with one another. The biasing member  104  is inserted into the opening  54  of the receiving member  52  of the first housing member  24 . The collar  102  is then inserted into the opening  54  of the receiving member  52  such that the collar rests on top of the biasing member  104 . The biasing member  104  fits within the hollow space  108  of the collar  102 , thereby allowing the biasing member  104  to bias the collar  102  upward. 
     To complete assembly of the housing assembly  14 , the lid member  110  is installed onto the first housing member  24 . The recesses (not shown) and the tabs (not shown) of the lid member  110  are engaged with the tabs  36  and the recesses  38 , respectively, of the upper portion  32  of the first housing member  24 . The first and second flanges  114  and  116  of the lid member  110  and the third and fourth slots  118  and  120  of the first housing member  24  are engaged with one another to lock the lid member to the first housing member. Once the lid member  110  is installed, the central opening  112  is aligned with the opening  106  of the collar  102 . It will be appreciated that the support apparatus  100  and the lid member  110  can be engaged with the first housing member  24  before the first housing member is engaged with the second housing member  26 . 
     Once the housing assembly  14  is assembled, the actuator  12  is engaged with the housing assembly to complete assembly of the switch assembly  10 . The stem  18  of the actuator  12  is inserted into the aligned central opening  112  of the lid member  110  and the opening  54  of the collar  102 . As shown, the stem  18  is surrounded by one or more portions of the biasing member  104 . The housing  16  of the actuator  12  rests on the collar  102  to overcome the bias of the biasing member  104 , thereby securing the actuator  12  within the housing assembly  14 . 
     Now assembled, the switch assembly  10  is inserted into the socket S of the lawn mower LM. The lower portion  68  of the second housing member  26  is first inserted into the socket S. As the switch assembly  10  is inserted into the socket S, the first and second wing members  40  and  42  are deflected inward to allow the switch assembly to further pass into the socket. The first and second wing members  40  and  42  are deflected outward into corresponding recesses (not shown) when the lid member  110  is flush with a portion of an outer body of the lawn mower LM. The lower portion  68  of the second housing member includes a socket  126  configured to engage a portion of circuitry (not shown) of the lawn mower LM. 
     As noted, the switch  96  can be configured as a Reed switch. However, it will be appreciated that the switch  96  can be another technology, including but not limited to, infrared, capacitive, or inductive sensing, where the magnet  22  would be replaced with a different device such as metal, sensor, or light to accommodate the different types of engagement from the switch  96 , as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Returning to the illustrated example embodiment, once the actuator  12  is inserted into the first position of the housing assembly  14  (see  FIGS. 24 and 25 ). The switch  96  senses the magnetic field supplied by the magnet  22  such that the output voltage of the switch  96  is increased, thereby causing the PCB  94  to be enabled communicate with the wiring harness (not shown) of the lawn mower LM. A second switch  97  is enabled when the actuator  12  is advanced to the second position in the housing, as illustrated in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . This second position  97  when enabled initiates the process of starting the starter solenoid and engine. Thus, operation of the lawn mower LM is commenced. The second switch  97  in one example embodiment is a mechanical switch, such as a contact switch or plunger switch. While it should be appreciated that the second switch  97  could also be a Reed switch, inductance switch, phototransistor switch, Hall effect sensor, and the like. 
     When the actuator  12  is removed from the housing assembly  14 , the switch  96  is no longer influenced by the magnetic field supplied by the magnet  22 . The output voltage through the switch  96  is cut off, thereby causing the PCB  94  to communicate with the wiring harness (not shown) of the lawn mower LM to ground the magneto of the engine, thus, halting its operation to an OFF or disabled state. In an alternative example embodiment of a non-gas powered engine or electric motor the removal of the actuator  12  will reduce the power supplied to the LM motor. Thus, operation of the lawn mower LM is rendered impossible, thereby allowing the actuator  12  to act as a “kill switch.” 
       FIGS. 6-10  illustrate an enablement switch assembly  10 ′ constructed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present disclosure. The enablement switch assembly  10 ′ is configured similarly to the switch assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-5 , except as described below. The enablement switch assembly  10 ′ includes an actuator  12 ′ for use with the housing assembly  14  of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     The actuator  12 ′ is selectively removable from the housing assembly  14 . The actuator  12 ′ includes the stem  18  of the actuator  12 ; however, the housing  16  and the handle  20  are replaced with a housing  16 ′. The housing  16 ′ is generally circular. The housing  16 ′ is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) or a non-metal (e.g., plastic). The housing  16 ′ includes a flat top surface  128  with an display  130  disposed thereon. The display  130  includes a “START” insignia and a “STOP” insignia, however it should be appreciated that other text and/or symbology could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     The actuator  12 ′ can be used as an ignition kill switch to operate the lawn mower LM. In addition, the actuator  12 ′ can be used to alter the state or operation of the lawn mower LM based on its position within the housing assembly  14  based on the magnetic field supplied by the magnet  22  because of its proximity to the switch  96 . For example, in one example embodiment, the actuator  12  is inserted into the housing assembly  14 , the lawn mower LM will enable accessory power output(s), and a second insertion or push of the actuator  12  deeper within the housing assembly results in the enablement of an output to turn on a starter solenoid for enabling the lawn mower engine. Under such operation, the switch  96  detects the presence of the actuator  12 , and the microcontroller can sense further advancement of the actuator&#39;s position. Thus, the actuator  12  operates similar to a control switch having an up and momentary down positions, resulting in different outputs and control of the lawn mower LM. Stated another way, the switch  96  permits different outputs to the lawn mower LM based on the position of the actuator  12  within the housing assembly  14  from for example a first position illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25  to a second position illustrated in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . 
     When the actuator  12 ′ is removed from the housing assembly  14 , the switch  96  no longer senses the magnetic field supplied by the magnet  22 . The output voltage through the switch  96  is cut off thereby causing the PCB  94  to communicate with the wiring harness (not shown) of the lawn mower LM to ground the magneto, thus shutting down the engine. Thus, operation of the lawn mower LM is rendered impossible. In this manner, the actuator  12 ′ acts as a “kill switch.” 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 28  is another example embodiment comprising an exemplary circuit  200  used in the operation of the switch assembly  10  employing a removable actuator, which can correspond to removable actuator  12  and  12 ′, as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-27 .  FIG. 28  depicts that the removable actuator can be inserted into a housing assembly configured for application of the removable actuator in a first  214  and a second  216  position. The housing assembly can correspond to housing assembly  14  and  14 ′, as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-27 . Thus, different control outputs can be provided based on the relative positions  214  and  216  of the removable actuator. 
     For example, upon activating first switch  222 , e.g., a Reed switch, current will flow from power supply  220  through a power supply protection component  252  to supply power to a first electronic switch  254  and a regulator circuit  256 . At this stage, no current is supplied to the microcontroller  230  from the regulator circuit  256 . Additionally, a voltage divider  250  is activated to monitor current from power supply  220 . For example, a second electronic switch  226  connecting voltage divider  250  to the microcontroller  230  is typically open. When current is supplied to the microcontroller  230  and the power equipment is in operation, the second electronic switch  226  is engaged and power is directly applied to the voltage divider  250 . When the voltage divider  250  is disabled, the current from the power supply  220  can be cut off, preventing possible current flow when the microcontroller  230  is not operating. 
     The removable actuator can be further inserted into the housing to occupy second position  216  corresponding to the second position in the housing. Thus, the removable actuator can be forced into the second position and initiate operation of the equipment by activating, e.g., a mechanical switch. This action would further activate second electronic switch  226  and third electronic switch  228 , allowing another control signal to flow to the microcontroller  230 . The control signal can instruct the microcontroller  230  to activate. At this stage, firmware and/or hardware within microcontroller  230  will become enabled and communicate with regulator circuit  256  with instructions to supply engine operating current. 
     Moreover, the microcontroller  230  is connected to input circuitry  234  corresponding to a variety of operating conditions that indicate the equipment can be safely operated. For example, the input circuitry  234  can include a seat sensor  240 , a brake sensor  242 , a gear sensor  244 , and other sensors  246  useful or necessary for the operation of a particular equipment platform. In this example, the seat sensor  240  may indicate the seat is unoccupied, the brake sensor  242  may indicate the brake is not engaged, and the gear sensor  244  may indicate the tractor is in reverse. The status of the various inputs are compared against a set of predetermined thresholds that must be complied with before the microcontroller  230  is able to activate output circuitry  236 . Thus, if one or more of the sensors indicate that a predetermined status threshold is not met, the microcontroller  230  will not send the control signal to the starter. If the sensors do indicate that each status condition is met, the microcontroller  230  continues to monitor the input circuitry  234  to ensure that safe operation continues. Thus, even during full operation of the equipment, if the input circuitry  234  supplies an updated signal to the microcontroller  230  indicating a predetermined status condition is not met, the microcontroller  230  can disable the engine and other operational components of the tractor. Upon a determination that the conditions for operation have been met, however, the microcontroller  230  enables output circuitry  236  to activate, for example, a solenoid starter to power up an engine of the tractor as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, output circuitry  236  remains in communication with input circuitry  234  by one or more connectors  248 . Further, once activated, high current output  238  is supplied from the battery voltage  220  directly to, e.g., the solenoid starter. Thus, the engine and other components of the equipment will remain in operation, so long as the status conditions are met and the removable actuator is maintained in the second position. 
       FIG. 29  is a flow chart that illustrates operation of a switch assembly employing a removable actuator, as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-28 . At the start position  302 , the removable actuator has been removed from the switch assembly housing, the switch has not been activated, and the electrical and other components of the equipment are disabled. The actuator is then inserted into the housing at a first position  304 . At step  306 , the Reed switch is closed by the influence of the actuator, and current is supplied to downstream system switches at step  308 . For example, the system switches can include first electronic switch  254  and second electronic switch  226 , supplying power to regulator circuit  256  and voltage divider  250 , respectively, as provided in  FIG. 28 . At this point, no current is provided to the microcontroller. 
     At step  310  the actuator is further inserted into the housing assembly. If the actuator is not recognized, the process returns to the start position. If the actuator is recognized by, for example, engaging a mechanical switch by inserting the actuator into the second position, the process advances to step  312  where electronic switches  228  and  226  are activated. At step  314 , electronic switch  228  fully activates electronic switch  254 , thereby applying voltage at step  316  to voltage regulator  256  and microcontroller  230 . Moreover, electronic switch  226  is further activated to provide voltage to voltage divider  250 . 
     Once the electronic switches are activated, the microcontroller initiates normal program execution at step  318  by initiating one or more of firmware, software, or other instructions. During normal operations, the microcontroller monitors the time at step  320 . The timer ensures that circuitry, such as input circuitry  234 , that has been activated by the actuator in the second position ( 310 ) does not continue to receive voltage in the absence of full platform operation, e.g., of a lawn mower. In other words, once the actuator is recognized as being in a second position, the timer begins. If the equipment is not fully functioning within a predetermined amount of time (“timeout”), the microcontroller can initiate shutdown operations at step  350 . Thus, the microcontroller deactivates electronic switches  226  and  228 , as well as stop the engine and associated components. Alternatively, if the actuator is not in the second position, such as having been removed from the housing, the microcontroller retains a limited use of power for a brief period of time to facilitate shutdown operations. For example, the microcontroller can save data from the previous operating period to a storage medium, including but not limited to, fuel consumption and hours of operation. 
     If the timeout has not passed, the microcontroller monitors the actuator position  322 , and ensures the microcontroller is running properly at step  324 . At step  340 , the microcontroller monitors conditional information from one or more sensors of the input circuitry  234  to ensure a set of predetermined conditions are met. For example, the input conditions could include seat sensor  240 , brake sensor  242 , and gear sensor  244  of  FIG. 28 . If the microcontroller determines that the input conditions fail to meet one or more predetermined status conditions, the method does not advance and returns to the start  302  until each required status is achieved. For example, the microcontroller can send a signal to turn off the engine and/or remove power from electrical and mechanical components. It is to be understood that an operator may add or remove various status conditions, or change the parameters and/or threshold of each predetermined status, depending on the specific device or operating circumstances. If the operating conditions are satisfied, the microcontroller determines whether or not the engine is running at step  342 . If all conditions are met, the engine is started  344 , and the microcontroller continues to monitor the various conditions during operation of the equipment. Thus, the engine and other components of the equipment will remain in operation, so long as the status conditions are met and the removable actuator is maintained in the second position. 
       FIG. 30  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary system  600  of hardware components capable of implementing examples of the switch assembly  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-29 . The system  600  can include various systems and subsystems. The system  600  can be, for example, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart portable device, a workstation, a computer system, an appliance, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a server, a server blade center, a server farm, or a similar device. 
     The system  600  can include a system bus  602 , a processing unit  604 , such as a microprocessor as described herein, a system memory  606 , memory devices  608  and  610 , a communication interface  612  (e.g., a network interface), a communication link  614 , a display  616  (e.g., a video screen), and an input device  618  (e.g., a keyboard and/or a mouse). The system bus  602  can be in communication with the processing unit  604  and the system memory  606 . The additional memory devices  608  and  610 , such as a hard disk drive, server, stand alone database, or other non-volatile memory, can also be in communication with the system bus  602 . The system bus  602  interconnects the processing unit  604 , the memory devices  606 - 610 , the communication interface  612 , the display  616 , and the input device  618 . In some examples, the system bus  602  also interconnects an additional port (not shown), such as a universal serial bus (USB) port. The processing unit  604  can be a computing device and can include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processing unit  604  executes a set of instructions to implement the operations of examples disclosed herein. The processing unit  604  can include a processing core. 
     The additional memory devices  606 ,  608  and  610  can store data, programs, instructions, database queries in text or compiled form, and any other information that can be needed to operate a computer. The memories  606 ,  608  and  610  can be implemented as non-transitory computer-readable media (integrated or removable) such as a memory card, disk drive, compact disk (CD), or server accessible over a network. In certain examples, the memories  606 ,  608  and  610  can store text, images, video, and/or audio, along with appropriate instructions to make the stored data available at an associated display  616  in a human comprehensible form. Additionally, the memory devices  608  and  610  can serve as databases or data storage for the algorithm illustrated in  FIGS. 42-50 . Additionally or alternatively, the system  600  can access an external data source through the communication interface  612 , which can communicate with the system bus  602  and the communication link  614 . 
     In operation, the system  600  can be used to implement a control system for implementing instructions such as described herein. Computer executable logic for implementing instructions resides on one or more of the system memory  606  and the memory devices  608 ,  610  in accordance with certain examples. The processing unit  604  executes one or more computer executable instructions originating from the system memory  606  and the memory devices  608  and  610 . The term “computer readable medium” as used herein refers to a medium that participates in providing instructions to the processing unit  604  for execution, and can include multiple physical memory components linked to the processor via appropriate data connections. 
     As used herein, terms of orientation and/or direction such as upward, downward, forward, rearward, upper, lower, inward, outward, inwardly, outwardly, horizontal, horizontally, vertical, vertically, distal, proximal, axially, radially, etc., are provided for convenience purposes and relate generally to the orientation shown in the Figures and/or discussed in the Detailed Description. Such orientation/direction terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, this application and the invention or inventions described therein, or the claims appended hereto. 
     What have been described above are examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or a methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.