Tilt detector

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to the structure of a tilt detector that is used in products having an orientation detecting function and used in various kinds of portable electronic equipment, home game machines, toys, etc.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tilt detector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the tilt detector of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a first case of the tilt detector of FIG. 1;

#Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. FIGS. 1 and 2 are an exploded perspective view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, of a tilt detector according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a first case. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second case. FIG. 5 illustrates how a movable contact operates at the time of a leftward tilt. FIG. 6 illustrates how the movable contact operates at the time of a rightward tilt. FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a tilt detector according to another embodiment of the invention.

#As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the first case 1 is made of an insulative material such as a synthetic resin and assumes a box shape having a bottom opening. A circular first housing portion 1a having a bottom is formed inside the first case 1. A first fixed contact 2 that is a conductive metal plate is formed on almost the entire inside bottom surface (when the first case is viewed upside down) of the first housing portion 1a.

#The first fixed contact 2 is divided at the center into two parts by an inclined line of approximately 45°; a pair of individual fixed contacts 2a and 2b are formed so as to be opposed to each other. A central portion of the first fixed contact 2 is a first recess 2c that projects toward the bottom surface (when the first case is viewed upside down) of the first housing portion 1a. Peripheral portions of the first recess 2c assume arc shapes and the arc-shaped peripheral portions are contact portions 2d that are to come into or go out of contact with a movable contact 7 (described later).