Claims:We claim,
1. A compact rotary type side stand switch assembly (100) for mounting on two wheeler vehicle side stand (132) that is a safety assembly which switches off the vehicle engine when side stand (132) is retracted,
characterized in that,
the rotary type side stand switch assembly (100) comprises of an upper housing (116) made of plastic having a compartment for positioning a magnet (110) and a compartment for a PCB assembly (108); a shunt plate (106), a lower housing (104) made of plastic with integrated shunt plate (106); and a metal bush (102);
the PCB assembly (108) has an Integrated circuit with a Hall sensor and other electronic parts such that the hall sensor senses the change in the magnetic flux generated by the magnet (110);
the PCB assembly (108) and magnet (110) are fixed in the assembly (100) by epoxy potting and wiring harness (118) and connector 3 pole (120) are attached to the PCB assembly (108) by epoxy coating and are sealed;
the shunt plate (106) made of mild steel, is insert molded in the lower housing (104) to form an integral part of the lower housing (104) and is a rotating part with a screw (103) that helps to keep the shunt plate (106) and the lower housing (104) in position;
the integrated shunt plate (106) of the lower housing (104) of the assembly (100) moves in a rotary movement when it is pressed (actuated) by the vehicle side stand (132) that has an angular movement; and
the side stand switch assembly (100) is electrically configured to the engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle so that the starting operation of the vehicle can be controlled on the basis of the position of the side stand switch assembly (100).
2. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal bush (102) is present in the slot on the lower housing (104), it is press fit in the assembly and functions to take the tightening load of the side stand switch when the housing of the assembly (100) is mounted on the side stand.
3. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side stand switch assembly (100) is mounted on the vehicle stand mounting plate (122) that is a fixed plate of the vehicle chassis with the help of nuts and bolts and the assembly is also connected to the side stand (124).
4. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiring harness (118) is connected to the vehicle engine by ECU to signal the start and stop of the engine.
5. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the side stand (132) is a non-retracted position, that is in a horizontal up position, the magnet (110) is facing the PCB assembly (108) and the magnetic flux of the magnet (110) is sensed by the Hall Sensor in the PCB assembly (108) and in this position, the output voltage is high level of more than 2.5 volts which is a high level signal to ECU which passes the signal to the engine to remain ON and therefore the side stand switch is not switched ON and the engine remains in the ON condition.
6. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the side stand (132) begins to retract, the side stand (124) moves down by angle greater than 30 degrees and this rotation movement of the side stand (124) actuates the rotating of the lower housing (104) and the integrated shunt plate (106) rotates and starts to position between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) with the sensor which cuts the magnetic flux between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) and the Side stand switch assembly(100) is turned on, which leads to switching off the engine.
7. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the when the side stand (132) begins to retract, the side stand (124) moves down by angle greater than 30 degrees, the output voltage is at low level of less than 1 Volt that leads to switching off the engine.
8. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the side stand (124) is fully retracted and the vehicle is parked, the movement of the side stand (124) actuates the rotating of the lower housing (104) and the integrated shunt plate (106) rotates with the lower housing (104) and entirely positions between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) with the sensor and this completely cuts the magnetic flux between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) and the Side stand switch assembly(100) remains on, which leads to keeping the vehicle engine off.
9. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angular retraction of the side stand (124) actuates the rotation of the integrated shunt plate (106) to cut the magnetic flux while keeping the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) in a fixed position that enables to switch off the engine.
10. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shunt plate (106) gives a sure signal to the ECU with excellent accuracy and the position of the switching off can be controlled by the shunt plate design.
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a side stand switch assembly and more particularly relates to a compact , more reliable ,cost effective and light weight switch assembly to be mounted on two-wheeler side stands. The Side stand switch is a safety assembly which prevents the start of the vehicle when side stand is pushed down i.e., the vehicle is in parking position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, a two- wheeler is provided with a side stand device that supports the vehicle body in a standing state while the vehicle is parked. The side stand device is constructed by pivotally attaching a side stand bar through a pivot-bolt to a bracket on a vehicle body frame, and mounting a side stand switch through a securing bolt to the pivot-bolt. The side stand switch includes a case member having a fixed part and a rotor member having a moving part. The side stand switch actuation can be contact type or non contact type. The side stand switch detects a pivot position of the side stand bar when the rotor member is turned together with the side stand bar.
Conventionally, there is a side bracket switch that outputs an on signal or an off signal according to the rotation of a side bracket of a two-wheeled vehicle. Such a side bracket switch, for example, outputs a disconnection signal to an ECU (Engine Control Unit) of a two-wheeled vehicle when the side bracket is standing, thereby preventing the engine from starting. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the driver from driving the two-wheeled vehicle erroneously in a state where the side stand is standing, causing the side stand to come into contact with the road surface or the like and falling.
The Side stand switch is a Safety part used in two-wheelers only. At present the part is not implemented in 100% vehicles in India .The part is used by two-wheeler OEMS in few high end variants. Although few OEMS had implemented side stand sensor in 100% vehicles which was only giving indication /visual alert by some indication on speedometer. Now, every OEM is converting indication into feed back signal to ECU. As the Indian Government is focusing on safety norms from past few years so now the use of Side Stand switch is will be in 100% vehicles from January 2022. Conventionally, the side stand switch generally used are mechanical contact type , where very robust sealing of the switch is needed and the reliability of the part is also compromised by constant use as after water entry the switch will fail to work. Later on, electronic type switches which works on the principal of Hall effect with a shunt plate fixed on the vehicle Side stand were designed. However, this design has high cost. Therefore, there was felt a need to provide low cost and high durability side stand switch assembly for two wheelers where complete assembly sealing is not mandatory.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a side stand switch assembly which is compact, lightweight , reliable, cost effective and having the shunt plate integrated in the housing of the side stand switch assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a side stand switch assembly which is rotary type and can be mounted on the presently available vehicles without any changes required by the vehicle user side.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a side stand switch assembly which is highly reliable and has robust design so that the side stand switch assembly is rigid, sealed and has no impact of external abuses in field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that present invention is not limited to particular methodologies and materials described, as these may vary as per the person skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
According to an aspect of the invention, a compact rotary type side stand switch assembly for mounting on two wheeler vehicle side stand that is a safety assembly which switches off the vehicle engine when side stand is retracted is described. The rotary type side stand switch assembly comprises of an upper housing made of plastic having a compartment for positioning a magnet and a compartment for a PCB assembly; a shunt plate, a lower or upper housing made of plastic with integrated shunt plate; and a metal bush.
According to another aspect of the invention, the PCB assembly has an Integrated circuit with a Hall sensor and other electronic parts such that the hall sensor senses the change in the magnetic flux generated by the magnet. The PCB assembly and magnet are fixed in the assembly by epoxy potting and wiring harness and connector 3 pole are attached to the PCB assembly by epoxy coating and are sealed.
According to another aspect of the invention the shunt plate made of mild steel, is insert molded or separate fitment in the lower housing to form an integral part of the lower housing and is a rotating part that helps to keep the shunt plate and the lower housing in position. The integrated shunt plate of the lower housing of the assembly moves in a rotary movement when it is pressed (actuated) by the vehicle side stand that has an angular movement. The side stand switch assembly is electrically configured to the engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle so that the starting operation of the vehicle can be controlled on the basis of the position of the side stand switch assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A complete understanding of the present invention may be made by reference to the following detailed description which is to be taken in conjugation with the accompanying drawing. The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification, illustrates one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, it serves to explain the principles and implementations of the invention.
FIG.1 is the top perspective view of the side stand switch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG.2 is the bottom perspective view of the side stand switch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG.3 is the front perspective view of the side stand switch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention
FIG.4 is the exploded view of the side stand switch assembly as shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG.5A-C are the perspective views of the stages of working of the side stand switch assembly as shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular methodologies described, as these may vary as per the person skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

Sr. No. Description of the part
100 Side stand switch assembly
102 Metal Bush
103 Screw
104 Lower housing
106 Shunt plate
108 PCB assembly
110 Magnet
116 Upper housing
118 Wire harness
120 Connector 3 pole
122 Vehicle stand mounting plate
124 Vehicle side stand

The present invention describes a compact, more reliable, cost effective and light weight switch assembly to be mounted on two-wheeler vehicle side stands. The side stand switch is a safety assembly which prevents the start of the vehicle when side stand is pushed down i.e., when the vehicle is in parking position. Typically, side stand switch is mounted on the side stand rod of the vehicle integrated with side stand plate. The Side stand switch is mounted in front or back side of the side stand depending on the requirements. The side stand switch assembly is electrically configured to the engine control unit of the vehicle so that the starting operation of the vehicle can be controlled on the basis of the position of the side stand switch. The side stand switch is generally mounted in the vicinity of the side stand enabling the side stand switch to receive the position of the side stand and then send the received data of the position of the side stand to the engine control unit (ECU).
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cost effective, integrated rotary type side stand switch assembly is described. According to FIG. 1 and 2 of the present invention, the top view and the bottom view of the side stand switch assembly (100) are described. FIG. 3 describes the front view of the side stand switch assembly (100). The side stand switch assembly (100) comprises of an upper housing (116) made of plastic having a compartment(holder) for positioning a magnet (110); a PCB assembly (108); a shunt plate (106), a lower housing (104) made of plastic with integrated shunt plate (106); and a metal bush (102).
According to FIG. 4 of the present invention, an exploded view of the side stand switch assembly (100) is described. The upper housing (116) consists of a slot for positioning the magnet (110) and a slot to position the PCB assembly (108). The magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) are fixed parts of the assembly (100). The PCB assembly (108) has an Integrated circuit with a Hall sensor and other electronic parts. The hall sensor senses the change in the magnetic flux generated by the magnet (110).The magnetic flux by the magnet (110) is sensed by the Hall sensor in the PCB assembly (108). Potting is done in the PCB assembly (108) and wiring harness (118) and connector 3 pole (120) are attached to the PCB by epoxy coating and are sealed. The wiring harness is connected to the vehicle engine to signal the start and stop of the engine.
According to the embodiment of the invention, the lower housing (104) has an integrated shunt plate (106). The shunt plate (106) is made of mild steel and is insert molded or separately fitted in the lower housing (104) to form an integral part of the lower housing (104). The lower housing (104) with the integrated shunt plate (106) is a rotating part. A screw (103) helps to keep the shunt plate (106) and the lower housing (104) in position. The rotating lower housing (104) with the integrated shunt plate (106) allows for a non-contact type switching mechanism to signal the sensor in the PCB assembly (108). The integrated shunt plate (106) of the lower housing (104) of the assembly (100) moves in a rotary movement when it is pressed (actuated) by the vehicle side stand (132) that has an angular movement. The metal bush (102) is present in the slot on the lower housing, it is press fit in the assembly and functions to take the tightening load of the side stand switch when the housing of the assembly (100) is mounted on the side stand. A gasket may be fixed (optional) between the lower housing (104) and the upper housing (116) for sealing and preventing moisture, water, dust, mud or air to enter in the assembly. Additionally, a rubber seal and a rubber insert molded washer may be arranged in the lower housing and the upper housing to prevent any moisture entry in the assembly. Although, these two gaskets can optionally be deleted in the present assembly as there is no sealing requirement between the lower and upper housing.
According to the FIGs. 5A to 5C of the present invention, the working of the side stand switch assembly is described. The side stand switch assembly (100) is mounted on the vehicle stand mounting plate (122) and is also attached to the vehicle side stand (124). It can be mounted on the front or back of the vehicle side stand (124). The side stand switch assembly is mounted with the help of nuts and bolts.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the side stand (124) is in a horizontal position, meaning the vehicle is in drive mode, the side stand switch assembly (100) is OFF and the engine is ON. At this position, the magnet (110) is facing the PCB assembly (108) and the magnetic flux of the magnet (110) is sensed by the Hall Sensor in the PCB assembly (108). In this position, the output voltage is high level of more than 2.5 volts. This is high level signal to ECU which passes the signal to the engine to remain ON and therefore the side stand switch is not switched ON and the engine remains in the ON condition.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the vehicle comes to a halt and the side stand needs to be retracted , the side stand (124) moves down to some angle greater than 30 degrees. This rotation movement of the side stand (124) actuates the rotating of the lower housing (104) and the integrated shunt plate (106) rotates and starts to position between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) with the sensor. This cuts the magnetic flux between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) and the Side stand switch assembly(100) is turned on, which leads to switching off the engine. At this instant, the output voltage is at low level of less than 1 Volt. The position of the side stand retracted at an angle less than 30 degrees, leads to switch on the side stand switch and the engine is turned off. This prevents any hazardous accident to happen due to retracted side stand.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the side stand is fully retracted and the vehicle is parked, the movement of the side stand (124) actuates the rotating of the lower housing (104) and the integrated shunt plate (106) rotates with the lower housing (104) and entirely positions between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) with the sensor. This completely cuts the magnetic flux between the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) and the Side stand switch assembly(100) remains on, which leads to keeping the vehicle engine off. The output voltage at this stage is at low level and the engine remains cut off. The angular retraction of the side stand (124) actuates the rotation of the integrated shunt plate (106) to cut the magnetic flux while keeping the magnet (110) and the PCB assembly (108) in a fixed position that enables to switch off the engine.
According to the embodiment of the invention, the shunt plate (106) gives a sure signal to the ECU with excellent accuracy and the position of the switching off can be controlled by the shunt plate design. Using shunt plate has an advantage over the conventional available designs.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiment herein chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and for result may be had to the doctrine of equivalence without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific elements of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many alterations can be made and that many modifications can be made in preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.