A basic tilt sensor, also known as a tilt switch or tilt sensor switch, is a simple electronic component that detects changes in orientation or tilt. It consists of a small conductive ball (sometimes made of metal) inside a small tube or cavity. The tube has two or more contacts at the ends, and these contacts are connected to an electrical circuit.
Here's how it works:
Initial Position: In the default or initial position, the conductive ball rests at the lowest point of the tube, and it bridges the gap between the two contacts. This establishes an electrical connection between the contacts, allowing current to flow through the circuit.
Change in Orientation: When the tilt sensor is tilted or oriented in a different direction, the conductive ball moves due to gravity and rolls away from the contacts, breaking the electrical connection between them.
Open/Closed State: The movement of the ball results in two states:
Open State: When the tilt sensor is tilted, the ball moves away from the contacts, and the circuit becomes open. This means current can no longer flow through the sensor, and the circuit behaves as if a switch has been opened.
Closed State: When the tilt sensor returns to its initial position (held upright), the ball rolls back to the bottom, reconnecting the contacts. The circuit is closed again, and current can flow freely.
Detecting Orientation Change: The tilt sensor can be used to detect changes in orientation by connecting it to a circuit that interprets the open and closed states. For example, it can be connected to a microcontroller or a simple circuit that triggers an action (like turning on a light, sounding an alarm, or logging data) when the tilt switch is triggered.
Tilt sensors are widely used in various applications, such as in alarm systems, robotics, toys, electronic games, and devices that need to detect changes in orientation. They are low-cost and easy to use, making them suitable for many simple orientation-sensing tasks.