Methode Electronics, Inc.
ELECTRONIC ACCELEROMTER-BASED TILT SWITCH FOR VEHICLES

Abstract:

An electronic accelerometer-based tilt switch for vehicles is capable of controlling the state of an electrical circuit according to the angle of inclination of the switch, for example to control power to a lamp. The switch includes a housing mountable to a vehicle member that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the vehicle member is in the first position it is at a predetermined angle of inclination versus when the vehicle member is in the second position. The housing may include an accelerometer and a control circuit to receive signals from the accelerometer indicative of an instant angle of inclination of the vehicle member and to switch the state of the electrical circuit between first and second states corresponding to first and second positions of the vehicle member.