DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a switch assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an improved operating panel of the switch assembly.

BACKGROUND

Commonly, electrical switches are employed for operating a wide range of appliances by controlling a flow of current to such appliances. In particular, the electrical switches are employed in electrical circuits to divert or interrupt the flow of current toward the appliances, thereby switching ON or switching OFF such appliances.

Currently, an existing switch assembly includes an operating panel, a rocker, a housing, etc. The operating panel is adapted to be pivotally moved relative to the housing, upon applying a pushing force on the operating panel. The operating panel is adapted to be pressed/pushed to move the rocker of the switch assembly. The rocker is adapted to be pivotally moved to operate the switch assembly in an ON-state and an OFF-state.

However, the existing configuration of the switch assembly has limitations, that, when the operating panel is pressed by a user to operate the switch assembly from the ON state to the OFF state (contact-making condition) and vice versa (contact-breaking condition), there is a possibility that the operating panel travel a long distance. Further, the operating panel establishes direct contact with an edge of the rocker. This configuration results in the generation of noise while operating the operating panel. Thus, this configuration increases discomfort for the user.

Hence, in view of the above, it is desirable to develop a configuration of the switch assembly which eliminates the above-mentioned problem while ensuring the safety of the user.

SUMMARY

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 and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes at least one rocker and at least one operating panel. The at least one operating panel is adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker. The at least one operating panel includes a base member and a plurality of side walls. The base member is adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker of the switch assembly. The plurality of side walls is formed at a periphery of the base member and extended towards the at least one rocker with respect to the base member. The plurality of side walls includes a protruded portion. The protruded portion includes a first side and a second side. The first side and the second side are formed such that a top end is defined between intersecting edges of the first side and the second side and adapted to dampen noise when the at least one operating panel is operated in a plurality of directions.

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

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:

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of at least one operating panel of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 4A-4B illustrate an operation of the at least one operating panel in a plurality of directions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, a plurality of 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 benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of a plurality of features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of the plurality of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “plurality of features” or “plurality of elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “plurality of” 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 plurality of...” or “plurality of elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

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 plurality 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.

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, plurality of particular features and/or elements described in connection with plurality of 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 plurality of 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.

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.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of at least one operating panel 102 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure discloses the switch assembly 100 which may be employed in houses, corporate buildings and similar premises for operating various electronic devices and electrical appliances, such as household appliances, laptops, computers etc. Further, the switch assembly 100 may be employed to switch ON and/or switch OFF an operation of the electrical appliances or electronic devices. The switch assembly 100 may be adapted to be mounted on an installation surface, for example, a wall, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, at least one rocker 202 and the at least one operating panel 102. In an embodiment, the at least one rocker 202 may be supported on a mounting plate 208, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the at least one operating panel 102 may be supported on the at least one rocker 202. Further, the at least one operating panel 102 may be attached to the mounting plate 208. In an embodiment, a plurality of cover strips 104 may be disposed on the mounting plate 208 adjacent to the at least one operating panel 102. Further, the plurality of cover strips 104 may be disposed on the mounting plate 208 such that the cover stripes 104 adapted to cover an area adjacent to the at least one operating panel 102 ensuring the safety of a user.

In an embodiment, the at least one operating panel 102 may be embodied in a rectangular shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the at least one operating panel 102 may be embodied in any other shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the at least one operating panel 102 may include, but is not limited to, a base member 302, a plurality of side walls 304, and a plurality of edge walls 306. The base member 302 may be adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker 202. The base member 202 includes an upper portion 302a and a lower portion 302b. Further, the plurality of edge walls 306 may be adapted to be extended towards the at least one rocker 202 from the upper portion 302a and the lower portion 302b.

In an embodiment, the plurality of side walls 304 may be formed at a periphery of the base member 302. The plurality of side walls 304 may be in contact with the plurality of edge walls 306 and the base member 302. The plurality of side walls 304 may be extended towards the at least one rocker 202. In an embodiment, the plurality of side walls 304 may include a protruded portion 308. The protruded portion 308 may be formed at a periphery of the plurality of side walls 304.

In an embodiment, the protruded portion 308 may be formed at a predetermined angle A with respect to the plurality of side walls 304. In an embodiment, the predetermined angle A may be in a range from 5 degrees to 10 degrees, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In such embodiment, the protruded portion 308 may include a first side 308a and a second side 308b. The first side 308a and the second side 308b may be disposed at the predetermined angle A, with respect to the plurality of side walls 304. Further, the first side 308a and the second side 308b may have a predetermined length L. The predetermined length L of the first side 308a and the second side increases gradually towards a centre BB’.

Further, the first side 308a may be oppositely inclined with respect to the second side 308b. The first side 308a and the second side 308b may be formed such that a top end 308c may be defined between intersecting edges of the first side 308a and the second 308b. In an embodiment, the top end 308c may be defined at the centre BB’ of the switch assembly 100. Further, the top end 308c may be formed opposite to the base member 302. The top end 308c may be extended towards the at least one rocker 202 from the periphery of the plurality of side walls 304. Further, the protruded portion 308 may be adapted to dampen noise in the switch assembly 100, when the at least one operating panel 102 may be adapted to operate in a plurality of positions.

The operation of the protruded portion 308 to dampen the noise in the switch assembly 100 is explained in subsequent paragraphs in conjunction with Figures 4A-4B.

Figures 4A-4B illustrate an operation of the at least operating panel 102 in a plurality of directions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the at least one operating panel 102 may be adapted to be pushed/pressed to move in a downward direction with respect to the installation surface. Further, the at least one operating panel 102 may be adapted to pivotally move with respect to the mounting plate 208 in the plurality of directions to actuate the at least one rocker 202. The actuation of the at least one rocker 202 results in the operation of the switch assembly 100 in one of the ON state and the OFF state.

In such embodiment, when the at least one operating panel 102 may operate in at least one direction from the plurality of directions to actuate the at least one rocker 202, the second side 308b and the top end 308c may be adapted to rest on a surface of the at least one rocker 202 to dampen the noise in the switch assembly 100. Particularly, this configuration eliminates direct contact between an edge of the at least one rocker 202 and a body of the at least one operating panel 102, during the operation of the at least one operating panel 102. Further, this configuration also reduces the travel time of the at least one operating panel 102 towards the at least one rocker 202. Therefore, this configuration ensures the dampening of the noise generated during the operation of the at least one operating panel 102.

Further, when the at least one operating panel 102 may operate in another direction from the plurality of directions to actuate the at least one rocker 202, the first side 308a and the top end 308c adapted to rest on the surface of the at least one rocker 202 to dampen the noise in the switch assembly 100. Particularly, this configuration eliminates direct contact between the edge of the at least one rocker 202 and the body of at least one operating panel 102, during the operation of the at least one operating panel 102. Further, this configuration also reduces travel time of the at least one operating panel 102 towards the at least one rocker 202. Therefore, this configuration ensures the dampening of the noise generated during the operation of the at least one operating panel 102.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure ensures a simple configuration of the at least one operating panel 102 having the protruded portion 308. The protruded portion 308 eliminates the direct contact between the edge of the at least one rocker 202 and the body of at least one operating panel 102, during the operation of the at least one operating panel 102. The protruded portion 308 further reduces the travel time of the at least one operating panel 102 towards the at least one rocker 202.Therefore, this configuration ensures the dampening of the noise generated during the operation of the at least one operating panel 102. Further, the present configuration of the at least one operating panel 102 reduces the predetermined angle A of the protruded portion 308 with respect to the plurality of side walls 304 as compared to the existing switch assembly. This configuration also ensures soft movement of the at least one operating panel 102, thus maintaining the working of the switch assembly 100. Thus, the at least one operating panel 102 is an improved operating panel as compared to the existing operating panel.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, 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. A switch assembly (100), comprising:
at least one rocker (102);
at least one operating panel (202) adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker (102) and comprising:
a base member (302) adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker (202);
a plurality of side walls (304) formed at a periphery of the base member (302) and extended towards the at least one rocker (202) with respect to the base member (302), wherein:
the plurality of side walls (304) comprises a protruded portion (308), the protruded portion (308) comprises a first side (308a) and a second side (308b), the first side (308a) and the second side (308b) are formed such that a top end (308c) is defined between intersecting edges of the first side (308a) and the second side (308b) and adapted to dampen noise, when the at least one operating panel (102) is operated in a plurality of positions.

2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protruded portion (308) is formed at a predetermined angle with respect to the plurality of side walls (304).

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first side 308a and the second side 308b may have a predetermined length L, the predetermined length L increases towards a centre BB’.

4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top end (308c) is defined at the center (BB’) of the switch assembly (100) and opposite to the base member (302), and the top end (308c) is extended towards the at least one rocker (202) from the periphery of the plurality of side walls (304).

5. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle A is in the range from 5 degrees to 10 degrees.

6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the at least one operating panel (102) operates in at least one direction from the plurality of directions, the second side (308b) and the top end (308c) are adapted to rest on a surface of the at least one rocker (202) to dampen the noise in the switch assembly (100).

7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the at least one operating panel (102) operates in another direction from the plurality of directions, the first side (308a) and the top end (308c) are adapted to rest on a surface of the at least one rocker (202) to dampen the noise in the switch assembly (100).

8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of edge walls (306) adapted to be extended towards the at least one rocker (202) from an upper portion (302a) and a lower portion (302b) of the base member (302).

9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of side walls (304) is in contact with the plurality of edge walls (306) and the base member (304).