DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an electrical switch assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly adapted to dampen a sound generated during an actuation of the electrical switch assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Typically, an electrical switch produces a noise due to a buckling of a spring when a rocker assembly of the electrical switch is actuated by an operator. The electrical switch assembly typically includes a housing, the rocker assembly, the spring coupled with the rocker assembly, and a moving contact adapted to pivot in response to a toggling of the rocker assembly.

[0003] However, the usage of the electrical switch assembly may result in an unwanted sound generated by an impact of moving parts and the buckling of the spring within the electrical switch assembly. The rocker assembly is the moving part and the striking and the buckling of the spring within the rocker assembly creates a noise. The noise of the rocker assembly is due to the hard material of the rocker assembly that tends to produce noise with the buckling of the spring. However, many switch manufacturers have used some softer materials but they reduce the operation cycle of the rocker assembly resulting in a reduced lifespan of the electrical switch assembly.

SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an electrical switch assembly including a housing, and a rocker assembly disposed within the housing and adapted to pivot in an on-state and an off-state. The rocker assembly comprises a first portion defining a planner surface, a spring coupled with the first portion of the rocker assembly and adapted to buckle in response to the pivoting of the first portion. In addition, the rocker assembly includes a pocket portion extending orthogonally from the first portion and facilitates a resting of the spring, and a cap adapted to couple to an end of the pocket portion. The cap is adapted to absorb a vibration of the bucking of the spring in response to the pivoting of the rocker assembly.

[0006] The present disclosure also relates to a rocker assembly adapted to pivot between an on-state and an off-state for an electrical switch assembly. The rocker assembly includes a first portion defining a planner surface, a pocket portion to facilitate a resting of a spring, and a cap adapted to couple to an end of the pocket portion. The cap is adapted to absorb a vibration of the bucking of the spring in response to the pivoting of the rocker assembly in the on-state and the off-state.

[0007] The cap of the rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly facilitates a polymeric coating of the pocket portion of the rocker assembly thereby preventing any breakage of the hard material of the rocker assembly. In addition, the sound produced by the buckling of the spring is dampened and modulated due to the material difference between the rocker assembly and the cap. The cap being made of a polymeric material and the rocker assembly being made of hard material to facilitate an increased life of the electrical switch assembly. Further, an amplitude of a sound/noise produced while buckling the spring is reduced and modulated without changing any material of the rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly.

[0008] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of an electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a side perspective view of a rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a cap adapted to be coupled with the rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the cap adapted to be coupled with the rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the cap adapted to be coupled with the rocker assembly of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0017] Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0018] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

[0019] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0020] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

[0021] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[0022] Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

[0023] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

[0024] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1, an exploded view of an electrical switch assembly 100 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical switch assembly 100 may be employed to a switch-ON or a switch-OFF conditions by an operator for an electrical appliance. The electrical application for the electrical switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a doorbell switch, a machine switch, an emergency switch, or any other electrical switching application, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] The electrical switch assembly 100 may include a housing 102, a pair of contact points adapted to electrically couple to an electrical connection, a rocker assembly 104 adapted to rest within the housing 102. In addition, the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a spring 106 coupled with the rocker assembly 104 and adapted to buckle with the rocker assembly 104 in response to a pivoting of the rocker assembly 104.

[0028] Further, the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a moving contact 108 operably coupled with the rocker assembly 104. In an embodiment, the moving contact 108 may be mechanically coupled with the spring 106 and may be adapted to move in an engaged and a disengaged position in response to the pivoting motion of the rocker assembly 104. The moving contact 108 may facilitate an electrical coupling of the electrical switch assembly 100 in response to the buckling of the spring 106.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100 is shown. Specifically, Figure 2 illustrates a side perspective view of the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] As shown, the rocker assembly 104 may include a first portion 110 defining a planer surface extending longitudinally. The first portion 110 of the rocker assembly 104 may be adapted to couple with a cover 111 adapted to be actuated by an operator. In addition, the first portion 110 of the rocker assembly 104 may include a first surface 112 adapted to face towards the cover 111, and a second surface 114 disposed opposite to the first surface 112.

[0031] Further, the rocker assembly 104 may include a pocket portion 116 extending orthogonally and outwardly from the second surface 114 of the first portion 110, and a cap 117 adapted to couple with the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104. The pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104 may define a hollow shape configuration to facilitate a resting of the spring 106 within the pocket portion 116.

[0032] In an embodiment, the pocket portion 116 may include a pair of sidewalls 118 disposed parallel and spaced apart from one another. The pair of sidewalls 118 may include a space extending between the pair of sidewalls 118. The spring 106 may be adapted to rest inside the pocket portion 116 such that the spring 106 may be adapted to buckle in response to the pivoting/toggling of the rocker assembly 104. The pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104 may define a hollow cylindrical shape configuration to facilitate the positioning of the spring 106 within the pocket portion 116. The pocket portion 116 may be adapted to include a protrusion (not shown) disposed on an outer surface of the pocket portion 116 to facilitate a locking of the cap 117.

[0033] The pair of sidewalls 118 of the pocket portion 116 may include a protrusion 120 disposed on an outer surface 122 of the pair of sidewalls 118. The protrusion 120 may be disposed orthogonally on the outer surface 122 of the pocket portion 116. The protrusion 120 facilitates the positioning and locking of the cap 117 on the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104. In an illustrated embodiment, the cap 117 may be adapted to rest on the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104 is shown.

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cap 117 adapted to be coupled with the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the cap 117 adapted to be coupled with the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the cap 117 adapted to be coupled with the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] As shown, the cap 117 may include a first portion 123 adapted to be attached with the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104. The first portion 123 may define a surface of the cap 117 to facilitate the positioning of the cap 117 on the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104. In addition, the cap 117 may include a plurality of arms 124 extending outwardly from the first portion 123 such that the plurality of arms 124 may be adapted to couple with the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104. In an embodiment, the plurality of arms 124 is adapted to extend orthogonally from the first portion 123. The plurality of arms 124 is adapted to encapsulate the pocket portion 116 to facilitate the positioning of the cap 117 on the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104.

[0036] The plurality of arms 124 of the cap 117 may include an opening 126 to facilitate the resting of the protrusion 120 of the pocket portion 116. The opening 126 in the plurality of arms 124 of the cap 117 may facilitate the locking of the cap 117 on the protrusion 120 of the pocket portion 116. In an embodiment, the cap 117 may be made of at least one of a polycarbonate material, a polypropylene material, a rubber, a nylon, and a flexible material.

[0037] The toggling of the first portion 110 of the rocker assembly 104 may facilitate in buckling of the spring 106. As the spring 106 is adapted to rest inside the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104, the spring buckles in response to the actuation of the rocker assembly 104. In an embodiment, the buckling of the spring 106 may occur inside the pocket portion 116. The pocket portion 116 may be covered with the cap 117 to dampen the sound of the spring 106 while buckling. The cap 117 may be made of polymeric material that facilitates modulating and reducing an amplitude of the sound/noise produced while buckling of the spring 106 may be performed.

[0038] The cap 117 of the present disclosure may facilitate a polymeric coating of the pocket portion 116 of the rocker assembly 104 thereby preventing any breakage of hard material of the rocker assembly 104. The cap 117 may be made of a polymeric material and the rocker assembly 104 may be made of hard material thereby facilitating an increased life of the electrical switch assembly 100.

[0039] In addition, the sound produced by the buckling of the spring 106 may be dampened and modulated due to the material difference between the rocker assembly 104 and the cap 117. Further, the amplitude of the sound/noise produced while buckling the spring 106 may be reduced and modulated without changing any material of the rocker assembly 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100.

[0040] While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. An electrical switch assembly (100) comprising:
a housing (102); and
a rocker assembly (104) disposed within the housing (102) and adapted to pivot in an on-state and an off-state, the rocker assembly (104) comprising:
a first portion (110) defining a planner surface;
a spring (106) coupled with the first portion (110) of the rocker assembly (104) and adapted to buckle in response to the pivoting of the first portion (110);
a pocket portion (116) extending orthogonally from the first portion (110) and facilitating a resting of the spring (106); and
a cap (117) adapted to couple to an end of the pocket portion (116), wherein the cap (117) is adapted to absorb the vibration of the bucking of the spring (106) in response to the pivoting of the rocker assembly (104).

2. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap (117) comprises:
a first portion (123) adapted to be attached to the pocket portion (116), wherein the first portion (123) defines a planer surface of the cap (117); and
a plurality of arms (124) extending outwardly from the first portion (123) such that the plurality of arms (124) is adapted to couple with the pocket portion (116) to facilitate the positioning of the cap (117) on the rocker assembly (104).

3. The electrical switch assembly (100) further comprising a moving contact (108) mechanically coupled with the spring (106), the moving contact facilitates the electrical coupling of the electrical switch assembly (100) in response to the buckling of the spring (106).

4. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap (117) is made of at least one of a polycarbonate material, a polypropylene material, a rubber, a nylon, and a flexible material.

5. A rocker assembly (104) adapted to pivot in an on-state and an off-state for an electrical switch assembly (100), the rocker assembly (104) comprising:
a first portion (110) defining a planner surface;
a pocket portion (116) to facilitate a resting of a spring (106); and
a cap (117) adapted to couple to an end of the pocket portion (116), wherein the cap (117) is adapted to absorb the vibration of bucking of the spring in response to the pivoting of the rocker assembly (104) in an on-state and an off-state.

6. The rocker assembly (104) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cap (117) comprises:
a first portion (123) adapted to be coupled to the pocket portion (116) of the rocker assembly (104), wherein the first portion (123) defines a surface of the cap (117); and
a plurality of arms (124) extending orthogonally from the first portion (123), wherein the plurality of arms (124) is adapted to encapsulate the pocket portion (116) to facilitate the positioning of the cap (117) on the rocker assembly (104).

7. The rocker assembly (104) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pocket portion (116) defines a hollow cylindrical shape configuration having a protrusion disposed on an outer surface (122) of the pocket portion (116) to facilitate locking of the cap (117).

8. The rocker assembly (104) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pocket portion (116) includes a pair of sidewalls (118) disposed parallel and spaced apart, wherein the pair of sidewalls (118) includes a protrusion (120) to facilitate the locking of the cap (117).

9. The rocker assembly (104) as claimed in claim 7 and claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of arm (124) of the cap (117) includes an opening (126) to facilitate a resting of the protrusion (120) of the pocket portion (116) to facilitate the locking of the cap (117) on the pocket portion (116).