Tilt Limiting Detecting Apparatus

This invention relates to tilt limit detecting apparatus in general and more particularly to an improved tilt limit detector which is capable of withstanding higher degrees of shock and vibration.

A tilt limit detecting apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,556 in which a bubble level contains a prescribed amount of opaque fluid and a photo detector arrangement transverse to the longitudinal axis is provided to sense bubble movement in response to tilting of the device. The photo detector arrangement includes a pair of light source-photo cells combinations, the first of which is normally positioned at the center of the bubble in the level position with the second combination spaced the distance y from the first such that the distance y is less than the bubble length x. The opaque fluid acts as a shutter interposed between the light source-photocell combinations so that with the connection of suitable electronic circuitry to the photocells angular tilts in excess of the allowable limit which generally equals x/2 in radians are detected as well as the particular direction, clockwise or counterclockwise identified.

Although this device works well in some applications it suffers from a number of deficiencies. Since its principle of operation is based on bubble size i.e., the bubble length must be larger than the light source-photocell combination spacing, it is unsuitable for a switch with a great length of bubble travel, large tilt switching angles and consequently for a switch to endure environmental adversities. During shock and vibration the deformation of the bubble and its switching travel length are closely related. Thus, the switch disclosed in the aforementioned patent is not recommended for dynamically affected vehicles, platforms or devices. The described switch was designed primarily for a static condition.

In view of these deficiencies of the prior art device the need for an improved tilt limit detecting apparatus of this nature which is capable of operating with great lengths of bubble travel and is not susceptible to shock and vibration becomes evident.

The present invention provides such a tilt limit detecting apparatus. In accordance with the present invention a long vial filled with an opaque liquid with a bubble formed therein is utilized along with a photo detector arrangement which has a pair of light source-photo transistor combinations one at each vial end. At the level position of the switch the bubble remains in the center position of the vial. The degree of tilt which will result in the bubble moving to a point where it will intersect the light source-photo transistor combination and thus in a sense open the shutter, is a function of vial curvature. This controls the amount of tilt detected along with the amount of bubble movement. Theoretically, in a straight vial the length of travel tends toward infinity after the least amount of tilt. Because a long vial is used and the sensors placed at the ends in an adverse dynamic environment when at the central level position of the bubble, deformation of the bubble cannot reach far enough apart to intersect the light source-photo transistors combination and generate outputs. Similarly, angular deflection caused by a vibration frequency will not cause instantaneous bubble movement toward the vial ends.

In additin to its improved arrangement with respect to the length and placement of the detectors, the present invention provides another improvement which relates to the shape of the vial itself. Typically, in the prior art cylindrical shaped vials have been used. A problem results because of the angle at which the light on the light source-photo detector intersects the glass cylinder. Because of the angle of intersection, refraction through the glass becomes possible and repeatable results cannot always be assured. It must be remembered that the bubble is in the top of the vial and at that point the vial has a large degree of curvature. In accordance with the present invention a vial which does not have as great curvature at the point of intersection of the light from the light source is utilized. Such a vial may be in a square shape, rectangular shape, oval shape or the like. By so shaping the vial, problems and unwanted light being refracted through the vial are avoided.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal elevational view of the vial of the tilt limiting detecting apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 2a, b, and c are cross sections through the device of FIG. 1 illustrating various shapes which may be used in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the vial of the FIG. 1 illustrating the basic principle upon which the present invention operates.

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a similar view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a similar view illustrating a third possible embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 6 after being encased.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 7 illustrating the physical arrangement of the various elements of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the manner in which adjustment of the device of FIG. 8 may be carried out.

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevation view of the vial of the present invention. As illustrated, it includes a glass vial 11 which is filled with an opaque liquid 13 with enough air left to form a bubble 15. The vial shown is straight, i.e., it has no curvature. As noted above, such a vial, theoretically will result in the bubble 15 moving to infinity with the slightest amount of tilt. Generally, some curvature will be provided, the degree determined by the amount of angle which it is desired to detect. For small angles, the vial can be made with the curvature built in, i.e., it will be straight on the outside but have curved surfaces on the inside. For larger angles the whole vial itself may be curved.

FIGS. 2a, b, and c illustrated various cross sections which may be used for the vial 11 to avoid unwanted refraction through its walls. As illustrated by FIG. 2a the vial may be square or, as illustrated by FIG. 2b rectangular or, as illustrated by FIG. 2c in an oval shape.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which the detector light paths are arranged. Shown is a vial 11 containing opaque liquid 13 with a bubble 15. In this embodiment the vial is set up to measure tilts of 15.degree. to either side. Typically, the length dimension a would be 80 mm and the height dimension b 8 mm. This assumes the square cross section of FIG. 2a. The light sources and detectors are set up along the paths 19 and 21 respectively so as to intersect the vial at points 23 and 25. The positioning of the light source and photo detectors is carried out so that they accurately detect the desired angle, i.e., 15.degree..

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the vial present invention in combination with a light source-detector arrangement. This arrangement is designed to operate a relay 25 having a relay coil 25a and contacts 25b when the desired tilt is reached. Shown is the vial 11 filled with opaque fluid 13 and bubble 15 as described before. At the lines 19 and 21 of FIG. 3 the light source photo detector arrangements are placed. In the illustrated embodiment, the light sources comprise light emitting diodes 27 and 29 respectively. The light emitting diodes 27 and 29 are supplied with a positive voltage, preferably 25 volts through resistors 31 and 33 respectively. The detectors comprise photo transistors 35 and 37 respectively. The photo transistors have their collectors coupled through respective resistors 39 and 41 to the positive voltage source and have their emitters coupled to the respective bases of amplifier transistors 43 and 45. The transistors 43 and 45 have their emitters grounded and their collectors connected in common to one side of the relay coil 25a, the other side of which is connected to the positive voltage. If the vial 11 is tilted sufficiently to either side, the bubble 15 will move to a position where the light from one of the light emitting diodes 27 or 29 will intersect through the bubble along one of the lines 19 or 21 and fall on the photo transistors 35 or 37 causing it to turn on, and thereby turn on transistor 43 or 45 to operate the relay from which an indication may then be obtained. Also shown on the figure are small lenses 47 associated with each of the light emitting diodes and photo transistors.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention in which the final output is obtained from a light emitting diode 51 in this embodiment the transistors 43 and 45 are eliminated as is the relay 25. The emitters of the transistors 35 and 37 are connected directly to the light emitting diode 51. In other respects the circuit is the same although, it should be noted, it can be driven with a much lower voltage, e.g., 3 volts. A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by FIG. 6 which is almost identifical to FIG. 4 except that the collectors of the transistors 43 and 45 are connected to indicator lights 61 and 63 respectively having their other terminal connected to the positive voltage and indicating respectively left tilt and right tilt.

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective view apparatus such as that of FIG. 6 encased. The device has four terminals 62, 64, 65 and 67 corresponding to the same terminal numbers on FIG. 6. The arrangement of FIG. 4 may be obtained simply by connecting the terminal 67 and 65 together and to an appropriate output device, e.g., a relay. With the emboidment of FIG. 5, only one terminal in addition to the power terminals need be provided for the light emitting diode. Typical dimensions for the device of FIG. 7 include a base 69 having a width of approximately 0.875 inches [22.3 mm] and length of 2.25 inches [57.2 mm]. The overall height including the base and the cover 71 enclosing the vial and electronics can typically be 0.875 inches [22.3 mm]. Instead of the type terminals shown, a locking clip type connector may be provided. The base 69 includes on each side a mounting hole 73 so that it may be bolted into place.

FIG. 8 illustrated a plan view of the inside of the arrangement of FIG. 7. Mounted to the base 69 is a holder 75 for the vial 11. the vial is held in place in blocks 77, one being disposed at each end. The blocks contain cut outs for receiving the light emitting diodes 27 and 29 and photo transistors 35 and 37 respectively. Preferably, the blocks are made with threaded holes in their bottom and are secured in place by bolting from the bottom of the member 75 through slotted holes permitting alignment. The light emitting diodes and photo transistors, since they are contained within the block 77 cannot be seen on this figure. However, the transistors 43 and 45 are visible as are the resistors 31, 33, 39 and 41. During construction, the blocks 77 with their components are put in place, the vial placed in the cradle they form. Thereafter, the necessary wiring is carried out and the assembly, without the base 69 put on a test jig where known tilts can be established. The blocks 77 are then adjusted and tightened down so as to obtain an output at the desired angle of tilt whereafter epoxy 79 is used to insure everything stays in place. Thereafter, the cover 71 is placed on the device. This can be more clearly seen from the elevation view of FIG. 9, the blocks 77 form a cradle for the vial 11 an contain in opposite sides thereof [not shown] the respective light sources and photo transistors. The block 77 contain threaded holes 79 and the base 75 contains slotted holes 81 permitting bolts 83 to be inserted therethrough and the member 77 position back and forth on the test jig until the axes 19 and 21 established through the bubble 15 at the desired angle of tilt. Preferably, a threaded hole will be provided on each side thereby permitting adjustment both rotationally and longitudinally to obtain proper alignment.

Particularly when using a square or rectangular vial 11, it is possible to make the base 69 and blocks 77 in one piece and simply expoxy the vial 11 into place properly aligned with the base i.e., so as to be level. This substantially reduces cost without degrading performance appreciably.