DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention generally relates to a low current switch adaptable to handlebars of motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Mechanical switches have long been used to control various components of motor vehicles. These components include but are not limited to front and rear lights, turn indicators, horn, pass lights, hazard lights etc. Mechanical switches are typically mounted on a handle of an automobile, more specifically, on a handlebar of a two wheeler or a three wheeler. Generally, the mechanical switches are docked onto a body which receives the switch. Further, plurality of wires connects the mechanical switch to the various components of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, the switch is operated by a user to achieve a desired function, for e.g., indicating a turn.
[003] In order to be operable, the mechanical switches have a minute gap around their periphery. However, these gaps around the switches allow dirt, water and other pollutants to pass through. The dirt and water get trapped within the switch and undesirably affect wires or circuits beneath which leads to electrical shorts and other malfunctions.
[004] To overcome this problem, various touch switches have been developed to replace conventional mechanical switches. These touch switches typically have a touch pad having at least one electrode. The touch switches work by sending electronic signals via the electrodes to generate an intended response of lighting a head lamp or switching a turn indicator. Since the touch switches do not have moving parts, they do not have gaps like mechanical switches. Therefore, using touch switches is advantageous as compared to mechanical switches since they protect wires and circuits from dust.
[005] However, one of the most persistent problems which even the touch switches could not solve was malfunctions / damage to wires and circuits caused due to water seepage. It may be noted that switches mounted on two wheelers and three wheelers are at a higher risk of exposure to moisture than four wheelers. Accordingly, the switches on the two and three wheelers tend to malfunction at first instance of rain. This is to say, that the conventional touch switches do not offer water resistance. Further, the touch switches also suffer from problems associated with crosstalk, i.e., interference between the electric fields about adjacent touch pads. Crosstalk can cause a wrong touch switch to be actuated or can cause two switches to be actuated simultaneously by a single touch. Further, touch switches are also susceptible to unintended actuations due to electrical interferences affecting functioning of the touch pad itself.
[006] Moreover, existing touch switches commonly require complicated control circuits in order to execute functioning of the components they control. These control circuits comprise of a large number of discrete components which occupy considerable space on a circuit board, increasing the size of the touch pad. An increased size of the touch pad makes it difficult to use while riding or driving and causes distraction to the user.
[007] Hence, there is a need in the art for a low current switch which not only is compact and robust, but is also impenetrable to water, dust and other pollutants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] The present invention provides a low current switch. low current switch comprises a knob having a front side and a rear side, the front side having at least one operable region configured to be pressed by a user, the rear side having a corresponding stem beneath the operable region; at least one pusher corresponding with and abutting the stem; a guiding plate having at least one hollow cylindrical guide, the cylindrical guide receives the pusher such that the pusher is axially movable within the cylindrical guide; a membrane having a front side and a rear side, the front side having a button aligned with the pusher, the rear side having a conducting pill aligned with the button; and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) having a conductive trace, the conductive trace corresponding and aligned with the conductive pill such that when a user presses the operable region, the stem is displaced causing a further displacement of the corresponding pusher, the pusher displaces the corresponding button thereby causing the conductive pill to make contact with the conductive trace on the PCB thereby causing a desired outcome.
[009] In an embodiment of the invention, the low current switch comprises an outer case having an open region, whereby the open region receives the knob.
[010] In another embodiment of the invention, the front side of the knob comprises four operable regions. In another embodiment of the invention, the rear side of the knob comprises four stems. In another embodiment of the present invention, the low current switch has four pushers corresponding and abutting with the stems.
[011] In another embodiment of the invention, the guiding plate comprises four hollow cylindrical guides such that pushers are axially movable inside the cylindrical guides.
[012] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the guiding plate comprises four hollow cylindrical guides. Further, the guiding plate comprises a hole made therethrough. In another embodiment, the front side of the membrane comprises four buttons.
[013] In another embodiment of the invention, the rear side of the membrane has four conductive pills, each pill aligned to each of the four buttons.
[014] In another embodiment of the invention, the membrane comprises a hole made therethrough. Further, the membrane comprises a diffuser mounted on the hole. In a further embodiment of the invention, the membrane comprises a cut and an undercut thus forming a recess, whereby the recess receives the PCB.
[015] In an embodiment of the invention, the PCB comprises four conductive traces, each conductive trace aligned with each of the four conductive pills.
[016] In another embodiment of the invention, the PCB has a light source mounted thereon, the light source emits light which travels through the membrane and the guiding plate and is received by the rear side of the knob causing an illumination of the knob.
[017] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the light source is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[018] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the low current switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a knob in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2a shows a rear side of the knob in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a guiding plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows pushers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a membrane in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5a shows a rear side of the membrane in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5b shows a magnified view of membrane features required for sealing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a PCB sub-assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 shows a base plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 shows a magnified view of a button along with a conductive pill and conductive traces in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view of the low current switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 10 shows a cross sectional view of the low current switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 11 shows a lip seal structure of membrane and base plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a low current switch for motor vehicles, more particularly, two and three wheeler motor vehicles which can be mounted over a handlebar.
[020] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a low current switch 100. The switch has an outer case 110. The outer case 110 has an open region in order to receive a knob 120. The knob 120 is of a shape such that it conforms to the shape of the open region. Thus, when the knob 120 is received in the open region, it snuggly fits therein and is operable by a user. The outer case 110 has means to be coupled with a handlebar of a motor vehicle.
[021] As shown in figure 2, the knob 120 has a front side 122 and a rear side 124. The front side is divided into a plurality of regions. In an embodiment as shown in figure 2, the front side is divided into four operable regions 122a, 122b, 122c, and 122d. Each operable region is configured to be pressed by the user in order to achieve a desired outcome for e.g., indicating a turn, or indicating a pass light or switching on a headlight etc. The rear side of the knob 120 has a plurality of stems corresponding to the number of operable regions. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 2a, the rear side 124 of the knob 120 has four stems 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d. The four stems 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d correspond to the four operable regions 122a, 122b, 122c and 122d on the front side 122 of the knob 120. Material of the knob 120 is such that, when the user presses any operable region of the knob 120, the pressed operable region hinges about the extreme point at the region opposite to it, and the operable region returns back to its original position upon being released.
[022] Further, the rear side 124 of the knob 120 also has a plurality of locating pins. The locating pins are provided to reduce free play between the outer case 110 and the knob 120. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 2a, there are 2 locating pins 126a and 126b on the rear side 124 of the knob 120.
[023] Furthermore, the rear side 124 of the knob 120 has a plurality of stoppers. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 2a, the knob 120 has four stoppers 128a, 128b, 128c and 128d. Thus, when the knob 120 is pressed at its center, the stoppers 128a, 128b, 128c and 128d prevent displacement of all the stems 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d at once and therefore actuation of multiple components in a single press is prevented.
[024] Further, as shown in Figure 1, the switch 100 has a guiding plate 130. The guiding 130 plate has a plurality of cylindrical guides corresponding to the plurality of the stems. In an embodiment, and as shown in Figure 3, the guiding plate 130 has four cylindrical guides 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d.
[025] Referring to Figure 4, the switch 100 has a plurality of pushers. In an embodiment, the switch 100 has four pushers 142a, 142b, 142c and 142d. As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical guides 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d receive the pushers 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d. The cylindrical guides 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d thus limit displacement of the pushers 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d to an axial movement only. Further, the pushers 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d are aligned with the respective stems 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d such that, when the user presses any of the operable regions on the front side 122 of the knob 110, the respective stem on the rear side of the knob 110, which is aligned with that operable region, is displaced causing a further displacement of the corresponding pusher. The cylindrical guides 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d thus ensure that the pushers 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d are displaced in a single direction only. The guiding plate 130 further has a hole 134 made therethrough to pass light emitted from a light source.
[026] The guiding plate 130 also has a plurality of locating guides. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 3, the guiding plate 130 has locating guides 136a and 136b. The locating guides 136a and 136b are at predetermined locations and they engage with the locating pins 126a and 126b thus restricting any undesirable play experienced while operating the knob 110.
[027] As shown in Figure 1, the switch 100 further has a membrane 150 present below the guiding plate 130. The membrane 150 has a plurality of buttons. The buttons are made of a flexible material such that once the button is pressed it retains its original position upon release. The buttons on the membrane have a front side and a rear side. The buttons correspond to and are aligned with the plurality of pushers. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 5, the membrane 150 has four buttons 152a, 152b, 152c, and 152d. The front side of each of the button receives pressure from the respective corresponding pusher thereby transferring the pressure to the rear side of the respective button. Each rear side of each button has at least one conductive pill. In the present embodiment as shown in Figure 5a, the rear side of the membrane has four conducting pills 154a, 154b, 154c and 154d. Further, the membrane 150 has a hole 158 made therethrough (as seen in Figure 5a) in order to allow passage of light. Referring to Figure 5, a diffuser 156 is mounted above the hole 158, in order to diffuse the light passing through the hole 158.
[028] Additionally, as shown in Figure 5b, the membrane 150 has a means to encompass components present below it in order for the components to snuggly fit into the means. This ensures complete enclosure of all the components of the switch. Accordingly, the membrane has a cut 158a and an undercut 158b which form a recess 159. The recess 159 receives the components thereby making the switch water resistant.
[029] Referring to Figure 8, the button 152a has a conductive pill 154a on the rear side. Thus, when the pusher 142a engages with and abuts with the button 152a, the conductive pill 154a on the rear side of the button 152a is pressed downwards.
[030] As shown in Figure 1, the switch has a PCB sub-assembly 160 present below the membrane 150. The PCB 160 is a circuit which connects to respective individual components of the motor vehicle. In order to get a desired outcome, e.g. turning on an indicator light, or switching on a headlight, the circuit needs to be completed. For this purpose, the PCB 160 has a plurality of conductive traces. As per the present embodiment, and as shown in Figure 6 the PCB s has four conductive traces 160a, 160b, 160c, and 160d over it which correspond to and are aligned with each conductive pill 154a, 154b, 154c and 154d present on the rear side of the each button 152a, 152b, 152c and 152d of the membrane 150. Accordingly, and as shown in Figure 8, when the button 152a is pressed, the conductive pill 154a makes contact with the conductive trace 160a on the PCB 160 thereby completing the circuit. The completion of the circuit thereby ensures a desired outcome of for e.g. turning on the headlamp on.
[031] The PCB 160 further has at least one light source 162 mounted over it. The light emitted from the light source 162 travels through the hole 156 of the membrane 150 and the hole 134 of the guiding plate 130. The emitted light is consequently received by the knob 110 thereby causing illumination of the knob 110. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the light source 162 on the PCB 160 is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
[032] As shown in Figure 1, the switch 100 has a base plate 170 below the PCB 160. Accordingly, as seen in figure 7, the base plate 170 has a plastic lip 172 around its outer periphery. The baseplate 170 also has a wall 174 provided along the periphery. As shown in Figure 11, the plastic lip 172 snuggly fits into the recess 159 of the membrane 150 ensuring a complete enclosure of all the components of the switch 100. Thus the enclosure of the components as discussed in this embodiment, ascertains water and dust resistance of the switch 100.
[033] Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view of the low current switch 100 of the present invention. As seen in the figure, when the operable region 122b on the knob 120 is pressed by the user, the motion is transferred to the rear side of the knob 120 causing displacement of the stem 124b present on the rear side of the knob 120. Due to this displacement, the stem 124b abuts the pusher 142b and the pusher 142b travels towards the membrane 150. The pusher 142b abuts against the button 152b on the front side of the membrane 150. Upon being pressed, the conductive pill 154b on the rear side of the button 152b makes contact with the PCB 160 thereby completing the circuit and achieving a desired outcome. As soon as pressure is released from the operable region 122b of the knob 110, the region 120b returns to its original position owing to the material and geometry of the keypad on the membrane, thereby disconnecting the circuit. The button 152b pushes the pusher 142b back to its original position too. Further, as seen in Figure 9, the light source 162 emits light which passes through the components and illuminates the knob 110.
[034] Figure 10 shows a cross section view of the low current switch 100 showing working of the locating pins 126a and 126b. As shown in the figure, if any operable region on the knob 110 is inadvertently pressed, the locating pins 126a and 126b of knob engage the locating guides 136a and 136b of guiding plate 130. Limited clearance is provided between the locating pins 126a and 126b; and the guides 136a and 136b such that free play is reduced. Further, as shown in the figure, the stoppers 128a and 128b limit further displacement of the pushers in case of an inadvertent pressing of any operable region of the knob 110.
[035] Advantageously, the low current switch of the present invention is not only impermeable to dust, but is also impermeable to water thereby offering protection against all weather conditions.
[036] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since the modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to the person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosure.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A low current switch (100), comprising:
a knob (120) having a front side (122) and a rear side (124), the front side (122) having at least one operable region configured to be pressed by a user, the rear side (124) having a corresponding stem beneath the operable region;
at least one pusher corresponding with and abutting the stem;
a guiding plate (130) having at least one hollow cylindrical guide, the cylindrical guide receives the pusher such that the pusher is axially movable within the cylindrical guide;
a membrane (150) having a front side and a rear side, the front side having a button aligned with the pusher, the rear side having a conducting pill aligned with the button; and
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (160) having a conductive trace, the conductive trace corresponding and aligned with the conductive pill such that when a user presses the operable region, the stem is displaced causing a further displacement of the corresponding pusher, the pusher displaces the corresponding button thereby causing the conductive pill to make contact with the conductive trace on the PCB (160) thereby causing a desired outcome.

2. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an outer case (110), the outer case (110) having an open region whereby the open region receives the knob (120).

3. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front side (122) of the knob comprises four operable regions (122a, 122b, 122c, 122d).

4. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear side (124) of the knob (120) comprises four stems (124a, 124b, 124c and 124d).

5. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises four pushers (142a, 142b, 142c and 142d) corresponding and abutting with the stems (124a, 124b, 124c and 124d).

6. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding plate (130) comprises four hollow cylindrical guides (132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d) such that pushers (142a, 142b, 142c and 142d) are axially movable inside the cylindrical guides (132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d).

7. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding plate (130) comprises a hole (134) made therethrough.

8. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front side of the membrane (150) comprises four buttons (152a, 152b, 152c, and 152d).

9. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear side of the membrane (150) has four conductive pills (154a, 154b, 154c and 154d), each pill aligned to each of the four buttons (152a, 152b, 152c, and 152d).

10. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane (150) comprises a hole (158) made therethrough.

11. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the membrane (150) comprises a diffuser (156) mounted on the hole (158).

12. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a cut (158a) and an undercut (158b) thus forming a recess (159), whereby the recess (159) receives the PCB (160).

13. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PCB (160) comprises four conductive traces (160a, 160b, 160c, and 160d), each conductive trace aligned with each of the four conductive pills (154a, 154b, 154c and 154d).

14. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PCB (160) comprises a light source (162) mounted thereon, the light source (162) emits light which travels through the membrane (150) and the guiding plate (130) and is received by the rear side (124) of the knob (110) causing an illumination of the knob (110).

15. The low current switch (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light source (162) is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).