Automotive inertia switch and method of using the same

摘要

The inertia switch includes a switch body in which a weight is disposed, with a nest in the body at one end of the weight, and a spring biasing the weight towards the nest. A wiper contact at the other end of the weight is movable with respect to at least two contact terminals according to the movement of the weight. In an un-tripped state of the switch, a tip of the weight is biased by the spring into the nest, and the wiper contact makes an electrical connection between the contact terminals. Upon a rapid change in the acceleration of the switch, during e.g. crash, the switch moves to a tripped state where the tip is dislodged from the nest and the electrical connection between the contact terminals is broken.