FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to control panels and in particular, relates to a compact Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) panel assembly for vehicles.
BACKGROUND
In the last few decades, significant level of growth and development is witnessed in the realm of automobiles. In this era of cut-throat competition, interiors of any vehicle play a major role in the sale and popularity of the vehicle. Generally, most of the parameters of the interiors of the vehicle, for example, air conditioning controls and music system are controlled through a control panel installed on a dashboard of the vehicle. The control panel may include a plurality 15 of switches to facilitate controlling of such parameters. The existing control panels are large in size and include a number of sub-components that are to be assembled to form a control panel. Firstly, a large number of sub-components increase manufacturing cost of the control panel. Further, owing to the presence of large number of sub-components, maintenance of the control panel also poses concern. Moreover, owing to the presence of large number of sub-components, 20 weight of the control panel is substantially increased which is undesirable.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved control panel for performing various operations in the vehicle.
25
SUMMARY
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a compact Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) panel assembly for a vehicle. The compact HVAC panel assembly 30 includes a housing member and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The PCB assembly is coupled to the housing member, and adapted to support a plurality of tactile switches. Further, the compact HVAC panel assembly includes a switching panel adapted to be coupled to the housing member. The switching panel includes a plurality of push-toggle switches adapted to be operated in an active position and an in-active position. Each of the push-toggle switches is adapted to actuate 35 one of the plurality of tactile switches. 2
Further, the switching panel includes a plurality of push-transitional switches adapted to be pivotably operated between a first position and a second positon about a pivot member. Each of the plurality of push-transitional switch includes a first operating portion and a second operating portion distal to the first operating portion. Each of the first operating portion and the second operating portion includes a curved portion adapted to actuate one of the plurality of tactile 5 switches.
Each of the plurality of push-toggle switches and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches are coupled to the housing member in a manner to form an overlapping contact and a minimum clearance with the housing member. The overlapping contact is defined in a direction parallel to a movement of each of the plurality of push-toggle switches and the plurality of push-10 transitional switches. The minimum clearance is indicative of a distance travelled by each of the plurality of push-toggle switches and the plurality of push-transitional switches for actuating the plurality of tactile switches.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular 15 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. 20
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become 25 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 a perspective view of a compact HVAC panel assembly attached to a 30 mounting frame, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
3
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the compact HVAC panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the compact HVAC panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 5
Figure 4a illustrates a sectional view of the compact HVAC panel assembly taken along an axis X-X’ of Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4b illustrates a portion ‘A’ of the compact HVAC panel assembly as shown in 10 Figure 4a, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the compact HVAC panel assembly taken along an axis Y-Y’ of Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
15
Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the compact HVAC panel assembly taken along an axis Z-Z’ of Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of the compact HVAC panel assembly, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 20
Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the compact HVAC panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 9 illustrates another sectional view of the compact HVAC panel assembly, 25 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the compact HVAC panel assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for 30 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 4
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.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 5
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and 10 techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” 15 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.” 20
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.
25
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. 30
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 6
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
disclosure. Therefore, the compact HVAC panel assembly 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the control panel assembly 100.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the control panel assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the control panel assembly 100 may 5 include, but is not limited to, a housing member 104, a rear cover 106, at least one Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel 108, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly 110, at least one Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) strap 112, an aesthetic cover member 114, and a switching panel 116.
10
The housing member 104 may be coupled to the rear cover 106 for encapsulating the LCD panel 108, the PCB assembly 110, the ESD strap 112, the aesthetic cover member 114, and the switching panel 116. In an embodiment, the LCD panel 108 may be coupled to the housing member 104, and may be in communication with the PCB assembly 110. The LCD panel 108 may be adapted to display information associated with various operational parameters associated 15 with the HVAC system. In an example, the LCD panel 108 may display information indicative of the operational parameters, such as a fan speed, a temperature, and Air Conditioning (AC) modes.
Further, the aesthetic cover member 114 may be coupled to the housing member 104. In 20 an embodiment, the aesthetic cover member 114 may be coupled to the housing member 104 through snap locks 119 (as shown in Figure 6). The aesthetic cover member 114 may be provided for enhancing aesthetics of the control panel assembly 100. The aesthetic cover member 114 may include a plurality of extended legs 117. In an embodiment, the aesthetic cover member 114 may include eight extended legs, without departing from the scope of the present 25 disclosure. The aesthetic cover member 114 may be disposed on the switching panel 116 in a manner that the plurality of extended legs 117 separates various switches of the switching panel 116 from each other.
In an embodiment, the plurality of legs 117 may be arranged and designed in a manner to 30 provide a tactile feel to the user. Therefore, it eliminates accidental pressing of other switches while pressing the desired switch to operate the HVAC system. In an embodiment, the ESD strip 112 may be coupled to the aesthetic cover member 114 and the PCB assembly 110. In an 8
example, the ESD strip 112 may be embodied as a sheet metal. In an embodiment, the ESD strip 112 may include a pair of legs 118 adapted to be in contact with the PCB assembly 110 for grounding the LCD panel 108 with the PCB assembly 110, and thereby protecting the LCD panel 108 from electrostatic discharge. In an embodiment, the ESD strip 112 and the aesthetic cover member 114 may be formed as a single component/sub-assembly by performing
The push-toggle switches 120 may be adapted to be operated in an active position and an in-active position. For instance, the push-toggle switches 120 may be operated to the active position by pushing/pressing the push-toggle switches 120. Subsequently, the push-toggle switches 120 may be moved from the active position to the in-active positon by pushing/pressing the push-toggle switches 120. 5
Referring to Figure 4, in an embodiment, each of the push-toggle switches 120 may include pushing ribs 121 supported in the housing member 104. Further, the control panel assembly 100 may include a plurality of tactile switches 123 supported on the PCB assembly 110, and positioned below the switches 120, 122 of the switching panel 116. The plurality of 10 tactile switches 123 may interchangeably be referred to as the tactile switches 123, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, each of the push-toggle switches 120 may be adapted to actuate at least one of the tactile switches 123 supported on the PCB assembly 110. In an embodiment, each of the push-transitional switches 122 may operate at least one of the tactile switches 123 supported on the PCB assembly 110. 15
Further, referring to Figure 4, a plurality of lenses 129 may be provided for indicating the active position or the in-active position of the push-toggle switches 120. The plurality of lenses 129 may be adapted to display illumination emitted from LED’s disposed on the PCB assembly 110. In an embodiment, the plurality of lenses 129 may display illumination on a top surface of 20 the push-toggle switches 120. In an example, when the user operates one of the push-toggle switches 120 to switch ON the AC, then the lens 129 may illuminate to indicate the user that the AC is in active state.
In an embodiment, a number of the tactile switches 123 corresponding to a switch may 25 be selected based on a type of switch, such as the push-toggle switch or the push-transitional switch and an operation to be performed by the switch. In an example, when the user pushes/presses the push-toggle switch 120 for operating a defogger function in the vehicle, the at least one of the tactile switches 123 disposed below the corresponding push-toggle switch 120 may be triggered by the pushing rib 121 of the push-toggle switch 120. In another example, 30 when the user pushes/presses the push-transitional switch 122 for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the AC, the at least one of the tactile switches 123 disposed below the 10
corresponding the push-transitional switch 122 may be triggered to increase or decrease the temperature of the AC.
Further, the housing member 104 includes a plurality of guiding slots corresponding to each of the push-transitional switches 122 for enabling operation of the corresponding push-5 transitional switch 122. In an embodiment, the housing member 104 includes a first guiding slot (124-1) and a second guiding slot (124-2) for each of the push-transitional switches 122. Further, a distance ‘L’ is defined between guiding slots 124 of the push-translation switches 122 in the housing member 104.
10
Furthermore, in an embodiment, each of the plurality of the push-transitional switches 122 may be positioned in a manner that a distance ‘L1’ is defined between a central axis C-C’ and the first guiding slots 124-1. In an embodiment, a value of ‘L1’ may be selected from a range of 0 mm – 20 mm. The second guiding slot 124-2 may be positioned in a manner that a distance ‘L2’ is defined between the central axis C-C’ of the housing member 104 and the 15 second guiding slot 124-2. In an embodiment, a value of ‘L2’ may be selected from a range of 0 mm – 20 mm. Owing to the distance ‘L’ and the distances ‘L1’, ‘L2’ of the guiding slots 124-1, 124-2 with respect to the central axis C-C’, the push-translation switches 122 may be operated smoothly and efficiently by the user. Constructional and operational details of the push-transitional switches 122 are also explained in detail in the description of Figure 5. 20
In an embodiment, the push-toggle switches 120 may be employed to perform various operations including, but not limited to, switching ON/OFF AC, selecting modes of AC, switching ON/OFF defogger, switching ON/OFF auto-climate control, and selecting air-circulation mode. In an embodiment, the push-transitional switches 122 may be employed to 25 control various parameters including, but not limited to, a speed of fan and a temperature of AC. Further, in an example, each of the push-transitional switches 122 may be provided with a pair of protrusions 127 (as shown in Figure 3) formed on a surface of the push-transitional switches 122. The pair of protrusions 127 may be formed to provide a tactile feel to the user while operating the push-transitional switches 122. In an embodiment, the pair of protrusions 127 may 30 have anti-slip characteristics to eliminate slipping of user’s finger while operating the push-transitional switch 122.
11
Referring to Figure 3, the rear cover 106 may include a plurality of guide members 125 and a plurality of lock members 126. The guide members 125 and the lock members 126 may be provided for assembling the rear cover 106 with the mounting frame 102. In an embodiment, the rear cover 106 may be removably coupled to the mounting frame 102 through the guide members 125 and the lock members 126. In an example, the rear cover 106 may include four 5 guide members and four lock members for assembling the rear cover 106 with the mounting frame 102.
Figure 4b illustrates a portion ‘A’ of the compact HVAC panel assembly 100 shown in Figure 4a, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4b, each of 10 the plurality push-toggle switches 120 and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches 122 may include a plurality of guiding slots 124 corresponding to a plurality of ribs 115. Each of the plurality of guiding slots 124 may define a first surface 402, a second surface 404 and a third surface 406. Further, each of the plurality of push-toggle switches 120 and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches 122 may be positioned in a manner that a clearance ‘C2’ may 15 defined between the second surface 404 and one of the plurality of ribs 115. The clearance ‘C2’ may be selected from a range of 0.1 mm – 0.3 mm. Furthermore, a clearance ‘C3’ may be defined between the first surface 402 and each of the plurality of guiding ribs 115. The clearance ‘C3’ may be selected from a range of 0.03 mm – 0.05 mm. Each of the plurality of push-toggle switches 120 and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches 122 may include an outer 20 surface 408. Further, a clearance ‘C1’ may be defined between the outer surface 408 and one of the plurality of ribs 115. The clearance ‘C1’ may be selected from a range of 0.2 mm – 1mm. Owing to the clearance ‘C1’, the clearance ‘C2’ and the clearance ‘C3’, the push-translation switches 122 and the push-toggle switches 120 may be operated smoothly and efficiently by the user. 25
Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the control panel assembly 100 taken along an axis Y-Y’ of Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the control panel assembly 100 taken along an axis Z-Z’ of Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 30
Referring to Figure 5, the push-toggle switches 120 and the push-transitional switches 122 may be assembled in the control panel assembly 100 in a manner that a minimum clearance 12
‘C’ is defined for allowing a movement of the switches 120, 122. In an embodiment, the minimum clearance ‘C’ may be indicative of the distance travelled by each of the push-toggle switches 120 and each of the push-transitional switches 122 for actuating the tactile switches 123. In particular, the minimum clearance ‘C’ may be equal to the distance travelled by the switches 120, 122, when the switches 120, 122 are operated by the user.
In an embodiment, owing to arrangement of the LEDs 130 below the switches 120, 122, a light ray emitted from the LEDs 130 may be dispersed at an angle θ for illuminating the symbols/texts on the switches 120, 122. In an example, the LEDs 130 may illuminate the symbols/texts on the switches 120, 122, when a parking light of the vehicle is operated by the 5 user. In another example, in an absence of ambient light, the LEDs 130 may illuminate the symbols/texts on the switches 120, 122 for improving visibility of the switches 120, 122 for the user.
As mentioned earlier, the control panel assembly 100 may include the push-transitional 10 switches 122 adapted to be operated by the user for operating the HVAC system. The push-transitional switches 122 may be adapted to be pivotably operated between a first position and a second position about a pivot member 131. Each of the push-transitional switches 122 may include a first operating portion P1 and a second operating portion P2. In an embodiment, each of the first operating portion P1 and the second operating portion P2 may be operable by the user 15 for operating various functions of the HVAC system. In an instance, the first operating portion P1 may be pressed or pushed by the user to operate the push-transitional switch 122 in the first position. Similarly, the second operating portion P2 may be pressed or pushed by the user to operate the push-transitional switch 122 in the second position. Further, each of the first operating portion P1 and the second operating portion P2 may include a curved portion 132 20 adapted to actuate one of the tactile switches 123.
Operation of the push-transitional switches 122 is explained with respect to the first operating portion P1. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the description of the first operating portion P1 is 25 equally applicable for the second operating portion P2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Referring to Figure 6, as explained earlier, the first operating portion P1 includes the curved portion 132 engagable with a pushing element 134 disposed below the curved portion 30 132. The curved portion 132 may be adapted to actuate one of the tactile switches 123 through the pushing element 134. In an example, the user may push/press the first operating portion P1 to control various parameters associated with the HVAC system. In such an example, the first 14
operating portion P1 may move about a pivot axis R-R’, when the user pushes/presses the first operating portion P1 to operate the push-transitional switch 122. Owing to the movement of the first operating potion P1, the curved portion 132 of the first operating portion P1 pushes the pushing element 134 to trigger one of the tactile switches 123.
5
In an embodiment, the push-transitional switch 122 may be disposed with respect to the pushing element 134 in a manner that a minimum distance ‘D1’ is defined for operating the pushing element 134 by pushing/pressing the first operating portion P1. In such an embodiment, a value of D1 may be selected from a range of 2 mm – 5 mm. Owing to the minimum distance ‘D1’, an overall height of the control panel assembly 100 may be significantly reduced. Further, 10 in an embodiment, the push-transitional switch 122 may be disposed with respect to the pushing element 134 in a manner that a minimum distance ‘D2’ is defined between the pivot axis R-R’ and the pushing element 134. In such an embodiment, a value of D2 may be selected from a range of 7 mm – 15mm.
15
Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of the control panel assembly 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the control panel assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 illustrates another sectional view of the control panel assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in 20 details in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6 are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure 9.
Referring to Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure 9, in the present embodiment, the control panel assembly 100 may include a sealing member 136 arranged between the aesthetic cover 25 sub-assembly and the LCD panel 108. As mentioned earlier, the aesthetic cover sub-assembly include the ESD strip 112 and the aesthetic cover member 114. In present embodiment, the aesthetic cover sub-assembly may be formed by the insert moulding process. In an embodiment, the sealing member 136 is adapted to protect the LCD panel 108 from any metal contact, and thereby avoiding breakage of the LCD panel 108. Further, the sealing member 136 is adapted to 30 eliminate ingress of any foreign elements, such as dust particles, in a clearance between the LCD panel 108 and the aesthetic cover sub-assembly.
15
Referring to Figure 9, the aesthetic cover member 114 may be adapted to hold the sealing member 136 around a display region 138 of the LCD panel 108. The aesthetic cover member 114 may hold the sealing member 136 in such a manner that the sealing member 136 may not interfere with the display region 138 of the LCD panel 108. In the present embodiment, the aesthetic cover member 114 may include a vertical portion 140 which abuts an outer periphery 5 of the sealing member 136. In such an embodiment, the vertical portion 140 of the aesthetic cover member 114 may secure the sealing member 136 in the control panel assembly 100, and thereby eliminating any possibility of misalignment of the sealing member 136. Owing to such an arrangement, the sealing member 136 may not interfere with the display region 138 of the LCD panel 108, and hence aesthetics of the LCD panel 108 is substantially improved. Further, 10 owing to such an arrangement, a positive interference ‘P’ is established between the LCD panel 108 and the aesthetic cover member 114.
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the control panel assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 10, in the present embodiment, the 15 LCD panel 108 includes the display region 138 to display information indicative of the operation parameters associated with the HVAC system. Further, the housing member 104 of the control panel assembly 100 may include a plurality of guiding members 142 for positioning and guiding the LCD panel 108 on the housing member 104. In an embodiment, the LCD panel 108 may be positioned on the housing member 104 through the guiding members 142 formed on the housing 20 member 104. The guiding members 142 may be provided to ensure a proper positioning of the LCD panel 108 on the housing member 104.
In the present embodiment, the guiding members 142 may eliminate any unwanted movement of the LCD panel 108 along X-Y plane. Further, the LCD panel 108 may include a 25 plurality of terminal pins 144 oriented at 90 degrees with respect to the display region 138 of the LCD panel 108. The plurality of terminal pins 144 may interchangeably be referred to as the terminal pins 144. Owing to such an alignment of the terminal pins 144, the overall size of the control panel assembly 100 is significantly reduced. Further, the push-toggle switches 120, such as switches for auto climate control and AC mode selection, may be designed in a manner that 30 the push area does not allow the terminal pins 144 above or below the display region 138 of the LCD panel 108.
16
As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the control panel assembly 100 for the vehicle. The control panel assembly 100 of the present disclosure includes a number of sub-components, such as the housing member 104, the PCB assembly 110, the switching panel 116, the LCD panel 108, the aesthetic cover member 114, the ESD strip 112, the rear cover 106 and the sealing member 136. The control panel assembly 100 of the present disclosure includes a 5 less number of sub-components which are efficiently assembled to form the control panel assembly 100 for the vehicle. Firstly, less number of sub-components reduces manufacturing cost of the control panel 100. Further, owing to presence of less number of sub-components, maintenance cost of the control panel assembly 100 is also significantly reduced. Furthermore, owing to the presence of less number of sub-components, a weight and a size of the control 10 panel assembly 100 is substantially reduced.
Also, the control panel assembly 100 eliminates requirement of painting the housing member 104 and the rear cover 106, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the control panel assembly 100. Overall dimensional characteristics of the control panel assembly 100 may 15 be significantly reduced. For example, the height of the control panel assembly 100 is substantially reduced by 50% compared to a conventional control panel assembly. Further, a width of the control panel assembly 100 is substantially reduced by 25% compared to the conventional control panel assembly. Furthermore, a length of the control panel assembly 100 is substantially reduced by 55% compared to the conventional control panel assembly. Also, the 20 weight of the control panel assembly 100 is substantially reduced by 60% compared to the conventional control panel assembly. Owing to reduction in the height, the length, the width, and overall size of the control panel assembly is substantially reduced compared to the conventional control panel assembly.
25
Further, the control panel assembly 100 include the sealing member 136 disposed between the aesthetic cover sub-assembly and the LCD panel 108. The sealing member 136 is arranged between the aesthetic cover sub-assembly and the LCD panel 108 in a manner to effectively restrict ingress of any foreign elements, such as dust. Owing to such arrangement of the sealing member 136, maintenance cost of the control panel assembly 100 may be 30 substantially reduced. Further, the aesthetic cover member 114 may secure the sealing member 136 in a manner to eliminate any interference of the sealing member 136 with the display region 138. Furthermore, the terminal pins 144 of the LCD panel 108 are provided at 90 degree with
17
respect to the display region 138. Owing to such an alignment of the terminal pins 144, the overall size of the control panel assembly 100 is substantially reduced.
The drawings and the forgoing 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 5 single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.
10
Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are 15 possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more 20 pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.
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 25 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 30 embodiment.

WE CLAIM:
1. A compact Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) panel assembly (100) for a vehicle, the compact HVAC panel assembly (100) comprising:
a housing member (104); 5
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly (110) coupled to the housing member (104), and adapted to support a plurality of tactile switches (123); and
a switching panel (116) adapted to be coupled to the housing member (104), wherein the switching panel (116) comprising:
a plurality of push-toggle switches (120) adapted to be operated in an 10 active position and an in-active position, wherein each of the push-toggle switches (120) is adapted to actuate one of the plurality of tactile switches (123); and
a plurality of push-transitional switches (122) adapted to be pivotably operated between a first position and a second positon about a pivot member 15 (131), each of the plurality of push-transitional switch (122) comprising:
a first operating portion (P1) and a second operating portion (P2) distal to the first operating portion (P1), wherein each of the first operating portion (P1) and the second operating portion (P2) includes a curved portion (132) adapted to actuate one of the plurality of tactile 20 switches (123);
wherein each of the plurality of push-toggle switches (120) and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches (122) are coupled to the housing member (104) in a manner to form an overlapping contact ‘S’ with the housing member (104), the overlapping contact ‘S’ is defined in a direction parallel to a 25 movement of each of the plurality of push-toggle switches (120) and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches (122).
2. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved portion (132) of each of the first operating portion (P1) and the second operating portion 30 (P2) is adapted to actuate one of the plurality of tactile switches (123) through a pushing element (134).
3. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of push-transitional switches (122) is disposed with respect to the pushing element (134) in a manner that a minimum distance ‘D1’ is defined for operating the pushing element (134) by pushing/pressing one of the first operating portion (P1) and the second operating portion (P2).
4. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the push-transitional switch (122) is disposed with respect to the pushing element (134) in a manner that a minimum distance ‘D2’ is defined between a pivot axis R-R’ and the pushing element (134). 10
5. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing member (104) includes a plurality of guiding members (142) for positioning and guiding an Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel (108) on the housing member (104).
6. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the LCD panel (108) includes a plurality of terminal pins (144) oriented at 90 degrees with respect to a display region (138) of the LCD panel (108).
7. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 20 overlapping contact ‘S’ is defined in a vertical direction between each of the push-toggle switches (120) and the housing member (104), and between each of the push-transitional switches (122) and the housing member (104), wherein the overlapping contact ‘S’ enables smooth movement of each of the plurality of push-toggle switches (120) and each of the push-transitional switches (122). 25
8. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an aesthetic cover member (114) having a plurality of extended legs (117), wherein the aesthetic cover member (114) is disposed on the switching panel (116) in a manner that the plurality of extended legs (117) is adapted to separate each of the plurality of push-30 toggle switches (120) and the plurality of push-transitional switches (122) from each other and provide a tactile feel to a user.
9. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the aesthetic cover member (114) adapted to hold a sealing member (136) around a display region (138) of an LCD panel (108), wherein the aesthetic cover member (114) includes a vertical portion (140) which abuts an outer periphery of the sealing member (136) to secure the sealing member (136) in the compact HVAC panel assembly (100), and 5 thereby eliminating misalignment of the sealing member (136).
10. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the aesthetic cover member (114) is provided with an improved height ‘H’ to improve visibility of texts/symbols on an LCD panel (108). 10
11. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of push-transitional switches (122) includes a first guiding slot (124-1) and a second guiding slot (124-2), wherein each of the plurality of the push-transitional switches (122) is positioned in a manner that a distance ‘L1’ is defined between a central 15 axis C-C’ of the housing member (104) and the first guiding slot (124-1), and a distance L2 is defined between the central axis C-C’ and the second guiding slot (124-2).
12. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the push-transitional switches (122) is provided with a pair of protrusions (127) formed on a 20 surface of the push-transitional switches (122), each of the pair of protrusions (127) being formed to provide a tactile feel to the user while operating the push-transitional switches (122).
13. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the 25 plurality push-toggle switches (120) and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches (122) includes a plurality of guiding slots (124) corresponding to a plurality of ribs (115), wherein each of the plurality of guiding slots (124) defines a first surface 402, a second surface 404 and a third surface 406.
14. The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of push-toggle switches (120) and each of the plurality of push-transitional switches (122) are positioned in a manner that a clearance ‘C2’ is defined between the 21
second surface (404) and one of the plurality of ribs (115), and a clearance ‘C3’ is defined between the first surface (402) and one of the plurality of guiding ribs (115).
15.The compact HVAC panel assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of push-toggle switches (120) and each of the plurality of push-transitional5 switches (122) include an outer surface (408), wherein a clearance ‘C1’ is definedbetween the outer surface (408) and one of the plurality of ribs (115).