Claims:We claim,
1. A plunger 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 plunger type side stand switch assembly (100) comprises of a stainless steel plunger (102), two bushes for tight fixing - bush-A (104) and Bush-B (108), an O-ring (106) in between the bushes (104,108) for sealing, a shunt metal part (110) made of Mild steel, a spring (114) made of stainless steel, PCB assembly (118), a rubber grommet (120), and a magnet (122);
all the components are covered in a housing (116) with two holes for mounting bushes (124);
the PCB assembly (118) 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 (122);
the PCB assembly (118) and magnet (122) are fixed in the assembly (100) by epoxy potting and wiring harness (126) and connector 3 pole (128) are attached to the PCB assembly (118) by epoxy coating and are sealed;
the plunger(102) of the assembly (100) moves in a to and fro linear 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 side stand switch assembly (100) is mounted on the vehicle stand mounting plate (130) that is a fixed plate of the vehicle chassis with two holes that align with the mounting bushes (124) of the assembly (100).
3. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly (100) is mounted in such a way that the plunger (102) is facing the vehicle side stand (132) and the wiring harness (126) and connector 3 pole (128) are facing in the opposite direction of the side stand (132).
4. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiring harness (126) 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 plunger (102) is in a completely pressed position and is a normal IN position by flat strip of the vehicle side stand (132) presses against the plunger (102) and keeps it a pressed position.
6. 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 shunt metal (110) is in between the magnet (122) and the hall sensor in the PCB assembly (118) because of which the magnetic flux is cut and the output voltage is in low conditions and this low voltage reaches to the vehicle ECU and the ECU delivers low voltage and gives the ON signal to engine and the vehicle engine remains ON.
7. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the side stand (132) begins to retracted, the flat strip on the side stand (132) starts to release contact from the plunger (102) as it moves away from the assembly (100), simultaneously, the plunger (102) begins to release in a linear direction.
8. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the change in position of the plunger (102) causes the shunt metal (110) inside the side stand switch assembly (100) to move away from the magnet (122) and the PCB assembly (118) and this condition in the side stand switch starts the switch in ON condition and the voltage output is high which is given to the ECU and the ECU gives signal to the engine to stop and in this condition, the magnetic flux reached the Hall sensor in the PCB assembly (118).
9. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the side stand (132) is completely retracted and is fully down on the ground, the vehicle is parked and at this position, the plunger (102) is fully released (pulled out) linearly and is in an OUT position.
10. The side stand switch assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the change in position of the plunger (102) causes the plunger (102) to be fully released (pulled out) linearly and is in an OUT position because of which the shunt metal made of mild steel (110) also moves, such that it is not in between the magnet (122) and the PCB assembly (118) which results in the magnetic flux in reaching the hall sensor in the PCB assembly (118) and the output voltage will be high.
, 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, light weight plunger type 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 contact and a rotor member having a moving contact. 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. 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.
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 is linear type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a side stand switch assembly which 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.
The present invention describes a plunger 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. The plunger type side stand switch assembly comprises of a stainless steel plunger, two bushes for tight fixing - bush-A and Bush-B , an O-ring in between the bushes for sealing, a shunt metal part made of Mild steel, a spring made of stainless steel, PCB assembly, a rubber grommet, and a magnet. All the components are covered in a housing with two holes for mounting bushes.
According to an 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.
According to an aspect of the invention, 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. The plunger of the assembly moves in a to and fro linear movement when it is pressed (actuated) by the vehicle side stand that has an angular movement.
According to an aspect of the invention, 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 exploded view of the side stand switch assembly as shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG.4A is a perspective view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly when the side stand is in non-retracted position (up position), according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG.4B is a perspective view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly when the side stand is in semi-retracted position, according to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG.4C is a perspective view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly when the side stand is in completed retracted position (down position), 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 Plunger made of stainless steel
104 Bush-A
106 O-ring
108 Bush-B
110 Shunt metal made of mild steel
114 Stainless steel spring
116 Housing
118 PCB assembly
120 Rubber grommet
122 Magnet
124 Mounting Bushes
126 Wire harness
128 Connector 3 pole
130 Vehicle stand mounting plate
132 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 FIG. 1 and 2 of the present invention, the top view and the bottom view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly (100) are described. The side stand switch assembly (100) comprises of a stainless steel plunger (102), a housing (116) with two mounting bushes (124), a wiring harness (126) with a connector (128) and a slot for magnet (122) potting. The bottom view of the assembly shows the slot or pocket for PCB assembly (118).
According to FIG. 3 of the present invention, an exploded view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly (100) is described. The assembly comprises of the stainless steel plunger (102), the two bushes for tight fixing - bush-A (104) and Bush-B (108), an O-ring (106) in between the bushes (104,108) for sealing, a shunt metal part (110) made of Mild steel, a spring (114) made of stainless steel . The side stand switch assembly also comprises of the PCB assembly (118), a rubber grommet (120), and a magnet (122). All these components are covered by the housing (116). The housing (116) has two holes with mounting bushes (124). The wiring harness (126) and the connector 3 pole (128) connect the side stand switch assembly to the vehicle engine. The PCB assembly (118) has an Integrated circuit with a Hall sensor and other electronic parts. The hall sensor senses the change in the magnetic field generated by the magnet (122). Magnet (122) potting is done after fixing the magnet (122). Epoxy Potting is done in the PCB assembly (118) and wiring harness (126) and connector 3 pole (128) 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 side stand switch assembly (100) is mounted on the vehicle stand mounting plate (130) that is a fixed plate of the vehicle chassis with two holes that align with the mounting bushes (124) of the assembly (100). The assembly (100) is mounted in such a way that the plunger (102) is facing the vehicle side stand (132) and the wiring harness (126) and connector 3 pole (128) are facing in the opposite direction of the side stand (132).
According to Figure 4A of the present invention, a perspective view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly when the side stand is in non-retracted position (up position) is described. When the side stand (132) is a non-retracted position, that is in a horizontal up position, the plunger (102) is in a completely pressed position and is a normal IN position. A flat strip of the vehicle side stand (132) presses against the plunger (102) and keeps it a pressed position when the vehicle side stand is not retracted and is in a horizontal position. During this condition, the shunt metal (110) is in between the magnet (122) and the hall sensor in the PCB assembly (118) because of which the magnetic flux is cut and the output voltage is in low conditions. The low voltage reaches to the vehicle ECU and the ECU delivers low voltage and gives the ON signal to engine. The vehicle engine remains ON.
According to the FIG.4B of the present invention, a perspective view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly is described when the side stand is in semi-retracted position. When the side stand begins to be retracted, the flat strip on the side stand (132) starts to release the plunger (102) in a linear direction because it moves away from the assembly (100). At this stage, the shunt metal (110) inside the side stand switch assembly (100) starts to move away from the magnet (122) and the PCB assembly (118). This condition in the side stand switch starts the switch in ON condition and the voltage output is high. The high output is given to the ECU and the ECU gives signal to the engine to stop. In this condition, the magnetic flux reached the Hall sensor in the PCB assembly (118).
According to FIG.4C of the present invention, a perspective view of the plunger type side stand switch assembly is described, when the side stand is in completed retracted position (down position), according to an embodiment of the invention. When the side stand (132) is completely retracted and is fully down on the ground, the vehicle is parked. At this position, the plunger (102) is fully released (pulled out) linearly and is in an OUT position. The shunt metal made of mild steel (110) is also moved , such that it is not in between the magnet (122) and the PCB assembly (118). This results in the magnetic flux in reaching the hall sensor in the PCB assembly (118) and the output voltage will be high. At this position, the plunger (102) is fully out . The plunger position can be customized. The plunger(102) thereby moves in a to and fro linear movement when it is pressed (actuated) by the vehicle side stand (132) that has an angular movement.
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.