Acceleration/deceleration sensing switch for munitions

Abstract

A discriminating deceleration sensing electrical switch assembly is enclosed within a munitions projectile for providing an electrical circuit path between a pair of electrical contacts upon deceleration of the projectile being greater than a selected deceleration threshold value. The discriminating deceleration electrical switch assembly includes a switch support having a bore hole for holding a spherical mass or ball. A tactile dome switch or snap switch is juxtaposed between an electrical contact assembly, including a pair of electrically conductive surface regions, and the spherical mass. The components are arranged along the munitions firing axis such that, upon sufficient deceleration along the firing axis, a force acting on the spherical mass will cause the dome switch to deform and contact the conductive surface regions to provide switch closure. Electrical wiring leading from the electrically conductive surface regions are intended to be electrically connected to a detonation control circuit so as to initiate detonation of the munitions. The switch may also be configured as an acceleration switch without the spherical mass and, alternatively as a combination acceleration/deceleration switch.