DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to electrical switches and more particularly, relates to a switch assembly with a visual indicator indicating an operating status of the switch assembly.

BACKGROUND

Commonly, electrical switches are employed for operating a wide range of appliances by controlling a flow of current to such appliances. In particular, the electrical switches are employed in electrical circuits to divert or interrupt the flow of current flowing towards the appliances, thereby switching-ON or switching-OFF such appliances. Nowadays, the electrical switches are provided with flat operating surfaces which can be operated to switch-ON or switch-OFF such electrical switches.

In such electrical switches, the flat operating surface can be resiliently pushed against a spring force to either switch-ON or switch-OFF the electrical switch. The spring force ensures that the flat operating surface retains its original position in absence of an operating force on such flat operating surface. Therefore, the flat operating surface fails to provide any visual indication of an operating status, such as switch-ON and switch-OFF, of the electronic device. Recently, a few electrical switches are provided with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator to indicate the operating status of the electrical switch.

However, such an LED indicator fails to provide any indication regarding the operating status in absence of a power supply. For instance, if the flat operating surface is operated to switch-ON the electrical switch, the LED indicator can only indicate the switch-ON status of the electrical switch in presence of the power supply. However, during a power outage, the LED indicator fails to indicate the switch-ON status of the electrical switch. This increases the overall cognitive load on a user to remember the operating status of the electrical switch in absence of the power supply. For instance, if the user forgets to switch-OFF the electrical switch, then upon recommence of the power supply, the electrical switch remains in a switch-ON state. This leads to the undesired operation of an electronic device connected to the electrical switch and higher power consumption by such an electronic device which is not desirable by the user. Also, this might lead to the failure of the electronic device due to prolong power supply from the electrical switch.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved switch assembly with a mechanism to indicate the operating status of such switch assembly in absence of any power supply.

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.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly comprises a housing member and at least one rocker. The at least one rocker is adapted to be pivotally moved and disposed in the housing member. The switch assembly comprises an operating assembly disposed on the rocker and adapted to pivotally move the rocker. The operating assembly comprises a plurality of panels arranged adjacent to each other and adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the rocker. The switch assembly comprises a lens positioned above the at least one rocker and disposed between the plurality of panels. The at least one rocker comprises a projection having a visual indicator adapted to be aligned with the lens when the at least one rocker is pivotally moved, to indicate an operating status of the switch assembly.

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 perspective view of a switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a rocker of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4a illustrates a perspective view of a lens of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4b illustrates a top view of the lens of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate isometric views of the lens and one of a plurality of panels of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates a partial sectional view of a portion A of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 8a and 8b illustrate top views of the switch assembly depicting an operating status of the switch assembly, 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. 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 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 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 this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” 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 one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. 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 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 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.”

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 . . . ” 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 ordinary skills 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 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 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 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 embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all 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 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 be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

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

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the switch assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The switch assembly 100 may be employed in houses and similar premises for operating various electronic devices, such as household appliances. For instance, the switch assembly 100 may be employed to switch-ON or switch-OFF an operation of an electrical appliance. The switch assembly 100 may be adapted to be mounted on an installation surface, such as a wall, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may be provided with a plurality of operating panels adapted to actuate a rocker of the switch assembly 100. Each of the plurality of operating panels may be adapted to be pushed in a downward direction with respect to the installation surface. Owing to such movement of the operating panel, the rocker may be actuated to operate the switch assembly in one of an OFF-condition and an ON-condition. Each of the operating panels may always remain in a parallel direction with respect to the installation surface, such as the wall, irrespective of the movement of such operating panel to actuate the rocker.

Constructional and operational details of the switch assembly 100 are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a housing member 202, at least one rocker 204, a lens 205, an operating assembly 206, a pusher 208, and an electrical contact assembly 210. In an embodiment, the housing member 202 may be adapted to accommodate various components, such as the at least one rocker 204, the pusher 208, and the electrical contact assembly 210, of the switch assembly 100.

In an embodiment, the at least one rocker 204 may interchangeably be referred to as the rocker 204, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The rocker 204 may be adapted to be pivotally moved and disposed in the housing member 202. In an example, the rocker 204 may be pivotally hinged to the housing member 202 through a hinge and adapted to be pivotally moved about the hinge. Referring to Figure 2, the rocker 204 may include engagement portions 232, and the housing member 202 may include engaged portions 233. Each of the engagement portion 232 may have a projecting element, and each of the engaged portions 233 may be embodied as a hole into which one of the projecting elements is inserted and locked. The rocker 204 may be pivotally moved by engaging the engagement portions 232 and the engaged portions 233.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a rocker of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3, the rocker 204 may include, but is not limited to, a first pair of legs 204-1 and a second pair of legs 204-2 distal to the first pair of legs 204-1. The first pair of legs 204-1 may be spaced apart from each other to define a gap G1 and similarly, the second pair of legs 204-2 may be spaced apart from each other to define a gap G2. The gap G1 may be substantially equal to the gap G2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the rocker 204 may include, but is not limited to, a cavity (not shown) adapted to accommodate the pusher 208. The pusher 208 may be disposed in the cavity along with a spring 212 adapted to allow resilient movement of the pusher 208. The pusher 208 may be adapted to be in contact with the electrical contact assembly 210 of the switch assembly 100. The rocker 204 may be adapted to be pivotally moved between a first position and a second position. The switch assembly 100 may toggle the electrical contact. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may be operated to an ON-condition, also referred to as ON-state, when the rocker 204 is moved to the first position. Further, the switch assembly 100 may be operated to an OFF-condition, also referred to as OFF-state, when the rocker 204 is moved to the second position.

Referring to Figure 3, the rocker 204 may include, but is not limited to, a projection 302 having a visual indicator 304 adapted to be aligned with the lens 205. In particular, the visual indicator 304 may be adapted to align with the lens 205, when the rocker 204 is pivotally moved, to indicate an operating status of the switch assembly 100. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 304 may be a mechanical indicator formed on a surface of the projection 302 of the rocker 204 via a pad printing process. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 304 may comprise a coloured surface that is visible through the lens 205 of the switch assembly 100 based on a movement of the rocker 204. Constructional details of the lens 205 are explained in detail with respect to the description of Figures 4a and 4b of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 302 may be formed at an intermediate portion 204-3 of the rocker 204 and extends along a pivotal axis P-P’ of the rocker 204. Further, the projection may be protruded in a direction parallel to a central axis R-R’ of the rocker 204. As explained earlier, the rocker 204 may be adapted to be pivotally moved between the first position corresponding to the ON-state of the switch assembly 100 and the second position corresponding to the OFF-state of the switch assembly 100. In the first position of the rocker 204, the visual indicator 304 may be visible through the lens 205 to indicate the ON-state of the switch assembly 100. In the second position of the rocker 204, the visual indicator 304 may not be visible through the lens 205 to indicate the OFF-state of the switch assembly 100.

Figure 4a illustrates a perspective view of the lens 205 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4b illustrates a top view of the lens 205 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lens 205 may be positioned above the rocker 204 and vertically aligns with the intermediate portion 204-3 of the rocker 204. Referring to Figure 4a and Figure 4b, in the illustrated embodiment, the lens 205 may include, but is not limited to, a transparent portion 402 and an engaging portion 404.

In an embodiment, the transparent portion 402 may be formed orthogonally with respect to the engaging portion 404. The transparent portion 402 may have a length ‘L1’ substantially equal to a length ‘L2’ of the projection 302 of the rocker 204. The transparent portion 402 may be adapted to align with the projection 302 of the rocker 204 to provide a visual indication of the operating status of the switch assembly 100. In an embodiment, the transparent portion 402 may have a cuboidal shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The transparent portion 402 may comprise a projected part having a thickness ‘T1’, ‘T2’ and a width ‘W’. In an embodiment, the thickness T2 may be greater than the thickness T1. The projected part may include a top surface 402-1, a bottom surface 402-2, and a pair of side surfaces 402-3. Owing to the thickness T2, a portion of the lens 205 may be positioned in close proximity to indicator 304 and therefore, the visual indicator 304 is light-up more brightly with the light from an ambient environment. The lens 205 may be adapted to be positioned in a manner that the bottom surface 402-2 faces the visual indicator 304 formed on the rocker 204. Owing to such structure of the transparent portion 402, the visual indicator 304 positioned below the transparent portion 402 can be optimally visualized by a user.

Further, the engaging portion 404 of the lens 205 may be adapted to be engaged with the operating assembly 206 of the switch assembly 100. In an embodiment, each of the transparent portion 402 and the engaging portion 404 may be formed of a transparent material, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact assembly 210 may include, but is not limited to, a movable contact element 214, a first electrical contact 216, and a second electrical contact 218. The movable contact element 214 may be adapted to be pushed by the pusher 208 coupled to the rocker 204. In particular, the pusher 208 may be adapted to push the movable contact element 214 of the electrical contact assembly 210 to operate the switch assembly 100 between the ON-state and the OFF-state.

In an embodiment, upon the movement of the rocker 204, the pusher 208 may slide on the movable contact element 214 and simultaneously, push the movable contact element 214 in a downward direction. In one instance, when the rocker 204 is moved to the first position, the pusher 208 may slide on the movable contact element 214 to form a contact between the first electrical terminal 216 and the movable contact element 214. In another instance, when the rocker 204 is moved to the second position, the pusher 208 may slide on the movable contact element 214 to form a contact between the second electrical terminal 218 and the movable contact element 214.

Referring to Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the operating assembly 206 may be disposed on the rocker 204. The operating assembly 206 may be adapted to pivotally move the rocker 204. The operating assembly 206 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of panels 220 arranged adjacent to each other. The plurality of panels 220 may be adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the rocker 204. In an embodiment, the plurality of panels 220 may include a first panel 220-1 and a second panel 220-2 positioned adjacent to the first panel 220-1. The first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 may be arranged adjacent to each other and aligned in a same plane with respect to each other.

The first panel 220-1 may be adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the rocker 204 from the first position to the second position. Further, the second panel 220-2 may be adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the rocker 204 from the second position to the first position. Each of the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 may be adapted to be resiliently pushed in a downward direction with a central axis C-C’ of the housing member 202 of the switch assembly 100. Owing to such movement of the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2, the rocker 204 may be pivotally moved to operate the switch assembly 100 in the ON-state and the OFF-state.

Each of the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 may be adapted to be removably fastened to the housing member 202 through snap locks. Referring to Figure 2, the first panel 220-1 may include a first engagement part 230-1, and the second panel 220-2 may include a second engagement part 230-2. The housing member 202 may include a first engaged part 231-1 and a second engaged part 231-2. The engaged part 233 may be arranged between the first engaged part 231-1 and the second engaged part 231-2, in a front view of the switch assembly 100. The first engaged part 231-1 may be a first projecting part, and the first engagement part 230-1 may be a first hole part into which the first projecting part is inserted and locked. The second engaged part 231-2 may be a second projecting part, and the second engagement part 230-1 may be a second hole part into which the second projecting part is inserted and locked. The first panel 220-1 may be adapted to be pivotally moved by engaging the first engagement part 230-1 and the first engaged part 231-1. The second panel 220-2 may be adapted to be pivotally moved by engaging the second engagement part 230-2 and the second engaged part 231-2. The first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 may move independently of each other. Constructional and operational details of the operating assembly 206 are explained with respect to only one panel, i.e., the second panel 220-2. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure is equally applicable to other panels, i.e., the first panel 220-1, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate isometric views of the lens 205 and the second panel 220-2 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 5a and Figure 5b, the second panel 220-2 may include an upper surface 502 and a lower surface 504. The upper surface 502 may have a flat contour substantially parallel to the installation surface of the switch assembly 100. The lower surface 504 of the second panel 220-2 may include a supporting portion 310 adapted to be engaged with a spring 224 (as shown in Figure 2) to allow resilient movement of the first panel 220-1. Similarly, the lower surface 504 of the first panel 220-1 may include a supporting portion 506 adapted to be engaged with a spring 222 to allow resilient movement of the first panel 220-1. As mentioned earlier, each of the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 may be adapted to be resiliently pushed in the downward direction along the central axis C-C’ of the housing member 202. Each of the springs 222, 224 may be, but is not limited to, a coil spring or a plate spring. Each of the springs 222, 224 may be replaced with an elastic member having elasticity.

In an embodiment, the lens 205 may be adapted to be disposed between the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 of the switch assembly 100. The lens 205 may be adapted to be removably coupled to one of the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens 205 may be coupled to the second panel 220-2 of the switch assembly 100. Although, in the present embodiment, the lens 205 and the second panel 220-2 may be coupled with each other. It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the lens 205 can also be coupled to the first panel 220-1 of the switch assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 5a, in the illustrated embodiment, the second panel 220-2 may include, but is not limited to, a slot 508 and a cutout section 510 formed at an edge 512 of the second panel 220-2. The slot 508 may be adapted to receive the engaging portion 404 of the lens 205. Further, the cutout section 510 may be adapted to accommodate the transparent portion 402 of the lens 205. Referring to Figure 5b, the lens 205 may be coupled to the second panel 220-2 in a manner that the transparent portion 402 of the lens 205 is positioned in the cutout section 510 and the engaging portion 404 of the lens 205 is positioned in the slot 508 of the second panel 220-2.

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 illustrates a partial sectional view of a portion A of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7, the transparent portion 402 of the lens 205 may be accommodated in the cutout section 510 in a manner that the transparent portion 402 is visibly positioned between the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 of the switch assembly 100. As explained earlier, the rocker 204 may be positioned below the lens 205 in a manner that the protrusion 302 of the rocker 204 is inclined with respect to the lens 205. In particular, the visual indicator 304 formed on the protrusion 302 may be inclined with respect to the transparent portion 402 of the lens 205. The protrusion 302 of the rocker 204 may vertically align with the transparent portion 402 of the lens 205 when the rocker 204 is moved to the first position.

Figures 8a and 8b illustrate top views of the switch assembly 100 depicting the operating status of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. During an operation of the switch assembly 100, one of the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2 may be pushed to pivotally move the rocker 204 between the first position and the second position to operate the switch assembly in one of the ON-state and the OFF-state. Referring to Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 8a, in the OFF-state, the rocker 204 may be in the second position and in contact with the second panel 220-2 of the switch assembly 100. In the second position of the rocker 204, the visual indicator 304 formed on the projection 302 moves to a position below one of the first panel 220-1 and away from the transparent portion 402. In the second position of the rocker 204, the visual indicator 304 may be concealed from the transparent portion 402 to indicate the OFF-state of the switch assembly 100.

Subsequently, the second panel 220-2 may be pushed in the downward direction along the central axis C-C’ to pivotally move the rocker 204 to the first position by applying a force on the upper surface 502 of the second panel 220-2. Owing to such movement of the rocker 204, the pusher 208 may slide on the movable contact element 214 and simultaneously, push the movable contact element 214 to form an electrical contact between the movable contact element 214 and the first electrical terminal 216 with a riveted pillar. This results in the operation of the switch assembly 100 in the ON-state. Upon releasing the force from the second panel 220-2, the spring 224 may push the second panel 220-2 in an upward direction, to its original position, along the central axis C-C’.

Referring to Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 8b, in the first position of the rocker 204, the visual indicator 304 may move to a position below the transparent portion 402 of the lens 205. The visual indicator 304 may be visible through the lens 205 to indicate the ON-state of the switch assembly 100. In the ON-state, the rocker 204 may be in contact with the first panel 220-1 of the switch assembly 100. The first panel 220-1 may be pushed in the downward direction along the central axis C-C’ to pivotally move the rocker 204 to the second position by applying a force on the upper surface 502 of the first panel 220-1. Owing to such movement of the rocker 204, the pusher 208 may slide on the movable contact element 214 and simultaneously, push the movable contact element 214 away from the first electrical terminal 216 with the riveted pillar. This results in the operation of the switch assembly 100 in the OFF-state. Upon releasing the force from the first panel 220-1, the spring 222 may push the first panel 220-1 in an upward direction, to its original position, along the central axis C-C’.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the switch assembly 100 having the visual indicator 304 to indicate the operating status of the switch assembly 100. As explained earlier, the switch assembly 100 may include the lens 205 positioned between the first panel 220-1 and the second panel 220-2. Further, the switch assembly 100 may include the rocker 204 having the visual indicator 304 adapted to indicate the operating status, such as ON-state and OFF-state, of the switch assembly 100 based on the pivotal movement of the rocker 204. For instance, in ON-state, the rocker 204 is at the first position and the visual indicator 304 is visible to a user through the lens 205 to indicate the ON-state of the switch assembly. As mentioned earlier, the visual indicator 304 is embodied as the mechanical indicator. Therefore, even in absence of a power supply, the visual indicator 304 can indicate the operating status of the switch assembly. This substantially reduces the overall cognitive load of the user to remember the operating status of the electronic switch during a power outage. Therefore, the switch assembly 100 of the present disclosure is operationally effective, flexible in implementation, cost-effective, compact, and convenient.

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 switch assembly (100) comprising:
a housing member (202);
at least one rocker (204) adapted to be pivotally moved and disposed in the housing member (202);
an operating assembly (206) disposed on the at least one rocker (204) and adapted to pivotally move the at least one rocker (204), the operating assembly (206) comprising a plurality of panels (220) arranged adjacent to each other and adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the at least one rocker (204); and
a lens (205) positioned above the at least one rocker (204) and mounted between the plurality of panels (220),
wherein the at least one rocker (204) comprises at least one projection (302) having a visual indicator (304) adapted to be aligned with the lens (205), when the at least one rocker (204) is pivotally moved, to indicate an operating status of the switch assembly (100).

2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels (220) comprises:
a first panel (220-1) adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the at least one rocker (204) from a first position to a second position,
a second panel (220-2) adapted to be resiliently pushed to pivotally move the at least one rocker (204) from the second position to the first position.

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first panel (220-1) and the second panel (220-2) are arranged adjacent to each other and aligned in a same plane with respect to each other.

4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 2 and 3, wherein the lens (205) comprises a transparent portion (402) and an engaging portion (404) adapted to be engaged with one of the plurality of panels (220).

5. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
the transparent portion (402) of the lens (205) comprises a projected part having thickness ‘T1’, ‘T2’ and a width ‘W’, the thickness T2 of the projected part enables a portion of the lens 205 to be positioned in close proximity to indicator 304 to light-up the visual indicator 304 with light from an ambient environment,
the projected portion comprises a top surface (402-1), a bottom surface (402-2), and a pair of side surfaces (402-3),
wherein the lens (205) is adapted to be positioned in a manner that the bottom surface (402-2) faces the visual indicator (304) formed on the rocker (204).

6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any of claims 4 or 5, wherein one of the first panel (220-1) and the second panel (220-2) comprises a slot (508) adapted to receive the engaging portion (404) of the lens (205) and a cutout section (510) to accommodate the transparent portion (402).

7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transparent portion (402) is accommodated in the cutout section (510) in a manner that the transparent portion (402) is visibly positioned between the first panel (220-1) and the second panel (220-2).

8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual indicator (304) is a mechanical indicator formed on a surface of the projection (302) of the at least one rocker (204) via a pad printing process.

9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the visual indicator (304) is inclined with respect to the transparent portion (402) of the lens (205).

10. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein:
in the first position of the at least one rocker (204), the visual indicator (304) moves to a position below the transparent portion (402) of the lens (205), wherein the visual indicator (304) is visible through the lens (205) to indicate ON-state of the switch assembly (100), and
in the second position of the at least one rocker (204), the visual indicator (304) moves to a position below one of the plurality of panels (220) and away from the transparent portion (402), wherein the visual indicator (304) is concealed from the transparent portion (402) to indicate OFF-state of the switch assembly (100).

11. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pusher (208) coupled to the at least one rocker (204) and adapted to push a movable contact element (214) of the switch assembly (100) to operate the switch assembly (100),
wherein at least one rocker (204) is adapted to be pivotally moved between a first position and a second position, wherein:
in the first position, the pusher (208) pushes the movable contact element (214) to form a contact with a first electrical terminal (216) disposed in the housing member (202), and
in the second position, the pusher (208) pushes the movable contact element (214) to form a contact with a second electrical (218) terminal disposed in the housing member (202).