Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multifunction switch assembly that is operable to achieve a pre-defined number of momentary contacts and latched contacts.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Several types of switches are used in vehicles, such as two-wheelers and four-wheelers, for activating and controlling numerous functions in the vehicle. Such switches are adapted to operate and control a plurality of functions such as operating indicator signals and headlamps, selecting high or low beams, locking components of the vehicle, and similar functions, for a hassle-free driving experience.
[0003] Currently, the switches in vehicles are implemented with high-current conventional metal contact. In the existing state of the art, a switching mechanism, for a latching function, is implemented with a spring and a steel ball to latch at a detent. In addition, the existing switches having two or more switch modules, are installed in multiple positions for performing various functions, and thereby causing space constraints.
[0004] One such existing switch discloses a multiple-position switch assembly having two or more switch modules. Each switch module is suited as an individual switch module for use in a two-way switch assembly. Two switch modules of the same kind, but complementary to one another, may be combined, such that the two combined switch modules form a four-way switch assembly. Each switch module includes control elements pivotally or movably connected to a base. Each of the control elements is associated with a switching element. In the four-way switch assembly, the control elements are arranged in an antiparallel arrangement, and each can be alternately actuated by a common actuator. Upon being actuated, the control elements pivot or move to actuate the corresponding switching element. The actuator is movable along four actuating directions oriented in a cross-shaped manner with regard to one another.
[0005] Another existing switch discloses a support box and an operating button which may pivot inside the support box to establish various temporary electric contacts between the base of the button, and the base of the support box. The switch has four different positions, including one rest position. Two end contacts may be made by operating the button in one direction or the other about a pivot by pressing on one end the button or the other. Further, a central contact is formed by pressing the button at a center of the button. In each case, the button is returned to its neutral position by a central coil spring held in an annular groove on the underside of the button.
[0006] However, the existing assemblies for switches are not configured for low-current applications. Such assemblies have a micro switch and a metal contact, and only one silicone pad is used for a single operation. In addition, the existing latching mechanism switches may be vertically mounted on a wall. However, the disadvantage associated with this mechanism is their larger width hence, occupying a significant amount of space.
[0007] Therefore, in view of the problems mentioned above, it is advantageous to provide a switch assembly with multiple functions to overcome the limitations known in the state of the art.
SUMMARY

[0008] 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.
[0009] To overcome or at least mitigate one of the problems mentioned above in the existing switch assemblies, a multifunction switch assembly is needed.
[00010] In an embodiment of the present invention, a multifunction switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a contact pad comprising a plurality of pairs of contact pills for facilitating at least one momentary contact and at least one latching contact with a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed at a base of the assembly. The plurality of pairs of contact pills is arranged in a non-coplanar manner and in a pre-defined geometric orientation on the contact pad. The multifunction switch assembly includes a latching mechanism for facilitating a latching operation of at least one pair of contact pills. The latching mechanism is provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of orientation of the assembly.
[00011] The disclosed multifunction switch assembly is configured to be operated for low current applications such as for generating electronic signals. The assembly provides better haptics, and the force applied on the switch may be optimized. Another advantage of the multifunction switch assembly includes a plurality of latching contacts and momentary contact which return to the original position automatically. The auto return of the multifunction switch assembly is implemented with the one silicone pad pill contact.
[00012] 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
[00013] 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:
[00014] Figure 1A illustrates a side view of a vehicle having a multifunction switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00015] Figures 1B and 1C illustrate different detailed views of the multifunction switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00016] Figures 1D and 1E illustrate different side views of the multifunction switch assembly indicating a latching mechanism configured for facilitating a latching operation for at least one pair of contact pills, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00017] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a contact pad including the plurality of pairs of contact pills arranged in a pre-defined geometric orientation for facilitating at least one momentary contact and at least one latching contact, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00018] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrates partial sectional views of the multifunction switch assembly, along with the contact pad including the plurality of pairs of contact pills arranged in the pre-defined geometric orientation, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[00019] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the multifunction switch assembly and its functions symbolically marked on an external casing of the multifunction switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00020] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. 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
[00021] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, 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 invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.
[00022] 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 invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[00023] 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.”
[00024] 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 invention. 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 invention fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.
[00025] 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.
[00026] 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 invention.
[00027] 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.
[00028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00029] For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present invention 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.
[00030] Figure 1A illustrates a side view of a vehicle 101 having a multifunction switch assembly 101, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1B and 1C illustrate different detailed views of the multifunction switch assembly 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1D and 1E illustrate different side views of the multifunction switch assembly 101 indicating a latching mechanism, configured for facilitating a latching operation for at least one pair of contact pills, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction switch assembly 101 may equipped in the vehicle 100. The multifunction switch assembly 101 is adapted to control or perform one or more functions of the vehicle 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the multifunction switch assembly 101 may be adapted to be operated for performing or controlling at least three functions of the vehicle 100, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[00031] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 may be an Internal Combustion Engine (IDE) vehicle, an Electric Vehicle (EV) 100 or a battery powered vehicle 100 or a hybrid vehicle including, and not limited to two-wheelers such as scooters, mopeds, motorbikes/motorcycles; three-wheelers such as auto-rickshaws, and four-wheelers. The four-wheelers include cars and other Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs).
[00032] Referring to Figures 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E, the switch assembly 101 may include a contact pad 102, a printed circuit board (PCB) 104, a base 106, a first actuator 108, a second actuator 110, a spring actuated ball 112, a socket 114, a light-emitting diode (LED) 116, a housing 118, and an external casing 120. Herein, the LED 116 may be adapted to be illuminated to indicate an operational status of the switch assembly 101. In the subsequent paragraphs, the multifunction switch assembly 101 may be interchangeably referred to as the switch assembly 101, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[00033] The first actuator 108 encapsulated by the external casing 120 may be adapted to be manually actuated by a user to operate the switch assembly 101. The external casing 120 may include a first side 120-1 and a second side 120-2. In an embodiment, the first side may be a left side of the external casing 120 and, the second side 120-2 may be a right side of the external casing 120. The PCB 104 may be disposed at the base 106 of the switch assembly 101. The PCB 104 may be adapted to selectively receive a portion of the contact pad 102. The contact pad 102 may include a plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC for facilitating the at least one momentary contact and the at least one latching contact with the PCB 104. In an embodiment, the contact pad 102 may be embodied as a silicone pad 102, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC may be arranged in a non-coplanar manner and in a pre-defined geometric orientation on the contact pad 102.
[00034] Figure 1D illustrates a side view of the switch assembly 101 indicating a latching mechanism configured for facilitating a latching operation for the at least one pair of contact pills AA, BB, CC. In the illustrated embodiment, the external casing 120 may include a center pivot and, may be adapted to be operated in a rocker (commonly referred to as see-saw) arrangement. The plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC may be manually actuated by using the external casing 120. Herein, the external casing 120 encapsulates the first actuator 108 and the second actuator 110. The first actuator 108 and the second actuator 110 may structurally supported by an external housing 118. In an embodiment, the first actuator 108 and the second actuator 110 may be arranged in a stacked manner.
[00035] In an embodiment, the switch assembly 101 may be configured for performing multiple functions associated with the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 101 may be formed as a combination of three switches and may be adapted to be operated for performing three functions associated with the vehicle 100. The at least two pairs of contact pills AA, BB amongst the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC, may be adapted to perform two functions, such as a first function and a second function. The at least one pair of contact pill CC amongst a plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC may be adapted to perform a third function.
[00036] In an embodiment, the at least two pairs of contact pills AA, BB may be positioned on a first side 228 of the contact pad 102 to perform the first function and the second function. Herein, one of the pair of contact pills AA may be adapted to form a momentary contact with the PCB 10 to perform the first function. The other pair of the contact pills BB may be adapted to form a latching contact with the PCB 104 to perform the second function. Further, the at least one pair of contact pill CC may be positioned on a second side 230 of the contact 102 to perform the third function. In the illustrated embodiment, referring to Figure 1D, the first side 228 may be a left side 228 of the contact pad 102 and the second side 230 may be a right side 230 of the contact pad 102.
[00037] In one embodiment, the first function and the second function of the switch assembly 101 including one latching operation and one auto return operation, i.e., a momentary operation, may be performed on one side of the pivot of the switch assembly 101. The third function, i.e., a momentary operation, may be performed on the other side of the pivot of the switch assembly 101.
[00038] The latching contact and the momentary contacts may be formed by the plurality of pairs of conductive contact pills AA, BB, CC. For the momentary contact, when the external casing 120 is manually actuated, the force applied by a user is transferred from the external casing 120 to the first actuator 108, wherein the manual force is further transmitted from the first actuator 108 to the second actuator 110 due to the stacked arrangement of the first actuator 108 and the second actuator 110. The actuation of the first actuator 108 to the second actuator 110 facilitates the momentary pressing action of a pre-defined set of contact pills amongst the contact pills AA, BB, CC. The latching mechanism may be operated to facilitate the latching contact of one of the contact pills AA, BB, CC via the spring actuated ball 112 and a socket 114 arrangement of the latching mechanism.
[00039] The switch assembly 101 may include the latching mechanism for facilitating the latching operation of at least one pair of contact pills BB. The latching mechanism may be provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of orientation of the switch assembly 101. The latching mechanism may include the spring actuated ball 112 and a socket arrangement. Further, the socket arrangement may include the plurality of sockets 114. Herein, each socket 114 may be embodied as a slot provided in the external casing 120.
[00040] The spring actuated ball 112 and the socket arrangement may be housed within the external casing 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring actuated ball 112 may be horizontally integrated with the first actuator 108 and the plurality of sockets 114 may be provided within an inner wall of the external casing 120. In an embodiment, the spring actuated ball 112 may be formed of a metallic material such as steel, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In such an embodiment, owing to use of the metallic material, the frictional forces between the spring actuated ball 112 and the socket 114 may be reduced. As indicated in Figures 1A and 1B, the arrangement of the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC and horizontal orientation of the latching mechanism may ensure reduced space consumption and thereby, facilitates improved packaging efficiency of the switch assembly 101 in the vehicle 100. The latching operation and the momentary operation of the switch assembly 101 are explained in detail with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3.
[00041] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the contact pad 102 showing the arrangement of the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC for facilitating the at least one momentary contact and the at least one latching contact with the PCB 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switch assembly 101 may include the contact pad 102. The contact pad 102 may include the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC adapted to form the contact with the PCB 104. In an embodiment, the contact may be the at least one momentary contact or at least one latching contact.
[00042] In an embodiment, the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC may be the silicone-based contact pill assembled in such a way that the contact pills AA, BB, CC may be operated twice to generate one or more different outputs. Herein, at least one output may be generated by the contact pills AA, BB and one output may be generated by the contact pills CC.
[00043] In an embodiment, the plurality of pairs of contact pills BB may include the latching mechanism and also provides the auto return operation. The pair of contact pills BB for latching contact may be arranged on a different plane than the pair of contact pills AA for momentary contact. Herein, the non-coplanar arrangement of the pair of contact pills BB for latching contact and the pair of contact pills AA for momentary contact facilitate simultaneous electrical contact with the PCB 104 for a pre-defined period of time. Further, the at least one pair of contact pills CC amongst the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB, CC, is provided on the opposite side (the right side) of the PCB 104.
[00044] The pair of contact pills CC may be adapted to form the momentary contact with PCB 104. The pair of contact pills CC may return to an original and unactuated position, automatically. The pair of contact pills BB with latching contact may remain in an actuated position through the latching mechanism. The latching mechanism may facilitate the latching operation of the at least one pair of contact pills BB. The latching mechanism may be provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of orientation of the switch assembly 101.
[00045] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrates partial sectional views of the multifunction switch assembly 101, along with the contact pad 102 comprising the plurality of pairs of contact pills AA, BB CC arranged in the pre-defined geometric orientation for facilitating at least one momentary contact and at least one latching contact, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the switch assembly 101 may be explained with an example below and in reference to Figures 1B, 2, and 3.
[00046] As mentioned above with reference to Figure 1B, the first actuator 108 may be configured to transmit a manual force applied on the external casing 120, by a user, to the second actuator 110 for the actuation of one or more pairs of the plurality of contact pills AA, BB, CC. Herein, the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 may be aligned with the first side 228 of the contact pad 102, and the second side 120-2 of the external casing 120 may be aligned with the second side 230 of the contact pad 102. The pairs of the plurality of contact pills AA, BB may be actuated when the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 is pressed, and the plurality of contact pills CC may be actuated when the second side 120-2 of the external casing 120 is pressed.
[00047] When the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 may be pressed downwardly, the force due to the pressure on the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 gets transferred to the first actuator 108. The first actuator 108 may transmit the force applied on the external casing to the second actuator 110 for the actuation of one or more pairs of the plurality of contact pills AA, BB. The second actuator 110 may further push the contact pad 102. A bottom part of the contact pad 102 may include the pair of contact pills AA which when pushed by the first actuator 108 touches a conductive grid of the PCB 104. Herein, the pair of contact pills AA may form the contact with the PCB 104 and thereby provides an electrical signal. When the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 is released, the switch assembly 101 may regain its original position automatically and disconnect from the PCB 104.
[00048] Further, when the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 of the switch assembly 101 may be further pressed down on the first side 120-1. The second actuator 110 further pushes the contact pad 102, such that the pair of pills BB form the momentary contact with the PCB 104 and thereby provides an electrical signal. Herein, the pair of pills BB remains in the latch contact with the PCB 104. The momentary contact between the contact pills CC and the grid of the PCB 104 may be formed until the external casing 120 may be released manually.
[00049] In another operation, when the second side 120-2 of the external casing 120 of the switch assembly 101 is pressed downwardly, the force may be transferred to the first actuator 108. The first actuator 108 transmits the force applied on the external casing 120 to the second actuator 110 for the actuation of the pairs of the plurality of contact pills CC. The second actuator 110 further pushes the contact pad 102, such that the pair of pills CC form the momentary contact with the PCB 104 and thereby provides an electrical signal. When the second side 120-2 of the external casing 120 may be released, the switch assembly 101 may regain its original position automatically and disconnect from the PCB 104.
[00050] Due to the arrangement of plurality of pair of contact pills AA, BB, CC in the non-coplanar manner and in the pre-defined geometric orientation on the contact pad 102, the pair of contact pills AA and CC with momentary contacts may return to the original and unactuated position automatically. The pair of contact pills BB with latching contact may remain in an actuated position through the latching mechanism.
[00051] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the switch assembly 101 and the functions symbolically marked on the external casing 120 of the multifunction switch assembly 101, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switch assembly 101 as disclosed may be a combination of three switches and the signals therefrom may be adapted to perform three functions. The first and the second functions of the switch assembly 101 may be performed on one side (first side 228) of a pivot 425 of the switch assembly 101. The third function may be configured on the other side (second side) of the pivot 425 of the switch assembly 101. In one embodiment, the first and the second functions of the switch assembly 101 may include one latching operation and another auto return momentary operation. The third function may include the auto return momentary operation.
[00052] In an example, one of the first and the second functions of the switch assembly 101 performed on the first side 228, may be a kill operation 424 and a lock operation 422, respectively. When first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 may be pressed, the switch assembly 101 gets latched to the kill operation 424 and the force due to the left press, is transferred to the second actuator 110 and then to contact pad 102. Further, the contact pills AA from the momentary electrical contact with the PCB 104 and thereby, provides electrical signals. The electrical signals generated may be used for the kill operation 424 that may be configured for turning a motor off in the vehicle 100. When the first side 120-1 of the external casing 120 is further pressed down, another momentary contact is formed between contact pills BB and the PCB 104 for generating the electrical signal. The electrical signals may be used to perform the lock operation 422 that may be configured for electromechanically locking the handle of the vehicle 100. When the second side 120-2 is pressed downwardly, the contact pills BB may be disconnected from the PCB 104.
[00053] Further, when the second side 120-2 of the external casing 120 of the switch assembly 101 is pressed down, the force due to the pressure on the second side 120-2 of the external casing 120 gets transferred to the first actuator 108. The first actuator 108 further pushes the contact pad 102 to touch the PCB 104, and thereby provides an electrical signal. The electrical signals may be used for turning the motor of the vehicle 100. The moment the external casing 120 is released or unpressed, the switch assembly 101 retains its original position 426 automatically and disconnects the electrical signal from the PCB 104.
[00054] Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed methods, processes, modules, devices, systems, and computer program products may be readily implemented, fully or partially, in software using, for example, object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer platforms. Alternatively, embodiments of the disclosed methods, processes, modules, devices, systems, and computer program products can be implemented partially or fully in hardware using, for example, standard logic circuits or a very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design. Other hardware or software can be used to implement embodiments depending on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the systems, the particular function, and/or particular software or hardware system, microprocessor, or microcomputer being utilized.
[00055] In this application, unless specifically stated otherwise, the use of the singular includes the plural and the use of “or” means “and/or.” Furthermore, use of the terms “including” or “having” is not limiting. Any range described herein will be understood to include the endpoints and all values between the endpoints. Features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc., within the scope of the invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.
[00056] List of reference numerals:
Components Reference numerals
Vehicle 100
Multifunction switch assembly 101
Contact Pad 102
Printed Circuit Board 104
Base 106
First Actuator 108
Second Actuator 110
Spring Actuated Ball 112
Socket 114
LED 116
Housing 118
External casing 120
First side of external casing 120-1
Second side of external casing 120-2
A plurality of pair of contact pills AA, BB, CC
First side of contact pad 228
Second side of contact pad 230
Lock operation 422
Kill operation 424
Pivot 425
On operation 426 , Claims:1. A multifunction switch assembly (101), the switch assembly (101) comprising:
a. a contact pad (102) comprising a plurality of pairs of contact pills (AA, BB, CC) for facilitating at least one momentary contact and at least one latching contact with a printed circuit board (104) disposed at a base (106) of the assembly (101), wherein the plurality of pairs of contact pills (AA, BB, CC) are arranged in a non-coplanar manner and in a pre-defined geometric orientation on the contact pad (102); and
b. a latching mechanism for facilitating a latching operation of at least one pair of contact pills (BB), wherein the latching mechanism is provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of orientation of the assembly (101).

2. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pairs of contact pills (AA, BB, CC) are manually actuated using an external casing encapsulating a first actuator (108) and a second actuator (110) which are arranged in a stacked manner.

3. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator (108) and the second actuator (110) are structurally supported by an external housing (118).

4. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator (108) transmits the manual force applied on the external casing to the second actuator (110) for the actuation of one or more pairs of the plurality of contact pills (AA, BB, CC).

5. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two pairs of contact pills amongst the plurality of pairs of contact pills (AA, BB, CC) are provided on one side of the contact pad (102), whereby one of the pair of contact pills (AA) is a momentary contact and the other pair of the contact pills (BB) is a latching contact.

6. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one pair of contact pills (BB) with latching contact are arranged in the non-coplanar manner in comparison to the one pair of contact pills (AA) with momentary contact, whereby the non-coplanar arrangement of the one pair of contact pills (BB) with latching contact and the one pair of contact pills (AA) with momentary contact facilitate simultaneous electrical contact with the printed circuit board (104) for a pre-defined period of time.

7. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one pair of contact pill (CC) amongst a plurality of pairs of contact pills (AA, BB, CC) is provided on the opposite side of the contact pad (102), whereby the pair of contact pill (CC) is a momentary contact.

8. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of contact pills (CC) with momentary contacts return to an original, unactuated position automatically.

9. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of contact pills with latching contact (BB), remain in an actuated position through the latching mechanism.

10. The switch assembly (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a spring actuated ball (112) and a socket arrangement, whereby the socket (114) is a slot which is provided in the external casing (120).