DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an electrical switch assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a housing 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 click sound due to an actuation of rocker by an operator. The electrical switch assembly typically includes a housing, the rocker, a spring coupled with the rocker, and a moving contact adapted to pivot in response to a toggling of the rocker.

[0003] However, a sound is typically generated in the electrical switch assembly due to striking of the moving contact with a portion of the housing when the toggling of the rocker is performed. Also, a plastic material of the rocker typically strikes the parts of the housing of the electrical switch assembly thereby creating noise. In addition, usually the electrical switch assemblies are of standard size which may not be altered. So, to make the electrical switch assembly more ergonomical, the impact of the rocker in the electrical switch requires control to reduce the sound generated from 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. The electrical switch assembly includes a housing, a pair of contact points, a rocker mechanism, and a moving contact. The pair of contact points is adapted to electrically couple to an electrical connection. The rocker mechanism is adapted to rest within the housing. The moving contact is operably coupled with the rocker mechanism. The moving contact further includes a first end coupled to a first contact point of the pair of contact points, and a second end adapted to toggle between an engaged position and a disengaged position with a second contact point in response to the pivoting of the rocker mechanism. Further, the electrical switch assembly includes a dampener disposed in the housing and adapted to contact the moving contact in the disengaged position to dampen the vibration and dampen the striking of the moving contact with the dampener.

[0006] The electrical switch assembly of the present disclosure may have modulated click sound that aids in modulation of the noise or the sound. The electrical switch assembly as disclosed in present invention facilitates in reduction of an amplitude of the sound while the moving contact strikes the portion of the housing due to the presence of the dampener. In addition, the dampener is disposed of within the housing without altering any of the parameters of the housing thereby making a design and shape of the electrical switch assembly compact. The toggling of the electrical switch assembly is dampened thereby modulating and reducing the amplitude of the sound/noise produced while switching.

[0007] 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 is 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

[0008] 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:

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a dampener of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0012] Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the dampener of the electrical switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0014] 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

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.”

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, an electrical switch assembly 100 is shown. The electrical switch assembly 100 may be employed to a switch-ON or a switch-OFF condition by an operator for an electrical appliance. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 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.

[0024] The electrical switch assembly 100 may include a housing 102, a pair of contact points 103 adapted to electrically couple to an electrical connection, and a rocker mechanism 104 adapted to rest within the housing 102. In addition, the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a moving contact 106 operably coupled with the rocker mechanism 104. The moving contact 106 may be adapted to move in an engaged and a disengaged position in response to a movement of the rocker mechanism 104. In addition, the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a dampener 107 disposed in the housing 102. The dampener 107 may be adapted to contact the moving contact 106 in the disengaged position.

[0025] In an example, the housing 102 may be made of at least one of a thermoplastic, or a ceramic material, to facilitate mounting of one or more parts on a surface. In an illustrated embodiment, the housing 102 may be adapted to be fixed on an installation surface such as a wall, a ceiling, or a mount of a machine. The installation surface may include, but is not limited to, a wall and a switchboard mounted on the wall. Further, the housing 102 may be adapted to accommodate various sub-components of the electrical switch assembly 100.

[0026] In addition, the rocker mechanism 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a rocker 108, a base plate 110 to facilitate the mounting of the rocker 108, and a spring 112 coupled with the rocker 108. In an illustrated embodiment, the rocker 108 of the rocker mechanism 104 may be adapted to rest inside the housing 102 and adapted to pivot between an ON-state and an OFF-state to facilitate a switching of the electrical switch assembly 100.

[0027] Further, the base plate 110 of the rocker mechanism 104 of the electrical switch assembly 100 facilitates the mounting of the rocker 108 and accommodates a pivotal movement of the rocker 108 with reference to the base plate 110 in the ON-state and the OFF-state in response to the inputs received by the operator for the electrical switch assembly 100. The spring may include a first end 112a coupled with the rocker and a second end 112b disposed opposite to the first end 112a. The second end 112b of the spring 112 may be coupled with the moving contact 106 to facilitate the pivoting of the moving contact 106. In addition, the spring 112 may be coupled with the rocker 108 of the rocker mechanism 104 and adapted to buckle in response to the pivoting of the rocker mechanism 104 in response to the actuation by the operator.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 2, the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a first pillar 114 adapted to electrically and mechanically couple with a main source of electrical power (not shown), and a second pillar 118 adapted to selectively couple with the first pillar 114 upon the actuation of the rocker 108 by an operator. Further, the first pillar 114 is adapted to mechanically and electrically couple with a first contact point 103a of the pair of contact points 103. Similarly, the second pillar is adapted to electrically and mechanically couple with a second contact point 103b of the pair of contact points 103.

[0029] In addition, the moving contact 106 of the electrical switch assembly 100 is operably coupled with the rocker 108 of the rocker mechanism 104. The actuation of the rocker 108 of the rocker mechanism 104 facilitates the buckling of the spring 112. The buckling of the spring facilitates the pivotal movement of the moving contact 106 for facilitating the actuation of the electrical circuits.

[0030] The moving contact 106 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a first end 120 coupled to the first contact point 103a of the pair of contact points 103. In addition, the moving contact 106 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a second end 122 disposed opposite to the first end 120 of the moving contact 106. The second end 122 of the moving contact 106 may be adapted toggle between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the second contact point 103b in response to the pivoting of the rocker 108 of the rocker mechanism 104.

[0031] Further, the moving contact 106 may include a rivet 124 disposed proximate to the second end 122 of the moving contact 106. The rivet 124 may be adapted to abut the second contact point 103b of the second pillar when the rocker 108 may be positioned in an ON-state configuration. In an embodiment, when the rocker 108 of the rocker assembly 104 may be positioned in an OFF-state configuration, the rivet 124 of the moving contact 106 may be adapted to be positioned in a spaced apart configuration from the second contact point 103b. In another embodiment, when the rocker 108 of the rocker mechanism 104 may be positioned in an OFF-state configuration, the rivet 124 of the moving contact 106 may be adapted to strike the dampener 107 of the electrical switch assembly 100.

[0032] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the dampener 107 of the electrical switch assembly 100 is shown. Specifically, Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a dampener of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the dampener of the electrical switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] The dampener 107 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may be disposed in the housing 102 and adapted to contact the moving contact 106 in the disengaged position to dampen the vibration and dampen the striking of the moving contact 106 with the dampener 107. In another embodiment, the dampener 107 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may be disposed in the housing 102 and adapted to contact the rivet 124 of the moving contact 106 while the moving contact 106 may be positioned in the disengaged position. This dampens the vibration and dampen the striking of the rivet 124 of the moving contact 106 with the dampener 107.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the dampener 107 may include a first portion 130 adapted to couple with the base plate 110 and a second portion 132 disposed opposite to the first portion 130 to facilitate the installation of the moving contact 106. As shown, the first portion 130 defines a first surface 134 of the dampener 107 and the second portion 132 defines a second surface 136 of the dampener 107.

[0035] The first portion 130 of the dampener 107 is adapted to couple with a portion of the base plate 110 within the housing 102 of the electrical switch assembly 100. The first portion 130 of the dampener 107 may include a pair of sidewalls 138 to facilitate the coupling of the dampener 107 with the base plate 110 of the housing 102. In addition, the first portion 130 of the dampener 107 may include a slot 140 extending between the pair of sidewalls 138. The slot 140 in the first portion of the dampener 107 with the housing 102 of the electrical switch assembly 100. As shown, the slot 140 may include an opening 146 to facilitate the positioning of the dampener 107 within the housing 102 while installing the dampener 107 within the housing.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the second portion 132 defines the second surface 136 disposed parallel and spaced apart from the first portion 130. The second portion 132 facilitates the resting of the moving contact 106 when the moving contact 106 is positioned in the disengaged position. In another embodiment, the rivet 124 of the second portion 132 facilitates the resting of the moving contact 106 when the moving contact 106 is positioned in the disengaged position when the rocker is positioned in the OFF-state configuration.

[0037] The second portion 132 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may include a pair of sidewalls 144 disposed parallel and spaced apart from one another. In addition, the second portion 132 of the electrical switch assembly 100 may include an opening 146 extending centrally along the second portion 132 and extending between the pair of sidewalls 144. The opening 146 facilitates the resting of a rivet 124 of the moving contact 106 while the moving contact 106 is positioned in the disengaged position. In addition, the second portion 132 of the moving contact 106 may include a protruding portion 148 extending outwardly from the opening 146 such that the opening 146 is disposed between the pair of sidewalls 144 and the protruding portion 148.

[0038] In an embodiment, the dampener 107 may be made of at least one of a polycarbonate material, a polypropylene material, a rubber, a nylon, and a flexible material. In this manner, the rivet 124 of the moving contact may be adapted to rest and strike on the opening 146 thereby dampening the vibration and dampen the striking of the moving contact 106 while striking.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, the electrical switch assembly 100 prevents the modulates the noise into ergonomic click sound while the moving contact 106 strikes the portion of the housing 102 due to the presence of the dampener 107. In addition, the dampener 107 is disposed within the housing 102 without altering any of the parameters of the housing 102 thereby making the design and shape of the electrical switch assembly 100 compact. The toggling of the electrical switch assembly 100 and the striking of the moving contact 106 with the dampener 107 results in modulating and reducing the amplitude of the sound/noise produced while toggling 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);
a pair of contact points (103) adapted to electrically couple to an electrical connection;
a rocker mechanism (104) adapted to rest within the housing (102);
a moving contact (106) operably coupled with the rocker mechanism (104), the moving contact (106) comprising a first end (120) coupled to a first contact point (103a) of the pair of contact points (103), and a second end (122) adapted to toggle between an engaged position and a disengaged position with a second contact point (103b) in response to the pivoting of the rocker mechanism (104); and
a dampener (107) disposed in the housing (102) and adapted to contact the moving contact (106) in the disengaged position to dampen the vibration and dampen the striking of the moving contact (106) with the dampener (107).

2. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rocker mechanism (104) comprising:
a rocker (108) adapted to pivot in an on-state and an off-state; and
a spring (112) coupled with the rocker (108) and adapted to buckle in response to the pivoting of the rocker (108).

3. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spring (112) includes a first end (112a) coupled with the rocker (108) and a second end (112b) disposed opposite to the first end (112a) and coupled with the moving contact (106) to facilitate the pivoting of the moving contact (106).

4. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dampener (107) comprising:
a first portion (130) defining a first surface (134) and is adapted to couple with the housing (102) of the electrical switch assembly (100); and
a second portion (132) defining a second surface (136) disposed parallel and spaced apart from the first portion (130), wherein the second portion (132) facilitates the resting of the moving contact (106) when the moving contact (106) is positioned in the disengaged position.

5. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first portion (130) of the dampener (107) comprising:
a pair of sidewalls (138) to facilitate the coupling with the housing (102); and
a slot (140) extending between the pair of sidewalls (138) to facilitate the coupling of the dampener (107) with the housing (102) of the electrical switch assembly (100).

6. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second portion (132) of the electrical switch assembly (100) comprising:
a pair of sidewalls (144);
an opening (146) extending centrally along the second portion (132) and extending between the pair of sidewalls (144), wherein the opening (146) facilitates the resting of a rivet (124) of the moving contact (106) while the moving contact (106) is positioned in the disengaged position; and
a protruding portion (148) extending outwardly from the opening (146), wherein the protruding portion (148) and the pair of sidewalls (144) defines an enclosure around the opening (146).

7. The electrical switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dampener (107) is made of at least one of a polycarbonate material, a polypropylene material, a rubber, a nylon, and a flexible material.