Patent ID: 6336658
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B60R,G01P,H01H

Abstract:
An acceleration switch comprising:a substrate; a first contact formed on the substrate; a chip attached to the substrate, wherein the chip includes: a movable part that moves between an open position and a closed position depending on the level of acceleration being applied to the switch, said movable part comprising: a first inertia weight; a first beam that supports the first inertia weight at a position that is offset from the center of gravity of the first inertia weight; a second inertia weight, wherein the second inertia weight is lighter than the first inertia weight, and the second inertia weight supports the second contact; and a second beam that connects the first inertia weight to the second inertia weight; and a second contact supported by the movable part, wherein the movable part is located in an open position, at which the second contact is spaced from the first contact, when the level of acceleration applied to the switch is below a predetermined level, and the movable part moves to a closed position, at which the second contact touches the first contact, when the level of acceleration applied to the switch exceeds the predetermined level.