or: “Analog Tilt Sensor“

Instead of treating each conductive petal contact of the this fabric tilt sensor as an individual digital input, the petals are connected through a series of fixed resistances (conductive thread or fabric with a high resistance) and the last or first petal is this resistor ladder is connected to an analog input. Or: the bead is connected to an analog pin and the ends of the resistor ladder are connected to GND and VCC to create a voltage divider (just like inside a potentiometer). Depending on which petal the metal bead rests on, the analog reading will be unique.

The problem with this design is that the electrical contact between the bead and the petal needs to be really good (no resistance), so that no additional resistance interferes with interpreting the position of the bead based on where along the resistor ladder it is making contact.

Flickr set >> https://www.flickr.com/photos/plusea/sets/72157670215172850