The present disclosure relates to power window switch assembly and in particular, relates
to a sealing member in the power window switch assembly.
BACKGROUND
10 Power window systems are the systems to push up and pull-down vehicle windows by
means of regulators driven by electric motors. The controllers namely power window switching
devices operated to push up and pull down the windows are installed in a bezel in the doors.
Generally, the power window switching devices includes an arrangement of multiple
electro-mechanically connected actuating components which are operated by the user. An
15 actuation knob is visibly mounted on the bezel and user have options such as pushing the
actuation knob or pulling to close or open the window in the vehicle. When the user operates the
actuation knob, multiple components connected with the actuation knob perform their
designated function. The push or pull force applied on the actuation knob by the user directly
actuates the module coupled with the actuation knob which in turn sends a communication to a
20 printed circuit board (PCB) for performing operation on the window. Generally, in a typical
example of the power window, the window regulator is driven by an electrical actuator that
drives the mechanism to move the window up and down. The electrical actuator is actuated by
actuation knob. The typical actuation knob is a three position, return to center mechanically
actuated momentary switch with the center position being one of the three positions. The
25 actuation knob moved by a user closes first and second contacts of the switch that connects
electrical power to the electrical actuator to cause the electrical actuator to move the window up
or down.
Though only the actuation knob is visible to the user, the multiple components as
described above placed inside a housing in the bezel plays crucial role in the operation of the
30 power window.
In today's power window switch assembly’s automobile designers are striving to consider
the problem of preventing dust and extra foreign material getting inside the power window
switch assembly. Insects such as ants, dust, microparticles find their way through the gap
between the actuation knob, housing and the inner components. The invasion of foreign material
3
in the power switch assembly is hazardous for the switch and cause the breakdown of
connections and failure of operation.

Therefore, there is a need for solution to overcome the abovementioned deficiencies.
5
SUMMARY
In an embodiment of the present disclosure a power window switch assembly is disclosed.
The power window switch assembly includes a housing; an actuation knob mounted on a top
10 surface of the housing. A module is disposed inside the housing and adapted to be coupled with
the actuation knob, wherein the actuation knob is in communication with the module.
In an aspect of the invention, a ring member is adapted to a contour of the module,
disposed circumferentially outwardly at a proximal part of the module.
In another aspect of the invention, the ring member having a groove at a lateral side of the
15 ring member.
In an aspect of the invention, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) disposed inside the housing is
coupled with a distal part of the module.
In an aspect of the invention, the ring member is made of a resilient, compressible
material, wherein the groove having spring action adapted to be pressed radially.
20 In another aspect of the invention, the ring member having an integrally formed arm
perpendicular to the groove and extending towards the distal part of the module.
In another aspect of the invention, the ring member is adapted to be in contact with an
inner surface of the housing eliminating gap between the module and the housing.
In an aspect of the invention, the actuation knob is pivotally coupled with the module,
25 adapted to operate the power window in the vehicle.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
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
30 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.
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become
5 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 top view of a bezel in a vehicle with a power
10 window switch assembly mounted, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1a illustrates a sectional view of the power window switch assembly mounted on
the bezel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
15 Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a module and a ring member mounted
circumferentially outwardly on the module, according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the module and the ring member, according to the
20 embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a partial section view of the module and the ring member mounted
circumferentially outwardly on the module, according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
25
Figure 5 illustrates a partial section view of the module and the ring member mounted
circumferentially outwardly on the module, according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
30 Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have 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
5
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
5 description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
10 will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
15 relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
20 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be
25 used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
30
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be
restrictive thereof.
6
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar
language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language
5 throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover
a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
10 process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional
structures or additional components.
15
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.
20
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
25 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.”
30 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.
7
Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one
embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and
5 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.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,”
“comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact
10 limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more
features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the
possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with
the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
15 Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either
way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least
one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at
least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element,
unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ”
20 or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms,
used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an
ordinary skill in the art.
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
30 the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
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
8
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
5 embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all
embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or
elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in
the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all
embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any
10 appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the
context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context
of a single embodiment.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to
15 the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a top view of a bezel 112 in a vehicle with a
power window switch assembly mounted, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 1a illustrates a Section W-W view of the power window switch assembly 100 in context
20 of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An actuation knob 110 as is
illustrated in corresponding Figures is mounted on a housing 118. The actuation knob 110 is
visibly accessible to the user for pushing or pulling the actuation knob 110 thus actuating the
power window switch assembly 100 for operating the opening or closing of the window in the
vehicle. Generally, the housing 118 is fitted into door of the vehicle with a top surface only
25 visible to the user.
In power window switch assembly 100, a module 114 is disposed inside a hollowed space
of the housing 118. The module 114 is planted below the actuation knob 110 such that the
actuation knob 110 is coupled with a top part of the module 114 while resting on the top surface
of the housing 118. The coupling between the actuation knob 110 and the module 114 leads to
30 transfer of communication between the actuation 110 and the module 114. When the user
actuates the actuation knob 110, the module 114 closes circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB)
111. The PCB 111 is disposed inside the housing 118 coupled at bottom part or the distal part of
the module 114. When the circuit closes on the PCB 111, a signal to a microcontroller or to an
9
actuating motor is generated for closing or opening the window. Thus, this process of
communication between the actuation knob 110 and the module 114 is significant for operation
of power window in vehicle.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the module 114 and a ring member 120 mounted
5 circumferentially outwardly on the module 114, according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the module 114 and the ring member 120,
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The ring member 120 is made of a
resilient, compressible material disposed circumferentially outwardly at a proximal part 116 of
the module 114. The ring member 120 forms a peripheral sealing towards the proximal part 116
10 of the module 114, adjoining the surface where the actuation knob 110 is coupled with the
module 114.
In an illustration of the present invention, the ring member 120 have a groove 122 formed
on a lateral side of the ring member 120. When the ring member 120 is disposed on the proximal
part 116 of the module 114, the groove is situated towards the lateral side as to be in a transverse
15 axis from the operation and placement of the actuation knob or parallel to the width of the
vehicle. As the ring member 120 is made of resilient material, preferably a mixture of nylon
based plastic material it imparts compressible nature. When pressure is applied on the ring
member 120 it tends to be compressed showing a spring action. Thus, the groove 122 have
spring action and is adapted to be pressed radially when force is applied from the top. The ring
20 member 120 with its resilient properties maintains a tight fitting around the periphery of the
proximal part 116 of the module 114 and eliminates any gap between the module 114 and the
housing 118. The ring member 120 constantly maintains connect with the housing 118 and
module 114 so that entry of any foreign material or insect is prevented. The ring member 120
forms a secured sealing around the module 114.
25 In an aspect of the invention, an arm 124 integrally formed perpendicular to the groove
122 and extending towards the distal part of the module 114.
Figure 4 illustrates a partial section view of the module and the ring member mounted
circumferentially outwardly on the module, according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure. Preferably, the Figure 4 is a section U-U partial view from the Figure 1a. The side
30 view in Figure 4 illustrates, the ring member 120 with certain thickness is mounted on the
module 114. The ring member 120 maintains a constant secured connection with an inner
surface 119 of the housing 118. Preferably, a zero-gap state is maintained between the module
114 and the inner surface 119 of the housing 118. The zero-gap thus achieves a preventive
10
sealing to stop insects or any other foreign material to enter inside the hollowed cavity of
housing from the top surface of the housing. This arrangement protects the components inside
the housing and their operation.
In an illustration of the present invention, the groove 122 is a cut-out formed on the lateral
5 sides of the ring member 120 to provide a successful compressible action when force is applied
form the top of the ring member 120. For this purpose, the grove 122 with the cut-out is
disposed more towards the distal part of the module 114.
Figure 5 illustrates a partial section view of the module 114 and the ring member 120
mounted circumferentially outwardly on the module 114, according to the embodiment of the
10 present disclosure. Preferably, the Figure 5 is a section V-V partial view from the Figure 1a. The
top view illustration in Figure 5 illustrates the ring member 120 forming peripheral sealing
around the module 114.

We Claim:
1. A power window switch assembly (100) comprising:
a housing (118);
an actuation knob (110) mounted on a top surface of the housing (118);
5 a module (114) disposed inside the housing (118) and adapted to be coupled with
the actuation knob (110),
wherein the actuation knob (110) is in communication with the module (114);
characterized in that
a ring member (120) adapted to a contour of the module (114), disposed
10 circumferentially outwardly at a proximal part (116) of the module (114),
wherein the ring member (120) having a groove (122) at a lateral side of the ring
member (120).
2. The power window switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a Printed
Circuit Board (PCB) (111) disposed inside the housing (118), coupled with a distal part
15 (115) of the module (114).
3. The power window switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the ring
member (120) is made of a resilient, compressible material, wherein the groove (122)
having spring action adapted to be pressed radially.
4. The power window switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the ring
20 member (120) having an integrally formed arm (124) perpendicular to the groove (122)
and extending towards the distal part (115) of the module (114).
5. The power window switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ring
member (120) is adapted to be in contact with an inner surface (119) of the housing (118)
eliminating gap between the module (114) and the housing (118).
25 6. The power window switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the actuation
knob (110) is pivotally coupled with the module (114), adapted to operate the power
window in the vehicle.