DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to electrical switches and more particularly, relates to a rocker-based switch assembly with an improved structure of a housing member and a rocker of the rocker-based 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 flowing towards the appliances, and thereby switching-ON or switching-OFF such appliances. Usually, multiple electrical switches can be attached to a single electrical panel, also referred to as back plate, which can be mounted on a surface, such as a wall.

The electrical panels are generally designed based on the electrical switches which needed to be attached to such electrical panels. For instance, different electrical panels are designed to accommodate different electrical switches, such as collar switches and collarless switches. Therefore, currently, a common electrical panel fails to interchangeably accommodate both the collar switches and the collarless switches. Electrical switches, such as collar switches, include a housing and a rocker which can be coupled to the housing. The housing includes an opening and a collar portion extending along a perimeter of the opening. The rocker is attached to the housing in a manner that the collar portion visibly surrounds the rocker.

This substantially reduces the overall aesthetics of the electrical switch and the electrical panel on which such electrical switch is mounted. Currently, different electrical switches, such as collarless switches, are provided with enhanced aesthetic value. However, as mentioned earlier, such collarless switches are not retrofittable to the electrical panels designed for accommodating the collar switches. Therefore, in order to employ the collarless switches, a separate electrical panel is required which should be compatible with the structural design of such collarless switches. However, this substantially increases the overall installation cost for the electrical switches.

Therefore, there is a need for an electrical switch assembly with improved aesthetics and which can be retrofitted with an existing electrical panel.

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 rocker-based switch assembly is disclosed. The rocker-based switch assembly comprises a housing member having a peripheral region defining an opening adapted to accommodate a movable contact element. Further, the rocker-based switch assembly comprises at least one rocker attached to the housing member and adapted to be pivotally moved to push the movable contact element to operate the switch assembly. The at least one rocker is adapted to conceal the opening and the peripheral region of the housing member. The at least one rocker comprises a brim region adapted to conceal the peripheral region of the housing member. The brim region is adapted to abut at least a portion of the peripheral region based on a pivotal movement of the at least one rocker.

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:

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate different perspective views of a rocker-based switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 1c and 1d illustrate different planar views of the rocker-based switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate different exploded views of the rocker-based switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3a illustrates an isometric view of a housing member of the rocker-based switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 3b and 3c illustrate different planar views of the housing member of the rocker-based switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4a illustrates an isometric view of a rocker of the rocker-based switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 4b and 4c illustrate different planar views of the rocker, 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 been 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 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 this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, 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 such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element 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 one having ordinary skills 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 presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as 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 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 alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively 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 be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

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

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate different perspective views of a rocker-based switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1c and 1d illustrate different planar views of the rocker-based switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the rocker-based switch assembly 100 may interchangeably be referred to as one of the switch assembly 100 and a collarless switch assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The switch assembly 100 may be employed in houses and similar premises for operating various electronic devices, such as household appliances. For instance, the switch assembly 100 may be employed to switch-ON or switch-OFF an operation of an electrical appliance.

The switch assembly 100 may be adapted to be mounted on an installation surface, such as a wall, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may be adapted to be coupled to an electrical panel installed on a surface, such as a wall. The electrical panel may include a plurality of slots adapted to removably receive multiple switch assemblies. In an embodiment, constructional aspects associated with the switch assembly 100 may be optimized to enhance the overall operability and aesthetics of the switch assembly 100. In particular, a housing member and a rocker of the switch assembly 100 may be designed in a manner that collar portions of the housing member are hidden behind the rocker irrespective of an operating position of such rocker. Constructional and operational details of the switch assembly 100 are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate different exploded views of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a housing member 202 and at least one rocker 204. The housing member 202 may be adapted to be removably coupled to the electrical panel. In an embodiment, the housing member 202 may be inserted within one of the plurality of slots of the electrical panel and subsequently, attached to the electrical panel via snap locks.

Further, the at least one rocker 204 may be adapted to be removably attached to the housing member 202. In an embodiment, the at least one rocker 204 may interchangeably be referred to as the rocker 204, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The rocker 204 may be adapted to be pivotably moved with respect to the housing member 202 to operate the switch assembly 100. Constructional and operational details of the housing member 202 and the rocker 204 are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figure 3a illustrates an isometric view of the housing member 202 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 3b and 3c illustrate different planar views of the housing member 202 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the housing member 202 may be adapted to accommodate various sub-components of the switch assembly 100. The sub-components may include, but are not limited to, a plurality of electrical terminals and a movable contact element pivotally disposed within the housing member 202.

In an embodiment, the housing member 202 may include a front portion 202-1 and a rear portion 202-2 distal from the front portion 202-1. The front portion 202-1 of the housing member 202 may be adapted to movably support the rocker of the switch assembly 100. Referring to Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c, the housing member 202 may include, but is not limited to, a peripheral region 302 defining an opening 303 adapted to accommodate the movable contact element. The peripheral region 302 may be formed at the front portion 202-1 of the housing member 202.

In an embodiment, the peripheral region 302 may include, but is not limited to, a first engaging member 304 and a second engaging member 306. The first engaging member 304 may be formed at a first end 302-1 of the peripheral region 302. Similarly, the second engaging member 306 may be formed at a second end 302-2 of the peripheral region 302. The first end 302-1 may be laterally opposite to the second end 302-2 of the peripheral region 302 of the housing member 202. Constructional details of the first engaging member 304 may be similar to constructional details of the second engaging member 306.

Each of the first engaging member 304 and the second engaging member 306 may include, but is not limited to, a wall 308, a collar portion 310, and a connector 312. In the illustrated embodiment, referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the first engaging member 304 may include a wall 308-1, a collar portion 310-1, and a connector 312-2. Similarly, the second engaging member 306 may include a wall 308-2, a collar portion 310-2, and a connector 312-2. In an embodiment, each of the collar portion 310-1, 310-2 may have a width ‘W1’ which is greater than a width of the opening 303.

Each of the walls 308-1, 308-2 may be orthogonally extending from a surface 302-3 of the peripheral region 302. The collar portion 310-1 may orthogonally extend from the wall 308-1 of the first engaging member 304. The collar portion 310-1 may be adapted to abut the rocker 204 based on an operating position of the rocker 204 with respect to the housing member 202. Further, the connector 312-1 may extend from the collar portion 310-1 of the first engaging member 304. The connector 312-1 may be adapted to be engaged with the electrical panel to attach the switch assembly 100 with the electrical panel. In an embodiment, the connector 312-1 may be embodied as a snap lock, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Similar to the first engaging member 304, the collar portion 310-2 of the second engaging member 304 may orthogonally extend from the wall 308-2. The collar portion 310-2 may be adapted to abut the rocker 204 based on the operating position of the rocker 204 with respect to the housing member 202. Further, the connector 312-2 may extend from the collar portion 310-2 of the second engaging member 306. The connector 312-2 may be adapted to be engaged with the electrical panel to attach the switch assembly 100 with the electrical panel. Similar to the connector 312-1, the connector 312-2 may be embodied as a snap lock, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the peripheral region 302 may include, but is not limited to, a pair of engaging walls 314 protruding from the surface 302-3 of the peripheral region 302. The pair of engaging walls 314 may be positioned laterally opposite to each other on the surface 302-3 of the peripheral region 302. Referring to Figure 3a and Figure 3c, the pair of engaging walls 314 may include a first engaging wall 314-1 and a second engaging wall 314-2. The first engaging wall 314-1 may protrude from the surface 302-3 and, may be located at a first side 302-4 of the peripheral region 302. Similarly, the second engaging wall 314-2 may protrude from the surface 302-3 and, may be located at a second side 302-5 of the peripheral region 302.

Figure 4a illustrates an isometric view of the rocker 204 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 4b and 4c illustrate different planar views of the rocker 204, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the rocker 204 may be adapted to be attached to the housing member 206. The rocker 204 may be adapted to be pivotally moved to push the movable contact element of the switch assembly 100 to operate the switch assembly 100. In an embodiment, the rocker 204 may be adapted to be pivotally moved between a first operating position and a second operating position.

Referring to Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c, in the illustrated embodiment, the rocker 204 may include, but is not limited to, an operating portion 402 and a plurality of walls 404 formed on the operating portion 402. The operating portion 402 may include, but is not limited to, a first surface 406 and a second surface 408 distal to the first surface 406. In an embodiment, each of the first surface 406 and the second surface 408 may have a concave contour. The rocker 204 may be attached to the housing member 202 in a manner that the second surface 408 of the operating portion 402 faces towards the opening 303 (as shown in Figure 3a) of the housing member 202. In an embodiment, the operating portion 402 may have a width ‘W2’ which is substantially equal to the width ‘W1’ of each of the collar portions 310-1, 310-2.

The rocker 204 adapted to conceal the opening 303 and the peripheral region 302 of the housing member 202, In an embodiment, the rocker 204 may include, but is not limited to, a brim region 410 adapted to conceal the peripheral region 302 of the housing member 202. The second surface 406 may correspond to the brim region 410 and adapted to overlap the peripheral region 302 of the housing member 202. The brim region 410 may be adapted to abut at least a portion of the peripheral region 302 based on a pivotal movement of the rocker 204.

The rocker 204 may include a plurality of walls 404 formed on the second surface 408. In an embodiment, the brim region 410 may be defined on the second surface 406 and surrounds the plurality of walls 404 extending from the second surface 408 of the operating portion 402. The plurality of walls 404 may define a cavity 414 provided with a receiving portion 416 which is adapted to accommodate a pusher (not shown). The pusher may be adapted to push the movable contact element when the rocker 204 is pivotally moved between the first operating position and the second operating position.

For instance, when the rocker 204 is moved to the first operating position, the pusher slidably moves on the movable contact element and simultaneously pushes the moveable contact element to form a surface contact with one of the plurality of electrical terminals. Similarly, when the rocker 204 is moved to the second operating position, the pusher slidably moves on the movable contact element and simultaneously pushes the moveable contact element to form an electrical contact with one of the plurality of electrical terminals.

In an embodiment, the collar portions 310-1, 310-2 may be adapted to abut the brim region 410 of the rocker 204 based on the pivotal movement of the rocker 204 between the first operating position and the second operating position. The collar portion 310-1 of the first engaging member 304 may abut the brim region 410 when the rocker 204 is moved to the first operating position. Similarly, the collar portion 310-2 of the second engaging member 306 may abut the brim region 410 when the rocker 204 is moved to the second operating position.

Further, the brim region 410 of the rocker 204 may be adapted to conceal the pair of engaging walls 314 of the peripheral region 302. In an embodiment, the rocker 204 may be coupled to the housing member 202 in a manner that the brim region 410 overlaps the pair of engaging walls 314 formed on the surface 302-3 the peripheral region 302. Each of the pair of engaging walls 314 of the housing member 202 may be adapted to be attached to one of the plurality of walls 404 of the rocker 204.

Referring to Figures 4a and 3a, each of the pair of engaging walls 314 may include an engaging element 316 adapted to be engaged with one of the plurality of walls 404 of the rocker 204. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of side walls 404-1, 404-2 from among the plurality of walls 404 may be adapted to be attached to the pair of engaging walls 314 of the housing member 202. Each of the pair of side walls 404-1, 404-2 may include an engaging cavity 418 adapted to be engaged with the engaging element 316 of one of the pair of engaging walls 314. For instance, the engaging cavity 418 formed on the side wall 404-1 may engage with the engaging element 316 provided on an engaging wall 314-1 from among the pair of engaging walls 314. Similarly, the engaging cavity 418 formed on the side wall 404-2 may engage with the engaging element 316 provided on an engaging wall 314-2 from among the pair of engaging walls 314.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the switch assembly 100 having the rocker 204 with the brim region 410 and the housing member 202 with the peripheral region 302. As explained earlier, the brim region 410 may be adapted to conceal the peripheral region 302 of the housing member 202 in both the first operating position and the second operating position of the rocker 204. This substantially increases the overall aesthetics of the switch assembly 100. Further, owing to the brim region 410, an overall width of the rocker 204 is substantially increased which results in a broader operating surface for pivotally moving the rocker 204 between the first operating position and the second operating position. Further, each of the first surface 406 and the second surface 408 of the operating portion 402 may have a concave contour. This provides a feeling of a smooth operation to a user during the switching operation and at the completion of the switching operation.

Further, the brim region 410 may be adapted to abut the collar portions 310-1, 310-2 of the housing member 202 based on the pivotal movement of the rocker 204 between the first operating position and the second operating position. The brim region 410 may abut the collar portion 310-1 at the completion of the switching operation to the first operating position. Similarly, the brim region 410 may abut the collar portion 310-2 at the completion of the switching operation to the second operating position. Owing to such contact between the brim region 410 and the collar positions 310-1, 310-2, substantially less sound may be generated at the completion of the switching operation and therefore, enhance the overall user experience. This also provides a feeling of a smooth operation to a user during the switching operation and at the completion of the switching operation.

Compared to existing collar switches, the housing member 202 of the switch assembly 100 comprises the first engaging member 304 and the second engaging member 306 located at the first end 302-1 and the second end 302-2, respectively, of the peripheral region 302. Therefore, in the switch assembly 100, collars are eliminated from at least two sides of the housing assembly 202. This substantially reduces the overall consumption of material in the manufacturing of the switch assembly 100 and also reduces the overall weight of the switch assembly 100.

Furthermore, the collar portions 310-1, 310-2 may act as a locking surface for the rocker 204 by stopping the movement of the rocker 204 beyond a predefined distance at the completion of the switching operation. Owing to contact between the brim region 410 and the collar portions 310-1, 310-2, a smooth feedback may be provided to the user indicating completion of the switching operation. As mentioned earlier, the housing member 202 may include the connectors 312-1, 312-2 adapted to be engaged with the electrical panel to attach the switch assembly 100 with the electrical panel. This provides ease in assembling and disassembling the switch assembly 100 from the electrical panel. Further, the switch assembly 100 can be fitted to pre-existing electrical panels and thereby, reducing the overall cost involved in the installation of the switch assembly 100.

Therefore, the switch assembly 100 of the present disclosure is operationally effective, flexible in implementation, cost-effective, light-weight, compact, retrofittable, and convenient.

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:We Claim:

1. A rocker-based switch assembly (100) comprising:
a housing member (202) having a peripheral region (302) defining an opening (303) adapted to accommodate a movable contact element; and
at least one rocker (204) attached to the housing member (202) and adapted to be pivotally moved to push the movable contact element to operate the switch assembly (100), the at least one rocker (204) adapted to conceal the opening (303) and the peripheral region (302) of the housing member (202),
wherein the at least one rocker (204) comprises a brim region (410) adapted to conceal the peripheral region (302) of the housing member (202) and abut at least a portion of the peripheral region (302) based on a pivotal movement of the at least one rocker (204).

2. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral region (302) comprises a first engaging member (304) formed at a first end (302-1) of the peripheral region (302) and a second engaging member (306) formed at a second end (302-2) of the peripheral region (302), the first end (302-1) is laterally opposite to the second end (302-2) of the peripheral region (302) of the housing member (202).

3. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first engaging member (304) and the second engaging member (306) comprises:
a wall (308-1, 308-2) orthogonally extending from a surface (302-3) of the peripheral region (302);
a collar portion (310-1, 310-2) orthogonally extending from the wall (308-1, 308-2) and adapted to abut the brim region (410) of the at least one rocker (204); and
a connector (312-1, 312-2) extending from the collar portion (310-1, 310-2) and adapted to be engaged with an electrical panel to attach the switch assembly (100) with the electrical panel.

4. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
the collar portion (310-1, 310-2) of the first engaging member (304) abuts the brim region (410) when the at least one rocker (204) is moved to a first operating position; and
the collar portion (310-1, 310-2) of the second engaging member (306) abuts the brim region (410) when the at least one rocker (204) is moved to a second operating position.

5. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral region (302) comprises a pair of engaging walls (314-1, 314-2) protruding from a surface (302-3) of the peripheral region (302), the pair of engaging walls (314-1, 314-2) is positioned laterally opposite to each other on the surface (302-3) of the peripheral region (302).

6. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brim region (410) of the at least rocker (204) is adapted to conceal the pair of engaging walls (314-1, 314-2) of the peripheral region (302).

7. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rocker (204) comprises:
an operating portion (402) having a first surface (406) and a second surface (408) distal to the first surface (406), the second surface (408) corresponds to the brim region (410) and adapted to overlap the peripheral region (302) of the housing member (202); and
a plurality of walls (404) formed on the second surface (408) and defining a cavity (414) provided with a receiving portion (416) adapted to accommodate a pusher,
wherein the pusher is adapted to push the movable contact element when the at least one rocker (204) is pivotally moved between a first operating position and a second operating position.

8. The rocker-based switch assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the brim region (410) is defined on the second surface (408) and surrounds the plurality of walls (404) extending from the second surface (408) of the operating portion (402).

9. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the first surface (406) and the second surface (408) has a concave contour.

10. The rocker-based switch assembly (100) as claimed in one of claims 4 and 7, wherein each of the pair of engaging walls (314-1, 314-2) of the housing member (202) is adapted to be attached to one of the plurality of walls (404) of the at least one rocker (204).