Claims:We Claim:
1. A rocker switch (10) comprising at least:
- a switch housing (12) adapted to house plurality of switch components;
- an actuating means (14) fitted to one end of a first knob 16;
- a first knob (16) in contact with said actuating means (14) and said switch housing (12);
- a second knob (18) fitted on said first knob (16) adapted for interaction by a user;
characterized in that
- a bellow (20) fitted externally to said switch housing (12) and abutting said first knob (16) and said second knob (18); and
- a holder (22) fitted internally to said switch housing (12).

2. The rocker switch (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bellow (20) fitted externally to said switch housing (12) and abutting said first knob (16) and said second knob (18) in a manner such that , one part of said bellow (20) fitted to said switch housing (12), another part of said bellow (20) fitted to said first knob (16) and said second knob (18).
3. The rocker switch (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder (22) fitted internally to said switch housing (12) in a manner such that an O-ring (24) abutting said actuating means (14) and said switch housing (12) is held in position.
, Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This disclosure relates to a rocker switch

Background of the invention
[0002] Environmentally Sealed Switches, e.g. toggle, pushbutton or rocker Switches, are utilized in applications where environmental conditions can affect the performance or reliability of the Switches. For example, Switches used in mining vehicles or other off-road vehicles must be sealed against such foreign materials as mud, oil and water. Also recreational aquatic vehicles Such as boats or jet skis require reliable waterproof switches.

[0003] A variety of sealing mechanisms are known in the state or the art to protect the switches. For example, in the case of rocker Switches, prior art external boots have been used to cover the outer surface of the rocker assembly and seal against the switch housing. In another example, prior art “O'” rings have been used to provide a seal between the rocker post and the actuator. Though the “O'” rings provide an environmentally sound static seal, the “O'” ring has a tendency to lift off of the surface of the actuator after the rocker assembly is pivoted from cyclically one position to another, thus breaking the seal.

[0004] US6444930 discloses an environmentally sealed switch comprising a switch housing and a stationary contact mounted within the switch housing. A moveable contact is mounted within the switch housing. The moveable contact has a first position electrically making with stationary contact and second position electrically breaking with the stationary contact. An actuator is moveably mounted within the switch housing for actuating the moveable contact between the first and the second positions. An internal portion of the actuator has an external neck extending through an actuator opening defined by the switch housing. A membranous boot seal surrounds the neck of the internal actuator portion. The boot seal has a first and a second opening. The first opening includes a first border engaged against a periphery of the neck and the second opening includes a second border that is retained in the switch housing and surrounds the next of the internal actuator portion.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0005] Different mode of the invention is disclosed in detail in the description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings:
[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a rocker switch in accordance with this disclosure.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a rocker switch in accordance with this disclosure. The rocker switch 10 comprises at least: a switch housing 12 adapted to house plurality of switch components, an actuating means 14 fitted to one end of the first Knob 16, first knob 16 in contact with the actuating means 14 and the switch housing 12, a second knob 18 fitted on the first knob 16 adapted for interaction by a user. The rocker switch 10 is characterized such as to comprise a bellow 20 fitted externally to the switch housing 12 and abutting the first knob 16 and the second knob 18 and a holder 22 fitted internally to the switch housing 12.

[0014] The construction of the rocker switch 10 can be further explained as follows. The bellow 20 fitted externally between the switch housing 12 and abuts the first knob 16 and the second knob 18 in a manner such that, one part of the bellow 20 fitted to the switch housing 12 and another part of the bellow 20 is fitted to the first knob 16 and the second knob 18. The holder 22 is fitted internally between the switch housing 12 in a manner such that an O-ring 24 abutting the actuating means 14 and the switch housing 12, is held in position.

[0015] The function of the bellow 20 and the O-ring 24 of the rocker switched would be better understood with a use case. For the use case, we consider an off highway application where the rocker switch in accordance with this disclosure is used. One such off high application is a tractor. Tractors are commonly used in agricultural operations where different types of implements may be mounted on a tractor and the implements would be used to plough the field, in some cases sow seeds, harvest crop. Depending on the type of crop the condition of the field would vary. For example if the crop to be sown is one which requires less water the field would be dry, if the crop of be sown is one which requires a lot of water the field would be filled with water. In either case there would be large amount of dust, muck, sludge, water in which the tractors needs to operate. A rocker switch would be used on the tractor at various locations and would be in contact with the dust, muck, sludge, water etc. In case the rocker switch is not appropriately protected it can lead to the dust, water and the like, entering the rocker switch contacting the working parts of the rocket switch and would render the switch unusable. If the rocker switch is unusable it is possible that the basic tractor functions would not work thus rendering the tractor unusable.

[0016] For this reason the rocker switch 10 in accordance with disclosure is one which provides a sealing in such a way that no dust or water or the like can enter the internal parts of the rocker switch. The bellow 20 and O-ring 24 provide a double protection layer to ensure that no dust and water can enter the internal parts of the rocker switch. The bellow 20 is fitted externally to the switch housing 12. One part of the bellow 20 is fitted to a part of the switch housing 12. Another part of the bellow 20 extends from the switch housing 12 towards the first knob 16 and the second knob 18. This part of the bellow 20 which extends from the switch housing, is sandwiched between the first knob 16 and the second knob 18. This ensures better sealing from the external part of the rocker switch 12. The bellow shape ensures that there is enough room for the movement of the first knob 16 and the second knob 18. Thus even if rocker switch 12 is pressed multiple times the shape of the bellow 20 ensures that there is no damage to the bellow 20 and it does not come of like the seal mentioned in the state of the art.

[0017] Further the holder 22 is fitted internally to the switch housing 12. When the actuating means 14 is assembled in the switch housing 12, an O-ring is fitted onto the part of the actuating means 14 which is abutting the switch housing. The holder 22is fitted along the internal surface of the switch housing 12 in a manner such that it hold the O-ring in its position. Thus in case water etc enters the from the part external to the switch housing the, the holder 22 holds the O-ring tightly in position and no water is allowed to enter to the internal side of the switch housing.

[0018] In this way using the rocker switch 10 in accordance with disclosures ensures that double protection is provided against the ingress of dust and water. There using the rocker switch 10 in an off highway vehicle like a tractor and the like would yield good robustness.

[0019] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims