DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a fan regulator assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a knob of the fan regulator assembly for effortless adjustment of a fan speed.

BACKGROUND

A fan regulator is an electronic device used to control a speed of a ceiling or table fan. The fan regulator is connected between a power supply and the fan and adjusts a voltage or a current supplied to a fan motor to increase or decrease the fan speed. The fan regulator typically has a knob or a switch that allows a user to select a desired speed.

Usually, numbers indicative of the fan speed are marked around the periphery of the knob for the user to rotate the knob to select the desired speed. However, the font size of the numbers may be small thereby making the numbers less legible resulting in difficulty for the user to easily recognize the current fan speed.

Generally, the regulator knob has a smooth glossy surface that provides lesser grip to the operator operating the regulator knob. In some cases, the regulator knob may slip from the operator’s hands. Further, the glossy surface tends to reflect light thereby further reducing the legibility of the numbers.

One of the ways to mitigate this issue is to use large-sized knobs and a greater font size for the numbers. However, the use of large-size knobs increases both the material and manufacturing cost of the fan regulator.

Hence, in view of the above, there is a requirement for a knob that is user-friendly, easier to turn and increases the visibility of the number indicating the fan speed. Further, there is an immense need for a fan regulator assembly that can overcome the one or more problems associated with conventional fan regulators.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure discloses a rotary switch assembly for a fan regulator including a cover plate and a knob. The cover plate is adapted to have a plurality of indicia indicative of a plurality of fan speeds. The knob is rotatably positioned on the cover plate to assume a plurality of positions and adapted to cover the plurality of indicia. The knob further includes a face plate and a gripping portion having a toroid slope extending from a periphery of the face plate. The gripping portion includes a hole adapted to expose an indicium from the plurality of indicia corresponding to a current fan speed when the knob is rotated to assume a position from the plurality of positions. The present invention discloses the hole which is positioned in such a way that the hole makes the number that corresponds to the current fan speed visible, while the other numbers remain hidden under the knob. This helps in reducing confusion or mistakes when adjusting the fan speed.

To further clarify the 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 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become 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 front view of a knob of a fan regulator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the knob of the fan regulator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the fan regulator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, a plurality of 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

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 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. 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 invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of a plurality of features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of the plurality of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “plurality of features” or “plurality of elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “plurality of” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be plurality of...” or “plurality of elements 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 a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

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 of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining plurality of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, plurality of particular features and/or elements described in connection with plurality of embodiments may be found in one 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 plurality of features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any 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.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present disclosure, the term “rotary switch assembly” may interchangeably be used with the term “fan regulator assembly”.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a fan regulator assembly 100 having a knob 101, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The fan regulator assembly 100 may include the knob 101 and a cover plate 102. The knob 101 may have a face plate 101a and a gripping portion 101b. The gripping portion 101b may have a toroid slope extending from a periphery of the face plate 101a. The gripping portion 101b and the face plate 101a may be cast as an integrated part or may be detachably attached. The knob 101 may have a plurality of ribs 103 spread throughout a periphery of the knob 101. The plurality of ribs 103 may cover edges of the face plate 101a and the entire gripping portion 101b, provided for a better grip. Due to a presence of the plurality of ribs 103, the knob 101 may be easier to rotate with a single touch point or one finger of the user.

The knob 101 may have a reduced height as compared to conventional knobs. In one example, the height of the knob 101 may vary from 6 mm to 9 mm. The plurality of ribs 103 on the knob 101 may provide the users with a better grip over the knob 101. Such an arrangement results in better and more precise adjustments. The height of the knob 101 may further determine an effort applied by the user and a precision with which the knob 101 makes small and incremental adjustments with respect to a fan speed. Additionally, the height of the knob 101 may be reduced to make the knob 101 turn easily with just one finger. The knob 101 may be especially helpful for the users who have limited dexterity or strength in their hands.

The plurality of ribs 103 may provide support and a larger surface area for the finger of the user. When the user may be touching the knob 101 for changing the current speed of the fan, the finger of the user may touch the plurality of ribs 103 and an area surrounding the plurality of ribs 103 thereby providing a larger surface area for the user to function. While turning the knob 101, the user may exert a small force, and the plurality of ribs 103 may be pushed sideways to switch the current speed of the fan. The plurality of ribs 103 may prevent the finger of the user from slipping and provides the user with an experience of effortless rotation of the knob 101 to adjust the fan speed. In one example, the plurality of ribs 103 on the surface of the knob 101 may be designed to provide a non-slip surface that is easy to grip, even if the user’s hands are wet, greasy, or dirty.

Further, each of the plurality of ribs 103 may be positioned equidistant from each other except a portion where a hole 104 may be present. The plurality of ribs 103 of the knob 101 may vary depending on the design and materials used. The plurality of ribs 103 may be a series of small ridges, bumps or grooves, or a more complex pattern. In either case, the plurality of ribs 103 may create a surface that provides better grip to the user thereby allowing the user to turn the knob 101 easily and without slipping, even if their hands are greasy.

Further, the cover plate 102 may have a plurality of indicia 106 marked on an upper surface which indicates different fan speeds. The plurality of indicia 106 may include a plurality of numbers, a plurality of symbols, or a plurality of markers. Between the plurality of ribs 103 of the knob 101, there may be the hole 104 that shows a number from the plurality of numbers 106 present on the cover plate 102 indicating a current fan speed. The hole 104 may be strategically placed between the plurality of the ribs 103 and designed in such a way that the hole 104 may only expose an indicium that corresponds to a current fan speed setting while the other indicia remain hidden from view. Such a design prevents distraction to the user because the user would now look at a single number instead of all the numbers.

The hole 104 in the knob 101 may allow the user to adjust the fan speed quickly and accurately to a desired setting by providing a clear view of the number corresponding to the current fan speed. Additionally, the fact that the hole 104 only exposes the number corresponding to the current fan speed setting and not any other numbers may help to reduce confusion or mistakes when adjusting the fan speed.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the knob 101 of the fan regulator 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fan regulator 100 may have an outer body. The outer body may have an outer casing 201, the cover plate 102, and the knob 101. The outer casing 201 is connected to the cover plate 102 with the help of a plurality of interlocks 105.

In the case of the fan regulator 100, as described earlier, the knob 101 may have the plurality of ribs 103. The ribbed structure may specifically be designed to provide a comfortable and ergonomic grip while also improving visibility of the knob 101 and reducing the amount of force required to turn the knob 101. The plurality of ribs 103 may be evenly spaced and sized to provide tactile feedback to the user while also adding a visually appealing design element to the fan regulator 100.

Further, the gripping portion 101b of the knob 101 may be designed to rotate smoothly without causing any exertion to the user’s finger. The plurality of ribs 103 on the edges of the face plate 101a and the gripping portion 101b may provide additional tactile feedback to the user thereby aiding the user to feel more confident when turning the knob 101.

The cover plate 102 and the outer casing 201 may have the plurality of interlocks 105. The plurality of interlocks 105 may be protruding structures present at the edges of the cover plate 102 and the outer casing 201 in the fan regulator 100. The plurality of interlocks 105 may lock the cover plate 102 with the outer casing 201 of the fan regulator 100. When the cover plate 102 may be placed over the outer casing 201, the plurality of interlocks 105 may fit into corresponding slots or grooves in the outer casing 201. The plurality of interlocks 105 may create a secure and stable structure for the fan regulator 100 which prevents the cover plate 102 from coming off easily during use.

Furthermore, the plurality of interlocks 105 may ensure a safety and stability of the fan regulator 100. Without the plurality of interlocks 105, the cover plate 102 may become loose during use or accidentally fall off which may expose internal components of the fan regulator 100 and potentially cause a safety hazard or damage to the fan regulator 100. Therefore, the plurality of interlocks 105 may provide a secure and stable structure to the fan regulator 100 and help to maintain an overall integrity and functionality of the fan regulator 100.

In an embodiment, different materials and manufacturing processes may also be used to create a textured surface of the knob 101 depending on the specific requirements of the fan regulator 100. For example, an injection moulding or casting may be used to create complex patterns with high precision and consistency while rubber may be used to add a soft, tactile layer on top of a harder base material. The textured surface of the rubber may be both functional and aesthetically pleasing and aids in meeting the needs of the user. Therefore, the combination of the knob 101, the plurality of ribs 103, the hole 104, the cover plate 102, the plurality of interlocks 105, and the outer casing 201 in the present disclosure may result in a more user-friendly and intuitive fan regulator 100 that may be easy and comfortable to use, even in challenging conditions.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the fan regulator 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The fan regulator 100 may include an inner body 301, the cover plate 102, and the knob 101. The inner body 301 may include a shaft 302 and various electrical components, such as resistors and capacitors, that may be used to modulate a voltage supplied to the fan (not shown). The shaft 302 of the inner body 301 may be connected to the knob 101 and rotates when the user turns the knob 101. The face plate 101a of the knob 101 may be secured on the shaft 302 of the inner body 301. Further, the inner body 301 may be responsible for providing an electrical output to increase or decrease the fan speed based on an input provided by the user through the knob 101. Further, the inner body 301 may translate a rotational input received from the user into electrical signals that control the speed of the fan.

Whenever the knob 101 may be rotated by the user the shaft 302 also rotates thereby making the electrical components provided in the inner body 301 to produce the variable output voltage that may be supplied to the fan (not shown). The electrical components provided in the inner body 301 may be designed to provide different levels of resistance and capacitance which in turn affect the output voltage and thus the speed of the fan (not shown). The inner body 301 may also contain circuitry that protects the fan regulator 100 and the fan (not shown) from any voltage spikes and overloads. The design and construction of the inner body 301 ensures that the fan operates smoothly and efficiently without overheating or experiencing any other problems. The inner body 301 may be durable and reliable with high-quality electrical components that may be resistant to wear and tear.

The outer body as disclosed in the present disclosure may include three main components: the outer casing 201, the cover plate 102, and the knob 101. The outer casing 201 may be the main housing that surrounds the internal components of the fan regulator 100 thereby providing protection and support. The cover plate 102 may be a thin plate that covers the front of the fan regulator 100, hence protecting the inner body 301 from dust, debris, and accidental damage. The cover plate 102 may also include the numbers on the upper surface that indicate the current fan speed which may be visible through the hole 104 in the knob 101. Further, the knob 101 may be fitted in a slot 303 provided in the cover plate 102. The slot 303 may have grooves to accommodate and engage the knob 101 in a way that the knob 101 does not fall off. The outer body may provide a user-friendly interface for controlling the fan speed.

The plurality of ribs 103, the gripping portion 101b, and the face plate 101a of the knob 101 may provide a more comfortable experience for the user to adjust the fan speed. The outer casing 201 may be a protective layer that surrounds the internal components of the fan regulator 100, such as the knob 101, the cover plate 102, and the inner body 301. The outer casing 201 may be designed with the plurality of interlocks 105 that secure the cover plate 102 with the outer casing 201 thereby providing additional protection to the inner components.

The fan regulator assembly 100 of the present disclosure may be used for both step rotation or continuous rotation of the knob 101 while selecting the number by the user. In the step rotation, the knob 101 may be designed to rotate in fixed increments for each selection which allows the user to select the desired setting easily and precisely. The plurality of ribs 103 on the knob 101 may be designed to align with the corresponding numbers on the cover plate 102 in a stepwise manner, providing a clear and accurate indication of the selected setting.

In the continuous rotation, the knob 101 may be designed to rotate smoothly without any fixed increments which may be useful when the user needs to adjust the fan speed to a more precise level. The gripping portion 101b of the knob 101 allows the user to grip and rotate the knob 101 easily and smoothly. Further, the plurality of ribs 103 on the knob 101 may provide the tactile feedback to the user thereby allowing the user to easily determine the current setting of the fan regulator 100.

The present disclosure is not limited to the fan regulator 100 but may also be implemented in switches and dimmers. The same design principles and features that make the knob 101 may be easier to grip and rotate with tactile feedback may also be applied to other types of controls. The ribbed structure, reduced height, and one-touch point of the knob 101 may be beneficial in any situation where the users need to adjust the settings of the switch or the dimmer easily and accurately, including but not limited to, light switches, volume controls, or any other type of switch or dimmer where users need to make quick and precise adjustments. The hole 104 on the knob 101 may also be adapted to show relevant information for other types of controls. The present disclosure may have a potential to improve a usability and user experience of a wide range of controls beyond just the fan regulator 100.

Further, the knob 101 on the fan regulator 100 may have more or less numbers depending on the design and purpose of the fan regulator 100. For example, a fan regulator designed for industrial use may have the knob 101 with fewer numbers, whereas a fan regulator for home use may have the knob 101 with more numbers for more precise control over the fan speed. In some cases, the knob 101 may not have any numbers at all, and instead, the speed of the fan may be indicated by characters or symbols.

The use of characters or symbols may be especially useful in situations where it may be difficult or impractical to include the numbers on the knob 101. This approach also allows for more creative and customizable designs for the knob 101, as characters or symbols may be incorporated into the overall aesthetic of the fan regulator 100. The flexibility in the design of the knob 101 may allow for the fan regulator 100 to be adapted to a wide range of applications and situations.

The present disclosure may ensure a simple configuration of the fan regulator 100. The knob 101 of the fan regulator 100 disclosed in the present disclosure may be more user-friendly in a wider range of environments and conditions and may be easier to turn even with just one finger due to the reduced height and ribbed surface. The reduced height may be especially helpful if the user has dirty or greasy hands, as the user may still be able to rotate the knob 101 easily with just one finger. Further, by reducing the effort required to rotate the knob 101, the present disclosure aids in reducing the wear and tear of the fan regulator 100 over time thereby improving the overall lifespan of the fan regulator 100.

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 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 embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A rotary switch assembly (100) for a fan regulator comprising:
a cover plate (102) adapted to have a plurality of indicia (106) indicative of a plurality of fan speeds; and
a knob (101) rotatably positioned on the cover plate (102) to assume a plurality of positions and adapted to cover the plurality of indicia (106), the knob (101) includes a face plate (101a) and a gripping portion (101b) having a toroid slope extending from a periphery of the face plate (101a),
wherein
the gripping portion (101b) includes a hole (104) adapted to expose an indicium from the plurality of indicia (106) corresponding to a current fan speed when the knob (101) is rotated to assume a position from the plurality of positions.

2. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (101) includes a plurality of ribs (103) extends linearly from an edge of the face plate (101a) and covers the gripping portion (101b).

3. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hole (104) is positioned between the plurality of ribs (103).

4. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a height of the knob (101) is in a range from 6mm to 9mm.

5. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate (102) includes a plurality of interlocks (105) adapted to couple the cover plate (102) with an outer casing (201) of the rotary switch assembly (100).

6. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (101) rotates one of incrementally and continuously.

7. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a shaft (302) passing through an opening of the cover plate (102), wherein the knob (101) is rotatably mounted on the shaft (302) and detachably attached to the shaft (302).

8. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicia (106) includes one of a plurality of numbers, a plurality of symbols, and a plurality of markers, corresponding to the plurality of fan speeds.

9. The rotary switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (101) is positioned centrally on the cover plate (102).