Tilt sensor and method of providing the same

Abstract

A tilt sensor contains a first electrically conductive element, a second electrically conductive element, an electrically insulative element, and either a plurality of electrically conductive weights, or a first electrically conductive weight and a non-conductive weight. The electrically insulative element is connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element. In addition, the plurality of electrically conductive weights are located within a cavity of the tilt sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective side view of the present tilt sensor, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the first end cap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the central member of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the central member of FIG. 1, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the second end cap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling the tilt sensor of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A and FIG. 6B are cross-sectional side views of the tilt sensor of FIG. 1 in a closed state (ON), in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional side view of the tilt sensor having the central member of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional side view of the tilt sensor of FIG. 1 having a single conductive sphere, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are cross-sectional side views of the tilt sensor of FIG. 1 in an open state (OFF), in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt sensor, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt sensor, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a tilt sensor, in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are cross-sectional side views of a tilt sensor, in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional side views of a tilt sensor, in accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13A illustrates the tilt sensor of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B having a single conductive sphere, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the tilt sensor is in an open state (off).

FIG. 13B illustrates the tilt sensor of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B having a single conductive sphere, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the tilt sensor is in a closed state (on).

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the first end cap of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, which may be referred to for a better understanding of the location of portions of the first end cap.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are cross-sectional side views of a tilt sensor, in accordance with an eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention, where the tilt sensor contains one conductive sphere and one non-conductive sphere.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are cross-sectional side views of a tilt sensor, in accordance with a ninth exemplary embodiment of the invention, where the tilt sensor contains one conductive sphere and one non-conductive sphere.

Claims

1. A tilt sensor, comprising: a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element, wherein the first electrically conductive element further comprises: a distal portion and a proximate portion, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element extends in a direction away from the proximate portion, toward the second electrically conductive element, andwherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is conical in shape;an electrically insulative element connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element; andat least one electrically conductive weight located within a cavity of the tilt sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element.

2. The tilt sensor of claim 1, wherein the second electrically conductive element further comprises a distal portion and a proximate portion, wherein the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element extends in a direction away from the proximate portion of the second electrically conductive element, toward the first electrically conductive element.

3. The tilt sensor of claim 2, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is separated from the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element by a gap, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive weight is not capable of falling into the gap.

4. The tilt sensor of claim 2, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is separated from the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element by a gap that is large enough to allow that at least one electrically conductive weight rest within the gap, thereby allowing a size of the gap to dictate an angle of tilt required to allow the at least one electrically conductive weight to move out of the gap.

5. The tilt sensor of claim 2, wherein said at least one conductive weight is a single conductive weight.

6. The tilt sensor of claim 5, further comprising a non-conductive weight.

7. The tilt sensor of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element and a diameter of the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element are smaller than a diameter of the electrically insulative element.

8. The tilt sensor of claim 2, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is tube-like in shape, the distal portion having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element, the distal portion also having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the distal portion defines an exterior portion of a cylindrical gap located central to the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element.

9. The tilt sensor of claim 2, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is tube-like in shape, the distal portion having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element, the distal portion also having a top surface and an outer surface, where the top surface is perpendicular to the outer surface.

10. The tilt sensor of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative element is tube-like in shape.

11. The tilt sensor of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative element is square-like in shape.

12. A tilt sensor, comprising: a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element, wherein the first electrically conductive element further comprises: a distal portion and a proximate portion, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element extends in a direction away from the proximate portion, toward the second electrically conductive element, andwherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is hemispherical in shape;an electrically insulative element connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element; andat least one electrically conductive weight located within a cavity of the tilt sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element.

13. The tilt sensor of claim 12, wherein the second electrically conductive element further comprises a distal portion and a proximate portion, wherein the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element extends in a direction away from the proximate portion of the second electrically conductive element, toward the first electrically conductive element.

14. The tilt sensor of claim 13, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is separated from the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element by a gap, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive weight is not capable of falling into the gap.

15. The tilt sensor of claim 13, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is separated from the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element by a gap that is large enough to allow that at least one electrically conductive weight rest within the gap, thereby allowing a size of the gap to dictate an angle of tilt required to allow the at least one electrically conductive weight to move out of the gap.

16. The tilt sensor of claim 13, wherein said at least one conductive weight is a single conductive weight.

17. The tilt sensor of claim 16, further comprising a non-conductive weight.

18. The tilt sensor of claim 13, wherein a diameter of the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element and a diameter of the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element are smaller than a diameter of the electrically insulative element.

19. The tilt sensor of claim 13, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is tube-like in shape, the distal portion having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element, the distal portion also having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the distal portion defines an exterior portion of a cylindrical gap located central to the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element.

20. The tilt sensor of claim 12, wherein the electrically insulative element is tube-like in shape.

21. The tilt sensor of claim 12, wherein the electrically insulative element is square-like in shape.