DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Title of invention:
A MULTIFUNCTIONAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR OPERATING CONTROLS IN A VEHICLE

APPLICANT
Varroc Engineering Ltd.
An Indian entity having address as:

L-4, MIDC Waluj,
Aurangabad-431136,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
The present application claim priority from Indian provisional patent application 202021019612 filed on 08 June 2020.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to the field of switch assemblies in a vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a multifunctional switch assembly in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Typically, an automobile comprises various mechanical accessories and electronic components for operating of the automobile. For example, a handlebar assembly of a two-wheeler vehicle may comprise electronic components including ECUs, micro controllers, instrument cluster, head lamps, mirrors, blinkers, and the like. These electronic components are operated via a plurality of switches. These switches are provided on the handlebar assembly, either or left or right side of the handlebar assembly or both. The driver of the vehicle presses one of the plurality of switches for indicating the navigation path of the vehicle.

In the current scenario, each of the plurality of switches on the handlebar of the vehicle is adapted to perform a single operation such as turning on indicators to display right turn, left turn, high beam, low beam, triggering the ignition of the vehicle, blowing a horn, and the like. Therefore, it is evident that existing handlebar assembly requires large number of switches to be installed/assembled therein in order to perform the desired operations associated to the vehicle. Due to presence of large number of switches on the handlebar assembly, these assemblies are prone to technical challenges/drawbacks including, but are not limited to, increase in assembling time, manufacturing and/or maintenance costs, circuit design complexity, space consumption, power consumption, and the like.

Thus, there is a long-standing need for an improved switch assembly for the handlebar assembly of a vehicle that alleviates the aforementioned technical challenges/drawbacks.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce the concepts related to a multifunctional switch assembly in a vehicle and the concepts are further described in the detail description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor it is intended to use in determining or limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.

In one implementation, the present subject matter describes a multifunctional switch assembly in a vehicle, in accordance with the present subject matter. The multifunctional switch assembly may comprise a left hand (LH) switch (hereafter referred as “LH Switch” interchangeably) and a right hand (RH) switch (hereafter referred as “RH Switch” interchangeably). The LH switch and the RH switch may be integrated on the left-hand side and right hand side of the handlebar assembly respectively. In one embodiment, the LH switch may comprise a pass knob, a left blinker knob, a horn knob, and an HB/LB knob. In one embodiment, the RH switch may comprise a reset knob, a drive knob, a right blinker knob and a start knob.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one knob on the handlebar assembly may be configured to perform multiple functions. The multifunctional switch assembly may be integrated to the handlebar assembly through CAN configuration. The knobs of the multifunctional switch assembly may be connected to a microcontroller in the CAN assembly, wherein the microcontroller may receive the user pressed inputs of the knobs. Each type of user pressed inputs on a single knob may correspond to different operation of the multiple operations. The microcontroller may process the inputs and generate the corresponding outputs on the indicators of the vehicle, thereby realizing the functions or operations of each knob.
In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure a multifunctional switch assembly 100 for a handlebar 200 is disclosed. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 may comprise a left hand (LH) switch 105 mounted on the handlebar 200, wherein the left hand (LH) switch 105 further comprises a pass knob 101, a left blinker knob 102, a horn knob 103, and an HB/LB knob 104. Further a right hand (RH) switch 106 mounted on the handlebar 200, wherein the right hand (RH) switch 106 further comprises a reset knob 107, a drive knob 108, a right blinker knob 109 and a start knob 110. The multifunctional switch assembly is characterized wherein the left blinker knob 102 and the right blinker knob 109 are configured to activate hazard blinker when pressed together, and to deactivate the hazard blinker by pressing any knob selected from the pass knob 101, the left blinker knob 102, the horn knob 103, the HB/LB knob 104, the reset knob 107, the drive knob 108, the right blinker knob 109 or the start knob 110.

In another implementation of the present disclosure a method to perform multiple function using a multifunctional switch assembly 100 is disclosed. The method comprises steps of activating a hazard blinker by simultaneously pressing the left blinker knob 102, and the right blinker knob 109. Further activating a left blinker by short pressing the left blinker knob 102, and simultaneously deactivating the right blinker. The method further comprises activating a right blinker by short pressing the right blinker knob 109, and simultaneously deactivating the left blinker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the Figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the Figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates a multifunctional switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates a handlebar assembly 200 of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

Figures 3a and Figure 3b illustrates a left hand and a right-hand switch output configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates a multifunctional switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. In one embodiment, the multifunctional switch assembly 100 may comprise a left hand (LH) switch 105 (hereafter referred as LH switch 105) and a right hand (RH) switch 106 (hereafter referred as RH switch 106). In one embodiment, the LH switch 105 and the RH switch 106 may be CAN based switch adapted to operate on basis of CAN protocol. In alternative embodiments, the LH switch 105 and the RH switch 106 may be adapted to operate via different protocols and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to CAN based switches. The LH switch 105 may comprise a pass knob 101, a left blinker knob 102, a horn knob 103, and an HB/LB knob 104. The RH switch 106 may comprise a reset knob 107, a drive knob 108, a right blinker knob 109 and a start knob 110. In one embodiment, one or more of the above-mentioned knobs may be configured to perform multiple functions as described below.

In one embodiment, multiple operations of single high beam (HB), low beam (LB), and DRL enabled by the head lamp switch 104 is depicted in Table 1 below:

Sr. No. CURRENT KNOB STATE HEAD LAMP SWITCH (104) STATUS ACTION
1 DRL (HIGH INTENSITY) 1st PRESS LOW BEAM + DRL (LOW INTENSITY)
2 LOW BEAM + DRL (LOW INTENSITY) 2nd PRESS HIGH BEAM + LOW BEAM + DRL (LOW INTENSITY)
3 HIGH BEAM + LOW BEAM + DRL (LOW INTENSITY) 3rd PRESS DRL (HIGH INTENSITY)
Table 1

In one embodiment, multiple operations enabled by the LH/RH blinker switch is depicted in Table 2 below:

Sr. No. CURRENT KNOB STATE RH KNOB (109) LH KNOB (102) ACTION
RH BLINKER LH BLINKER
1 OFF OFF SHORT PRESS NA BLINKER RH & MIRROR BLINKER RH ON
2 OFF OFF NA SHORT PRESS BLINKER LH & MIRROR BLINKER LH ON
3 ON OFF OPEN SHORT PRESS BLINKER RH & MIRROR BLINKER RH OFF; BLINKER LH & MIRROR BLINKER LH ON
4 OFF ON SHORT PRESS OPEN BLINKER LH & MIRROR BLINKER LH OFF; BLINKER RH & MIRROR BLINKER RH ON;
5 ON OFF SHORT PRESS OPEN BLINKER RH & MIRROR BLINKER RH OFF
6 OFF ON OPEN SHORT PRESS BLINKER RH & MIRROR BLINKER RH OFF
7 OFF OFF LONG PRESS LONG PRESS HAZARD SWITCH ON
8 ON ON ANY KNOB PRESS HAZARD SWITCH OFF
Table 2

In one embodiment, one or more diagnostic conditions i.e. action may be provided for a plurality of knobs on the LH switch 105 and RH switch 106. In an embodiment, a current switch status may be received over a CAN assembly in the handlebar assembly 200 (shown in figure 2). For example, if a switch gets short circuited, the CAN assembly may transmit such information to all ECU. Such information may also be further transmitted to other ECU in order to take necessary actions.

Figure 2 illustrates a handlebar assembly 200 of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. In one embodiment, the multifunctional switch assembly 100 comprising the LH switch 105 and the RH switch 106 may be integrated on the left-hand side and right-hand side of the handlebar assembly 100. In one embodiment, the handlebar assembly 200 may be used in a two or three-wheeler vehicle. Further in an exemplary embodiment the handlebar assembly may comprise a microcontroller or a microprocessor configured receive the signals from the knob, wherein the microcontroller may be a cluster microcontroller.

Figures 3a and Figure 3b illustrates schematic diagram 300 for the left hand (LH) and the right hand (RH) switch assembly respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of a present subject matter. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 may be integrated to the handlebar assembly 200 through CAN configuration. The knobs of the multifunctional switch assembly 100 may be connected to a microcontroller in the CAN assembly. In one embodiment, the microcontroller may receive the user pressed inputs of the knobs. The microcontroller may process the inputs and generate the corresponding outputs on the indicators of the vehicle, thereby realizing the functions or operations of each knob.

Therefore, since the switch assembly 100 integrated and/or assembled in the handlebar assembly 200 contains switches configured to perform multiple functions or operations as described, the number of switches on the handlebar assembly is significantly reduced thereby further enabling in reduction of assembling time, manufacturing and/or maintenance costs, circuit design complexity, space consumption, power consumption, and the like.

Further in accordance with the exemplary embodiment the multifunctional switch assembly 100 for a handlebar 200, may comprise a left hand (LH) switch 105 mounted on the handlebar 200. The left hand (LH) switch 105 may further comprises a pass knob 101, a left blinker knob 102, a horn knob 103, and an HB/LB knob 104. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 further comprises a right hand (RH) switch 106 mounted on the handlebar 200. The right hand (RH) switch 106 further comprises a reset knob 107, a drive knob 108, a right blinker knob 109 and a start knob 110. In accordance with the embodiment the left blinker knob 102 and the right blinker knob 109 are configured to activate hazard blinker when pressed together, and to deactivate the hazard blinker by pressing any knob selected from the pass knob 101, the left blinker knob 102, the horn knob 103, the HB/LB knob 104, the reset knob 107, the drive knob 108, the right blinker knob 109 or the start knob 110. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 may further be configured to activate the left blinker, and deactivate the right blinker by a short press of the left blinker knob 102.

Further in accordance with the present embodiment a short press of the right blinker knob 109 enables activation of the right blinker, and deactivation of the left blinker. The left hand (LH) switch 105, and the right hand (RH) switch 106 are communicably connected to a microcontroller via a CAN Protocol, wherein the signal from the plurality of knobs are sent via the CAN protocol to the microcontroller.

The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM

1. A multifunctional switch assembly 100 for a handlebar 200, the multifunctional switch assembly 100 comprises:
a left hand (LH) switch 105 mounted on the handlebar 200, wherein the left hand (LH) switch 105 further comprises a pass knob 101, a left blinker knob 102, a horn knob 103, and an HB/LB knob 104; and
a right hand (RH) switch 106 mounted on the handlebar 200, wherein the right hand (RH) switch 106 further comprises a reset knob 107, a drive knob 108, a right blinker knob 109 and a start knob 110;
characterized wherein the left blinker knob 102 and the right blinker knob 109 are configured to activate hazard blinker when pressed together, and to deactivate the hazard blinker by pressing any knob selected from the pass knob 101, the left blinker knob 102, the horn knob 103, the HB/LB knob 104, the reset knob 107, the drive knob 108, the right blinker knob 109 or the start knob 110.
2. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a short press of the left blinker knob 102 enables activation of the left blinker, and deactivation of the right blinker.
3. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a short press of the right blinker knob 109 enables activation of the right blinker, and deactivation of the left blinker.
4. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left hand (LH) switch 105, and the right hand (RH) switch 106 are communicably connected to a microcontroller via a CAN Protocol, wherein the signal from the plurality of knobs are sent via the CAN protocol to the microcontroller.
5. The multifunctional switch assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a blinker mounted on a left mirror, and a right mirror.
6. A method to perform multiple function using a multifunctional switch assembly 100, the method comprising:
activating a hazard blinker by simultaneously pressing the left blinker knob 102, and the right blinker knob 109;
activating a left blinker by short pressing the left blinker knob 102, and simultaneously deactivating the right blinker; and
activating a right blinker by short pressing the right blinker knob 109, and simultaneously deactivating the left blinker.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprises deactivating hazard blinker by pressing any knob selected from a pass knob 101, the left blinker knob 102, a horn knob 103, a HB/LB knob 104, a reset knob 107, a drive knob 108, the right blinker knob 109, or a start knob 110.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprises sending knob signals to a microcontroller over a CAN protocol.

Dated this 08th June 2020

Priyank Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
IN/PA- 1454