Tilt switch

Abstract

A tilt switch includes a pair of contact elements; and at least one ball member which rolls along a path defined between the contact elements. The contact elements are disposed facing each other with a distance therebetween, as measured at one end, which is greater than the diameter of the ball member, and as measured at the other end, which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball member. Tilting of the tilt switch is electrically detected through detection of whether or not the ball member is held between the contact elements. In another embodiment the tilt switch includes a housing having a hollow portion; at least one rolling member disposed to roll substantially linearly within the hollow portion; a contact mechanism accommodation portion disposed side by side with the hollow portion; a movable contact element and a stationary contact element accommodated within the contact mechanism accommodation portion and disposed facing each other, each of the movable contact element and the stationary contact element being a spring element; and a working member having a pivot formed thereon. The working member has a portion thereof projecting into the hollow portion and is rotated by movement of the rolling member to press the movable contact element into contact with the stationary contact element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.