Motor vehicle electrical system deactivating switch
First Claim
1. A motor vehicle electrical system deactivating device comprising a housing,a first chamber defined by said housing for normally containing a quantity of electrically conductive liquid,a first pair of electrical contact terminals attached to opposing housing end walls which partially define said first chamber, for electrical contact with each other through said liquid when said liquid is disposed in said first chamber,a second chamber defined by said housing and positioned above said first chamber,means for transferring said liquid from said first chamber to said second chamber when said housing is tilted by at least a minimum predetermined angle with the horizontal such that electrical continuity between said first pair of terminals is interrupted as a result of such tilting,a third chamber defined by said housing and located under said first chamber, andmeans for relocating said liquid from said first chamber to said third chamber upon application in at least one direction of a first impact force to a motor vehicle in which said housing is mounted such that electrical continuity between said first pair of terminals is interrupted as a result of said first force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle electrical system disconnect switch is disclosed which operates to disconnect the positive lead of the battery of a motor vehicle from its electrical system and to ground the positive lead of the vehicle alternator upon either the application of a decelerating impact force to the vehicle or a tilting of the vehicle by at least a minimum predetermined angle with the horizontal. The device includes a housing containing at least three hollow chambers, a first one of which normally carries an electroconductive liquid such as mercury. A pair of electrical terminals are mounted on opposing housing end walls which partially form the first chamber so that the terminals are normally electrically connected together through the liquid in the first chamber. When the terminals are so connected, the positive lead from the battery to the vehicle electrical circuit is complete. Upon tilting of the vehicle by a substantial angle, the liquid flows from the first chamber into a second chamber to open the positive lead and ground the alternator. Upon the application of an impact force to the vehicle, a block slidably disposed in a third chamber of the housing slides from a central position to one end of the third chamber to permit the liquid to drain from the first chamber to an unblocked portion of the third chamber to disconnect the battery. In one embodiment, the block slides by inertial action while, in another, the block is moved by an air cylinder.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A motor vehicle electrical system deactivating device comprising a housing,
a first chamber defined by said housing for normally containing a quantity of electrically conductive liquid, a first pair of electrical contact terminals attached to opposing housing end walls which partially define said first chamber, for electrical contact with each other through said liquid when said liquid is disposed in said first chamber, a second chamber defined by said housing and positioned above said first chamber, means for transferring said liquid from said first chamber to said second chamber when said housing is tilted by at least a minimum predetermined angle with the horizontal such that electrical continuity between said first pair of terminals is interrupted as a result of such tilting, a third chamber defined by said housing and located under said first chamber, and means for relocating said liquid from said first chamber to said third chamber upon application in at least one direction of a first impact force to a motor vehicle in which said housing is mounted such that electrical continuity between said first pair of terminals is interrupted as a result of said first force.
Specification