Electrical tilt switch employing multiple conductive spheres
US5332876A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S200/29
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a tilt switch that opens or closes an electrical circuit in accordance with the angle of inclination of the switch. The present invention switch includes a housing that defines a hollow cavity. A first sphere, having a highly conductive circumferential surface, is positioned within the hollow cavity. As the switch is inclined, the first sphere rolls to one end of the housing where the sphere contacts an electrical connector. The first sphere electrically interconnects the electrical connector to the housing on which the sphere rests, thereby completing an electrical connection between the electrical connector and the conductive material of the housing. At least one second sphere is also positioned within the housing. The second sphere is sized in relation to the hollow cavity so that the first sphere cannot pass by the second sphere within the cavity. As the switch is inclined, the first sphere rolls against the electrical connector, closing the switch. The second sphere rolls against the first sphere, biasing the first sphere against the electrical connector and creating a more reliable switch. Since the second sphere itself does not engage the electrical …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.