US3748415A - Acceleration responsive switch with magnetic actuator means - Google Patents

Acceleration responsive switch with magnetic actuator means Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3748415A
US3748415A US00202310A US3748415DA US3748415A US 3748415 A US3748415 A US 3748415A US 00202310 A US00202310 A US 00202310A US 3748415D A US3748415D A US 3748415DA US 3748415 A US3748415 A US 3748415A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
acceleration
casing
bore
actuating means
switch actuating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00202310A
Inventor
M Suzuki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tokai Rika Co Ltd filed Critical Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3748415A publication Critical patent/US3748415A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
    • B60K28/10—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle 
    • B60K28/14—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle  responsive to accident or emergency, e.g. deceleration, tilt of vehicle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
    • H01H35/14—Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
    • H01H35/141—Details
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/02—Details
    • G01C9/06—Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
    • H01H35/14—Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding

Definitions

  • An acceleration responsive switching device which comprises a substantially generally cylindrical casing having formed a limited space over its upper peripheral surface and a substantially vertical bore with its one end open extending at a slight distance from a central portion of the limited space, acceleration sensing means accommodated in the limited space, a switch actuating means accommodated in the vertical bore and a switch element provided downwardly of the open end of the vertical bore.
  • the acceleration sensing and switch actuating means are composed of a permanent magnet and a magnet substance, respectively, and vice versa. With this arrangement, the acceleration responsive switching device is actuated by an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level encountered in such moving vehicle as an automobile.
  • This invention generally relates to a switching device and, more particularly, to an acceleration responsive switching device which is adapted to be actuated in response to an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level encountered in accordance with a driving condition of a moving vehicle such as an automobile.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an acceleration responsive switching device which is operable notwithstanding shocks and impacts and, particularly, vibrations which are all apt to be applied continuously thereto while driving.
  • the acceleration responsive switching device to achieve these object is basically made up of a substantially generally cylindrical casing having formed a limited space over its upper peripheral surface and a substantially vertical bore with its one end open extending at a slight distance from a central portion of the limited space, acceleration sensing means accommodated in the limitted space, a switch actuating means accommodated in the vertical bore and a switch element provided downwardly of the open end of the vertical bore.
  • the acceleration sensing and switch actuating means are composed of a permanent magnet and a magnet substance, respectively, and vice versa and, under an inoperative condition of the device, juxtaposed with each other with a relatively thin partition interposed therebetween.
  • FlGnl is a vertical sectional view showing a preferred example of the acceleration responsive switching device embodying the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical section of another preferred example of the device according to the present invention.
  • the acceleration responsive switching device comprises a substantially generally cylindrical casing designated by reference numeral 1.
  • the casing has formed its upper peripheral surface a reverse conical end wall 2 having a lowest or central portion b.
  • the reverse conical end'wall 2 of the casing 1 defines thereupon a chamber a in combination with a cap member 4 which is preferably threadedly fitted to the casing l, as is shown in the drawing.
  • An inner peripheral wall 5 of the cap member 4 is so configurated as to be equidistantly spaced from the vis-a-vis end wall 2 throughout the total area, viz a conical shape corresponding to the shape of the end wall 2.
  • the casing I has further formed therein a substantially vertical bore 3 with its lower end (not numbered) open and extending at a slight distance from the central portion b of the end wall 2, thus defining a relatively thin partition.
  • Designated by reference numeral 6 is a switch element or a microswitch disposed in a manner to close the open end of the vertical bore 3.
  • the microswitch 6 has self-returning push button 7 which is normally forced outwardly by a spring force, the push button 7 facing the vertical bore 3.
  • An acceleration sensing means or a weight ball 8 made of steel is snugly accommodated in the central portion b of the reverse conical end wall 2 due to its gravitation under normal condition; that is, when the acceleration applied is maintained within the predetermined level in magnitude.
  • the weight ball 8 is capable of moving substantially in all directions throughout the surface of the end wall 2.
  • the weight ball 8 is generally prevented from a vertical movement away from the reverse conical end wall 2 because of the conical configuration of the inner peripheral wall 5 of the cap member 4.
  • a switch actuating means adapted to actuate the microswitch 6 is composed of a permanent magnet 9 hav ing magnet poles at upper and lower ends thereof. This permanent magnet 9 is accommodated in the vertical bore 3 so as to be juxtaposed with the weight ball normally stationed at the central portion b of the end wall 2.
  • the weight ball 8 in the chamber a is positioned stationarily at the central portion b, as has precedingly described,
  • the permanent magnet 9 accommodated in the vertical bore 3 attracts in this instance the weight ball 8 existing immediately in the above. Since, however, the weight ball 8 is prevented from moving downwardly into the bore 3 by the partition interposed therebetween, the permanent magnet per se is urged upwardly and held in the uppermost portion of the vertical bore 3 in contact with an upper end wall (not numbered) of the bore 3. Consequently, the push button 7 is kept disengaged from the permanent magnet whereby the microswitch is actuated in an operative or inoperative condition.
  • the acceleration responsive switching device When, in operation, an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level is caused to the acceleration responsive switching device, the acceleration is detected by the weight ball 8 which is moved through its inertia away from the central portion b on the end wall 2 to, for example, a position indicated by a phantom line in the drawing. In this instance, losing an object for attraction, the permanent magnet 9 is urged downwardly in the bore 3 due to its gravity. The push button 7 then is brought into engagement with the permanent magnet and is pressed thereby with the result that the microswitch 6 is actuated.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates another preferred example of the acceleration responsive switching device embodying the present invention, in which the weight ball made of steel and the permanent magnet used in the preceding example are utilized as a switch actuating means and an acceleration sensing means, respectively, thus a modification being applied to the arrangement and structure of the device per se.
  • a substantially generally cylindrical casing designated by reference numeral 11 has formed a relatively deep cavity 12 which is open at the upper end (not numbered) and has a concave configuration of its bottom end wall 13. Indicated by reference numeral c is a lowest or central portion of the bottom end wall 12.
  • the casing l 1 has further formed a vertical bore 14 extending vertically with its lower end (not numbered) open and at a slight spacing from the central portion c of the bottom end wall 12, thus leaving a relatively thin partition between the cavity 12 and the bore 14.
  • a closure member 15 provided in a manner to close the upper open end of the cavity 12 is secured to the casing 11 by a cap member 16 which is fitted to the casing 11 preferably through threads, as is shown in the drawing.
  • a ball bearing surface 17 Centrally of the upper peripheral surface of the closure member 15 is formed a ball bearing surface 17 as a bore in which seated a rotatable spherical member 18.
  • the permanent magnet 20 fitted to the lower end of the rod 19 has its magnetic poles at the upper and lower ends, of which lower end faces the bottom end wall 13 of the cavity 12 at a suitable distance therefrom.
  • Designated by reference numeral 21 is a switch element or a microswitch which closes the open lower end of the vertical bore 14 in the same manner as has been illustrated in accordance with FIG. 1. Furthermore, the microswitch 21 has a self-returning push button 22 normally extruded into the bore 14. A weight ball 23 made of steel is movably accommodated in the bore 14 as a switch actuating means, being supported by the push button.
  • the permanent magnet 20 supported by the rotatable spherical member 18 through the rod 19 is allowed to have a similar movement to that of a bob fitted to a pendulum, but substantially in all directions with the spherical member 18 as a fulcrum, lt is to be understood that the permanent magnet has a stationary position, under the normal condition, corresponding to the lowest or central portion c of the bottom end wall 13.
  • the weight ball 23 made of steel functioning as the switch actuating means is capable of moving in the vertical direction in the bore 14 but, on the other hand, restrained of entering the cavity 12 by the partition provided therebetween.
  • the weight ball 23 is held in the uppermost portion of the vertical bore in contact with the upper end wall (not numbered) thereof due to a magnet force of the lower magnet pole so that the permanent magnet is also held unmoved.
  • the push button 22 of the microswitch 21 is maintained its extended position so as to keep the microswitch either operative or inoperative condition.
  • the permanent magnet 20 When, in turn, an acceleration exceeding a predtermined level in magnitude is applied to the acceleration responsive switching device under the above-described normal condition, the permanent magnet 20 is moved by its inertia away from the stationary portion to, for example, a position indicated by phantom line in the drawing. The weight ball 23 released from the magnetic attraction is then urged downwardly due to its gravity with the result that the push button is depressed and, accordingly, the microswitch is actuated.
  • an auxiliary support member may be provided downwardly of the vertical bore formed in the casing for the purpose of supplying an additional support for the switch actuating means actuating the switch element, as such will be applied to both of the examples shown in the present specification.
  • the acceleration responsive switching device is advantageous in that, since either one of the acceleration sensing means and the switch actuating means is composed of a permanent magnet with the other made of magnetic substance and they are juxtaposed with each other through a desirably thin partition provided therebetween, the acceleration sensing and the switch actuating means restrain each other of unnecessary movements yet without being brought into direct contact with each other with the result that the former and the latter are respectively prevented from dropping into the vertical bore and jumping into the chamber or cavity formed in the casing.
  • the switching operation accordinging to the present invention is performed through supporting the switch actuating means by the switch element, so that, as a whole, the device of this invention is capable of performing its operation promptly and yet with high accuracy notwithstanding shocks and impacts and, particularly, vibrations applied thereto under driving conditions of the moving vehicle.
  • An acceleration responsive switching device comprising in combination:
  • a casing having a limited space over the upper peripheral surface thereof, and a substantially vertical bore extending from a central portion of said limited space and separated therefrom by a partition, said bore having an open lower end;
  • an acceleration sensing means normally located in the central portion of said limited space and laterally displaceable therefrom in response to a predetermined magnitude of acceleration of said device
  • a switch actuating means freely movable in said bore and normally held at said partition by magnetic attraction between said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means, one of said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means comprising a permanent magnet and the other comprising a magnetically attractable member;
  • acceleration responsive switching device wherein said acceleration sensing means is a steel weight ball and said switch actuating means is a permanent magnet having magnet poles at the upper and lower ends thereof, said limited space accommodating said weight ball comprises a chamber formed by a reverse conical upper end wall of said casing and a cap member, said cap member being configurated in a conical shape corresponding to said reverse conical upper end wall of said casing and being fitted to said casing.
  • An acceleration responsive switching device wherein said acceleration sensing means is a permanent magnet having magnet poles at upper and lower ends thereof and said switch actuating means is a steel weight ball, said casing having a concave upper end wall, and further comprising a closure member fitted to the upper end of said casing and defining said limited space as a relatively deep cavity in combination with said concave upper end wall of said casing, a cap member securing said closure member to said casing, said closure member having a further bore formed centrally of its upper peripheral surface and defining a ball bearing surface, a rotatable spherical member seated on said ball bearing surface and a nonmagnetic rod having one end fitted to said spherical member and the other end holding said permanent magnet and extending midway into said cavity.
  • An acceleration responsive switching device wherein said switching element is a microswitch having a push button normally held in an extended conditin through a spring force.
  • An acceleration responsive switching device acvice.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Mechanical Vibrations Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Abstract

An acceleration responsive switching device which comprises a substantially generally cylindrical casing having formed a limited space over its upper peripheral surface and a substantially vertical bore with its one end open extending at a slight distance from a central portion of the limited space, acceleration sensing means accommodated in the limited space, a switch actuating means accommodated in the vertical bore and a switch element provided downwardly of the open end of the vertical bore. The acceleration sensing and switch actuating means are composed of a permanent magnet and a magnet substance, respectively, and vice versa. With this arrangement, the acceleration responsive switching device is actuated by an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level encountered in such moving vehicle as an automobile.

Description

United States Patent m1 Suzuki July 24, 1973 [54] ACCELERATION RESPONSIVE SWITCH 3,379,059 4/1968 Wiley ZOO/61.45 M ux WITH MAGNETIC ACTUATOR MEANS 3,397,372
Inventor: Masaru Suzuki, l-lekikai, Japan Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, Nishikasugai-gun, Japan Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 Appl. No.: 202,310
Assignee:
Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 28, 1970 Japan..... 45/118184 (utility model) 8/1959 Clurman ..200/6l.45M 6/1967 Maxwell ..335/205 8/1968 Maxwell ..335/205 Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn [57] ABSTRACT An acceleration responsive switching device which comprises a substantially generally cylindrical casing having formed a limited space over its upper peripheral surface and a substantially vertical bore with its one end open extending at a slight distance from a central portion of the limited space, acceleration sensing means accommodated in the limited space, a switch actuating means accommodated in the vertical bore and a switch element provided downwardly of the open end of the vertical bore. The acceleration sensing and switch actuating means are composed of a permanent magnet and a magnet substance, respectively, and vice versa. With this arrangement, the acceleration responsive switching device is actuated by an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level encountered in such moving vehicle as an automobile.
5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PAINTED- FIG.1
INVENTOR MAS/mu SuzuK/ BY WW flue/Mm ATTORNEY ACCELERATION RESPONSIVE SWITCH WITH MAGNETIC ACTUATOR MEANS This invention generally relates to a switching device and, more particularly, to an acceleration responsive switching device which is adapted to be actuated in response to an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level encountered in accordance with a driving condition of a moving vehicle such as an automobile.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved acceleration responsive switching device for use in a moving vehicle such as an automobile.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an acceleration responsive switching device which is operable notwithstanding shocks and impacts and, particularly, vibrations which are all apt to be applied continuously thereto while driving.
The acceleration responsive switching device to achieve these object is basically made up of a substantially generally cylindrical casing having formed a limited space over its upper peripheral surface and a substantially vertical bore with its one end open extending at a slight distance from a central portion of the limited space, acceleration sensing means accommodated in the limitted space, a switch actuating means accommodated in the vertical bore and a switch element provided downwardly of the open end of the vertical bore. lt is an important factor here in the present invention that the acceleration sensing and switch actuating means are composed of a permanent magnet and a magnet substance, respectively, and vice versa and, under an inoperative condition of the device, juxtaposed with each other with a relatively thin partition interposed therebetween.
These and other objects and advantages of the pres ent invention will be more clearly appreciated from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FlGnl is a vertical sectional view showing a preferred example of the acceleration responsive switching device embodying the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a vertical section of another preferred example of the device according to the present invention.
Referring to FlG. 1, there is shown a preferred example of the acceleration responsive switching device according to the present invention, which device comprises a substantially generally cylindrical casing designated by reference numeral 1. The casing has formed its upper peripheral surface a reverse conical end wall 2 having a lowest or central portion b. The reverse conical end'wall 2 of the casing 1 defines thereupon a chamber a in combination with a cap member 4 which is preferably threadedly fitted to the casing l, as is shown in the drawing. An inner peripheral wall 5 of the cap member 4 is so configurated as to be equidistantly spaced from the vis-a-vis end wall 2 throughout the total area, viz a conical shape corresponding to the shape of the end wall 2. The casing I has further formed therein a substantially vertical bore 3 with its lower end (not numbered) open and extending at a slight distance from the central portion b of the end wall 2, thus defining a relatively thin partition.
Designated by reference numeral 6 is a switch element or a microswitch disposed in a manner to close the open end of the vertical bore 3. The microswitch 6 has self-returning push button 7 which is normally forced outwardly by a spring force, the push button 7 facing the vertical bore 3.
An acceleration sensing means or a weight ball 8 made of steel is snugly accommodated in the central portion b of the reverse conical end wall 2 due to its gravitation under normal condition; that is, when the acceleration applied is maintained within the predetermined level in magnitude. The weight ball 8 is capable of moving substantially in all directions throughout the surface of the end wall 2.
It is to be noted here that the weight ball 8 is generally prevented from a vertical movement away from the reverse conical end wall 2 because of the conical configuration of the inner peripheral wall 5 of the cap member 4.
A switch actuating means adapted to actuate the microswitch 6 is composed of a permanent magnet 9 hav ing magnet poles at upper and lower ends thereof. This permanent magnet 9 is accommodated in the vertical bore 3 so as to be juxtaposed with the weight ball normally stationed at the central portion b of the end wall 2.
With this arrangement, while an acceleration is maintained within a predetermined level in magnitude, the weight ball 8 in the chamber a is positioned stationarily at the central portion b, as has precedingly described,
so that the permanent magnet 9 accommodated in the vertical bore 3 attracts in this instance the weight ball 8 existing immediately in the above. Since, however, the weight ball 8 is prevented from moving downwardly into the bore 3 by the partition interposed therebetween, the permanent magnet per se is urged upwardly and held in the uppermost portion of the vertical bore 3 in contact with an upper end wall (not numbered) of the bore 3. Consequently, the push button 7 is kept disengaged from the permanent magnet whereby the microswitch is actuated in an operative or inoperative condition.
When, in operation, an acceleration exceeding a predetermined level is caused to the acceleration responsive switching device, the acceleration is detected by the weight ball 8 which is moved through its inertia away from the central portion b on the end wall 2 to, for example, a position indicated by a phantom line in the drawing. In this instance, losing an object for attraction, the permanent magnet 9 is urged downwardly in the bore 3 due to its gravity. The push button 7 then is brought into engagement with the permanent magnet and is pressed thereby with the result that the microswitch 6 is actuated.
FIG. 2 illustrates another preferred example of the acceleration responsive switching device embodying the present invention, in which the weight ball made of steel and the permanent magnet used in the preceding example are utilized as a switch actuating means and an acceleration sensing means, respectively, thus a modification being applied to the arrangement and structure of the device per se.
A substantially generally cylindrical casing designated by reference numeral 11 has formed a relatively deep cavity 12 which is open at the upper end (not numbered) and has a concave configuration of its bottom end wall 13. Indicated by reference numeral c is a lowest or central portion of the bottom end wall 12. The casing l 1 has further formed a vertical bore 14 extending vertically with its lower end (not numbered) open and at a slight spacing from the central portion c of the bottom end wall 12, thus leaving a relatively thin partition between the cavity 12 and the bore 14. A closure member 15 provided in a manner to close the upper open end of the cavity 12 is secured to the casing 11 by a cap member 16 which is fitted to the casing 11 preferably through threads, as is shown in the drawing. Centrally of the upper peripheral surface of the closure member 15 is formed a ball bearing surface 17 as a bore in which seated a rotatable spherical member 18. A non-magnetic rod 19 secured at one end to the spherical member 18 extends midway into the cavity 12, having secured at the other end thereof a permanent magnet 20 functioning as an acceleration sensing means. The permanent magnet 20 fitted to the lower end of the rod 19 has its magnetic poles at the upper and lower ends, of which lower end faces the bottom end wall 13 of the cavity 12 at a suitable distance therefrom.
Designated by reference numeral 21 is a switch element or a microswitch which closes the open lower end of the vertical bore 14 in the same manner as has been illustrated in accordance with FIG. 1. Furthermore, the microswitch 21 has a self-returning push button 22 normally extruded into the bore 14. A weight ball 23 made of steel is movably accommodated in the bore 14 as a switch actuating means, being supported by the push button.
As will now be seen, the permanent magnet 20 supported by the rotatable spherical member 18 through the rod 19 is allowed to have a similar movement to that of a bob fitted to a pendulum, but substantially in all directions with the spherical member 18 as a fulcrum, lt is to be understood that the permanent magnet has a stationary position, under the normal condition, corresponding to the lowest or central portion c of the bottom end wall 13. Furthermore, the weight ball 23 made of steel functioning as the switch actuating means is capable of moving in the vertical direction in the bore 14 but, on the other hand, restrained of entering the cavity 12 by the partition provided therebetween.
Thus, under the inoperative condition of the device, the permanent magnet 20 being positioned in the central portion over the bottom end wall of the cavity 12, the weight ball 23 is held in the uppermost portion of the vertical bore in contact with the upper end wall (not numbered) thereof due to a magnet force of the lower magnet pole so that the permanent magnet is also held unmoved. Under this condition, the push button 22 of the microswitch 21 is maintained its extended position so as to keep the microswitch either operative or inoperative condition.
When, in turn, an acceleration exceeding a predtermined level in magnitude is applied to the acceleration responsive switching device under the above-described normal condition, the permanent magnet 20 is moved by its inertia away from the stationary portion to, for example, a position indicated by phantom line in the drawing. The weight ball 23 released from the magnetic attraction is then urged downwardly due to its gravity with the result that the push button is depressed and, accordingly, the microswitch is actuated.
It is to be noted that an auxiliary support member may be provided downwardly of the vertical bore formed in the casing for the purpose of supplying an additional support for the switch actuating means actuating the switch element, as such will be applied to both of the examples shown in the present specification.
It will now be appreciated from the foregoing description that the acceleration responsive switching device according to the present invention is advantageous in that, since either one of the acceleration sensing means and the switch actuating means is composed of a permanent magnet with the other made of magnetic substance and they are juxtaposed with each other through a desirably thin partition provided therebetween, the acceleration sensing and the switch actuating means restrain each other of unnecessary movements yet without being brought into direct contact with each other with the result that the former and the latter are respectively prevented from dropping into the vertical bore and jumping into the chamber or cavity formed in the casing. Furthermore, the switching operation acording to the present invention is performed through supporting the switch actuating means by the switch element, so that, as a whole, the device of this invention is capable of performing its operation promptly and yet with high accuracy notwithstanding shocks and impacts and, particularly, vibrations applied thereto under driving conditions of the moving vehicle.
What is claimed is:
1. An acceleration responsive switching device, comprising in combination:
a casing having a limited space over the upper peripheral surface thereof, and a substantially vertical bore extending from a central portion of said limited space and separated therefrom by a partition, said bore having an open lower end;
an acceleration sensing means normally located in the central portion of said limited space and laterally displaceable therefrom in response to a predetermined magnitude of acceleration of said device;
a switch actuating means freely movable in said bore and normally held at said partition by magnetic attraction between said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means, one of said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means comprising a permanent magnet and the other comprising a magnetically attractable member;
a switch element adjacent the open lower end of said bore and actuable by downward movement of said switch actuatingmeans theretoward resulting from said lateral displacement of said acceleration responsive means from said central portion.
2. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, wherein said acceleration sensing means is a steel weight ball and said switch actuating means is a permanent magnet having magnet poles at the upper and lower ends thereof, said limited space accommodating said weight ball comprises a chamber formed by a reverse conical upper end wall of said casing and a cap member, said cap member being configurated in a conical shape corresponding to said reverse conical upper end wall of said casing and being fitted to said casing.
3. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, wherein said acceleration sensing means is a permanent magnet having magnet poles at upper and lower ends thereof and said switch actuating means is a steel weight ball, said casing having a concave upper end wall, and further comprising a closure member fitted to the upper end of said casing and defining said limited space as a relatively deep cavity in combination with said concave upper end wall of said casing, a cap member securing said closure member to said casing, said closure member having a further bore formed centrally of its upper peripheral surface and defining a ball bearing surface, a rotatable spherical member seated on said ball bearing surface and a nonmagnetic rod having one end fitted to said spherical member and the other end holding said permanent magnet and extending midway into said cavity.
4. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, wherein said switching element is a microswitch having a push button normally held in an extended conditin through a spring force.
5. An acceleration responsive switching device acvice.

Claims (5)

1. An acceleration responsive switching device, comprising in combination: a casing having a limited space over the upper peripheral surface thereof, and a substantially vertical bore extending from a central portion of said limited space and separated therefrom by a partition, said bore having an open lower end; an acceleration sensing means normally located in the central portion of said limited space and laterally displaceable therefrom in response to a predetermined magnitude of acceleration of said device; a switch actuating means freely movable in said bore and normally held at said partition by magnetic attraction between said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means, one of said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means comprising a permanent magnet and the other comprising a magnetically attractable member; a switch element adjacent the open lower end of said bore and actuable by downward movement of said switch actuating means theretoward resulting from said lateral displacement of said acceleration responsive means from said central portion.
2. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, wherein said acceleration sensing means is a steel weight ball and said switch actuating means is a permanent magnet having magnet poles at the upper and lower ends thereof, said limited space accommodating said weight ball comprises a chamber formed by a reverse conical upper end wall of said casing and a cap member, said cap member being configurated in a conical shape corresponding to said reverse conical upper end wall of said casing and being fitted to said casing.
3. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, wherein said acceleration sensing means is a permanent magnet having magnet poles at upper and lower ends thereof and said switch actuating means is a steel weight ball, said casing having a concave upper end wall, and further comprising a closure member fitted to the upper end of said casing and defining said limited space as a relatively deep cavity in combination with said concave upper end wall of said casing, a cap member securing said closure member to said casing, said closure member having a further bore formed centrally of its upper peripheral surface and defining a ball bearing surface, a rotatable spherical member seated on said ball bearing surface and a non-magnetic rod having one end fitted to said spherical member and the other end holding said permanent magnet and extending midway into said cavity.
4. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, wherein said switching element is a microswitch having a push button normally held in an extended conditin through a spring force.
5. An acceleration responsive switching device according to claim 1, in which said casing is substantially cylindrical and has a concave upper surface, means including a cap threaded to said casing and spaced above said upper surface to define said limited space, said bore being aligned between said central portion and said switch element, said switch actuating means being longitudinally slidabLy disposed in said bore, whereby said magnetic attraction between said acceleration sensing means and switch actuating means tends to hold the acceleration sensing means at said central portion in the normal unaccelerated condition of said device.
US00202310A 1970-11-28 1971-11-26 Acceleration responsive switch with magnetic actuator means Expired - Lifetime US3748415A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1970118184U JPS5021617Y1 (en) 1970-11-28 1970-11-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3748415A true US3748415A (en) 1973-07-24

Family

ID=14730209

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00202310A Expired - Lifetime US3748415A (en) 1970-11-28 1971-11-26 Acceleration responsive switch with magnetic actuator means

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3748415A (en)
JP (1) JPS5021617Y1 (en)
DE (1) DE2158800B2 (en)
FR (1) FR2116154A5 (en)
GB (1) GB1359346A (en)

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3927286A (en) * 1972-06-13 1975-12-16 Foehl Artur Inertia type switch having bridging ball contactor and plural, concentric conductive ring array
FR2316977A1 (en) * 1975-07-07 1977-02-04 Repa Feinstanzwerk Gmbh EMERGENCY LOCKING DEVICE FOR SEAT BELT REELS
US4012611A (en) * 1975-03-03 1977-03-15 Cega, Inc. Inertia switch for anti-intrusion sensing systems
US4022998A (en) * 1972-06-13 1977-05-10 Foehl Artur Acceleration and retardation responsive electric control device
US4450326A (en) * 1981-10-19 1984-05-22 Ledger Curtis G Anti-theft vibration detector switch and system
US4507657A (en) * 1983-11-07 1985-03-26 Bates Kenneth C Apparatus for determining various operational conditions of an aircraft
US4901571A (en) * 1988-02-11 1990-02-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh Acceleration pickup
FR2644613A1 (en) * 1989-03-14 1990-09-21 Centaure Device for checking the ability of a person to drive a motor vehicle
US4988839A (en) * 1989-09-05 1991-01-29 Kennicott Joseph W Momentum activated electrical switch
DE3928119A1 (en) * 1989-08-25 1991-02-28 Autoflug Gmbh Mechanical energy store for seat belt mechanism - makes use of sensor-actuated ceramic bursting disc
US5028750A (en) * 1988-02-09 1991-07-02 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gmbh Impact sensor
US5192839A (en) * 1990-12-26 1993-03-09 Nsk Ltd. Acceleration sensor
US5209343A (en) * 1992-01-21 1993-05-11 Comus International Electrical tilt switch
US5373125A (en) * 1993-03-23 1994-12-13 Motorola, Inc. Switch assembly
US5410113A (en) * 1993-10-04 1995-04-25 Motorola, Inc. Motion sensing apparatus
US5669696A (en) * 1994-06-21 1997-09-23 Micro Craft, Inc. Underhood lamp assembly with gravity-actuated switch
US5722759A (en) * 1996-04-22 1998-03-03 Micro Craft, Inc. Lamp assembly with inverted pivot member
US5777290A (en) * 1996-07-08 1998-07-07 Harley-Davidson Motor Company Bank angle sensor
US5834649A (en) * 1994-01-10 1998-11-10 Omron Corporation Vibration sensor including a movable magnet positioned between stationary magnets
US20050161957A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2005-07-28 Mcguire Douglas J. Closure for a pressure vessel and method
US20050195091A1 (en) * 2004-03-08 2005-09-08 Nuvo Holdings, Llc Tilt Sensor Apparatus and Method Therefor
US20050195081A1 (en) * 2004-03-08 2005-09-08 Studnicki Adam A. Asset tag with event detection capabilities
US20070074956A1 (en) * 2005-10-01 2007-04-05 Joachim Koehler Rotary pull switch
US20070132411A1 (en) * 2005-12-09 2007-06-14 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh Multi-stage contactless switch
US20080068117A1 (en) * 2006-09-18 2008-03-20 E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau Gmbh Operating device for an electrical appliance and operating method
US20100007402A1 (en) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-14 Przemyslaw Chamuczynski Weatherproof switch for indoor and outdoor information clusters and function switches
US8263884B1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-09-11 Ibis Tek, Llc Tilt switch activated light for use with a vehicle egress

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2412807C3 (en) * 1974-03-16 1981-12-03 Albert 7972 Isny Steinmeier Acceleration limit switch
FR2296257A1 (en) * 1974-12-27 1976-07-23 Thomson Csf Shock operated electric switch - has pendulous mass annular magnet and microswitch to release contactor
GB8715089D0 (en) * 1987-06-26 1987-08-05 Birns Uk Ltd Electrical switches
DE4011996A1 (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-10-17 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag ACCELERATION SENSOR
GB2305296B (en) * 1995-09-18 1999-01-13 Inertia Switch Ltd Inertia switch
DE102021132862A1 (en) 2021-12-13 2023-06-15 MedienTeam Dresden GmbH Locking system with a lever system and at least one magnet

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898416A (en) * 1958-12-17 1959-08-04 Gordon W Wholey Inertia switch with time delay operation
US3283094A (en) * 1964-04-23 1966-11-01 Tait Mfg Co The Flow control valve and switch
US3325756A (en) * 1965-11-08 1967-06-13 Palmer M Maxwell Remotely controlled magnetic electric switch
US3379059A (en) * 1966-05-04 1968-04-23 Phillips Petroleum Co Flow meter with gravity and liquid sensing switches
US3397372A (en) * 1965-11-08 1968-08-13 Palmer M. Maxwell Proximity-magnetic means for operating microswitches
US3601729A (en) * 1969-11-03 1971-08-24 Western Sales Corp Switch assembly

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898416A (en) * 1958-12-17 1959-08-04 Gordon W Wholey Inertia switch with time delay operation
US3283094A (en) * 1964-04-23 1966-11-01 Tait Mfg Co The Flow control valve and switch
US3325756A (en) * 1965-11-08 1967-06-13 Palmer M Maxwell Remotely controlled magnetic electric switch
US3397372A (en) * 1965-11-08 1968-08-13 Palmer M. Maxwell Proximity-magnetic means for operating microswitches
US3379059A (en) * 1966-05-04 1968-04-23 Phillips Petroleum Co Flow meter with gravity and liquid sensing switches
US3601729A (en) * 1969-11-03 1971-08-24 Western Sales Corp Switch assembly

Cited By (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4022998A (en) * 1972-06-13 1977-05-10 Foehl Artur Acceleration and retardation responsive electric control device
US3927286A (en) * 1972-06-13 1975-12-16 Foehl Artur Inertia type switch having bridging ball contactor and plural, concentric conductive ring array
US4012611A (en) * 1975-03-03 1977-03-15 Cega, Inc. Inertia switch for anti-intrusion sensing systems
FR2316977A1 (en) * 1975-07-07 1977-02-04 Repa Feinstanzwerk Gmbh EMERGENCY LOCKING DEVICE FOR SEAT BELT REELS
US4103842A (en) * 1975-07-07 1978-08-01 Repa Feinstanzwerk Gmbh Locking sensor for belt retractor
US4450326A (en) * 1981-10-19 1984-05-22 Ledger Curtis G Anti-theft vibration detector switch and system
US4507657A (en) * 1983-11-07 1985-03-26 Bates Kenneth C Apparatus for determining various operational conditions of an aircraft
US5028750A (en) * 1988-02-09 1991-07-02 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gmbh Impact sensor
US4901571A (en) * 1988-02-11 1990-02-20 Robert Bosch Gmbh Acceleration pickup
FR2644613A1 (en) * 1989-03-14 1990-09-21 Centaure Device for checking the ability of a person to drive a motor vehicle
DE3928119A1 (en) * 1989-08-25 1991-02-28 Autoflug Gmbh Mechanical energy store for seat belt mechanism - makes use of sensor-actuated ceramic bursting disc
US4988839A (en) * 1989-09-05 1991-01-29 Kennicott Joseph W Momentum activated electrical switch
US5192839A (en) * 1990-12-26 1993-03-09 Nsk Ltd. Acceleration sensor
US5209343A (en) * 1992-01-21 1993-05-11 Comus International Electrical tilt switch
US5373125A (en) * 1993-03-23 1994-12-13 Motorola, Inc. Switch assembly
US5410113A (en) * 1993-10-04 1995-04-25 Motorola, Inc. Motion sensing apparatus
US5834649A (en) * 1994-01-10 1998-11-10 Omron Corporation Vibration sensor including a movable magnet positioned between stationary magnets
US5669696A (en) * 1994-06-21 1997-09-23 Micro Craft, Inc. Underhood lamp assembly with gravity-actuated switch
US5798912A (en) * 1994-06-21 1998-08-25 Micro Craft, Inc. Underhood lamp assembly with gravity-actuated switch
US5722759A (en) * 1996-04-22 1998-03-03 Micro Craft, Inc. Lamp assembly with inverted pivot member
US5777290A (en) * 1996-07-08 1998-07-07 Harley-Davidson Motor Company Bank angle sensor
US7341161B2 (en) 2002-07-02 2008-03-11 Robbins & Myers Energy Systems L.P. Closure for a pressure vessel and method
US20050161957A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2005-07-28 Mcguire Douglas J. Closure for a pressure vessel and method
US7598883B2 (en) 2004-03-08 2009-10-06 Sgs Technologies, L.L.C. Tilt sensor apparatus and method therefor
US7088258B2 (en) 2004-03-08 2006-08-08 Nuvo Holdings, Llc Tilt sensor apparatus and method therefor
US7190278B2 (en) 2004-03-08 2007-03-13 Nuvo Holdings, Llc Asset tag with event detection capabilities
US20050195081A1 (en) * 2004-03-08 2005-09-08 Studnicki Adam A. Asset tag with event detection capabilities
US20050195091A1 (en) * 2004-03-08 2005-09-08 Nuvo Holdings, Llc Tilt Sensor Apparatus and Method Therefor
US20070074956A1 (en) * 2005-10-01 2007-04-05 Joachim Koehler Rotary pull switch
US20070132411A1 (en) * 2005-12-09 2007-06-14 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh Multi-stage contactless switch
US20080068117A1 (en) * 2006-09-18 2008-03-20 E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau Gmbh Operating device for an electrical appliance and operating method
US7642886B2 (en) * 2006-09-18 2010-01-05 E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau Gmbh Operating device for an electrical appliance and operating method
US20100007402A1 (en) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-14 Przemyslaw Chamuczynski Weatherproof switch for indoor and outdoor information clusters and function switches
US8279029B2 (en) * 2008-07-10 2012-10-02 Flextronics Automotive, Inc. Weatherproof switch for indoor and outdoor information clusters and function switches
US8263884B1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-09-11 Ibis Tek, Llc Tilt switch activated light for use with a vehicle egress

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2158800B2 (en) 1978-01-26
GB1359346A (en) 1974-07-10
FR2116154A5 (en) 1972-07-07
JPS5021617Y1 (en) 1975-06-30
DE2158800A1 (en) 1972-05-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3748415A (en) Acceleration responsive switch with magnetic actuator means
US3097272A (en) Inertia switch
GB1440772A (en) Acceleration and retardation responsive control devices
US2869563A (en) Quasi-elastic magnetic device
EP0391582A3 (en) Extended dwell shock sensing device
US3106834A (en) Impact shock testing apparatus
SE8005589L (en) CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A FLUID LEVEL WARNING DEVICE FOR FLUID RESERVES
US2898415A (en) Inertia switch with holding pole and reset
US3769472A (en) Inertia sensor switch
US3132220A (en) Acceleration switch
US4022998A (en) Acceleration and retardation responsive electric control device
US2793260A (en) Switch
KR950024113A (en) Vibration sensor
US3732512A (en) Trip mechanism
GB1519698A (en) Acceleration sensor
US4489224A (en) Fluid level indicator
GB1239322A (en)
JPS5921333Y2 (en) Improvement of seismic valve device
US3368173A (en) Hermetically sealed, pressure responsive, magnetically actuated switch device
JP3706150B2 (en) Reed switch
US3226503A (en) Universal integrating accelerometer
RU1806330C (en) Level alarm
JP3427244B2 (en) Seismometer and gas meter
JPS6285871A (en) Acceleration detector
RU2260521C2 (en) Vehicle deceleration signaling device