DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a switch assembly. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a capacitive touch switch assembly for an automobile. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an illuminated switch assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Automobiles have witnessed and undergone a great deal of evolution right from the wee days of the first automobile ever manufactured. Aesthetical appeal and design of the automobile is continuously undergoing a profound evolvement right from the 17th century when first of a kind steam engine automobile were invented. With the discovery of oil and production of gasoline, a myriad of engines was developed right from the external combustion engines to internal combustion gasoline engines.
Currently, automobile manufacturers are competing with each other to develop vehicles which are frugal, peppy and most importantly which come under all the norms of the environmental laws. Modern vehicles are manufactured to maintain stringent noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. The automobiles or vehicles whose NVH values are lower than the average vehicle tend to transmit fewer noise and vibrations into the cabin of the vehicle. This constitutes a pleasant environment for passengers within the cabin of the vehicle.
Modern vehicles also include an array of creature comforts such as an air-conditioner, in-car entertainment system and the like. Additionally, one of the creature comforts that has come into the limelight from olden times up to the modern age is provision of ignition buttons in vehicles. Conventionally, older vehicles included a crank lever located outside the vehicle. The user used to step out of the vehicle, crank the engine via the crank lever and start the vehicle. Advancement in technology led to starting of the vehicle by turning the key of the vehicle, wherein the user of the vehicle had to twist the keys in the socket to start the vehicle. Nowadays, the vehicles are started by a push button start or capacitive touch start wherein the user has to just push a button or place his finger on the button in order to crank the engine and bring the vehicle to life.
These push buttons comprise of an array of light illumination provided which provides aesthetic appeal to the inside of the cabin. However, such illumination of the push buttons caused sharp or diffracted illuminating lights glaring the occupants. In other cases, these sharp dazzling lights causes a sense of irritation to the occupants within the cabin. Yet another problem existed in the leakage of these lights through the gaps in-between the buttons causing visibility issues and temporary blindness to the occupants.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate exploded views of a prior art switch assemblies (100’) wherein the area of illumination is smaller and the intensity of pair of light sources leak additional light, creating an irritant to the occupants of the cabin. Moreover, the prior art switch assemblies (100’) utilize pair of light sources [Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s)] for specific purposes. One light source was used for functional lighting and the other for illumination of a knob (10’). The knob (10’) illuminates as soon as the user enters the vehicle, but the functional light turns on when the user presses the start switch. However, the major drawback of this setup was that, both the light sources remained turned on causing high light intensity within the cabin.
In view of the foregoing discussion there is a need for developing a switch assembly to prevent leakage of light into the cabin of the vehicle by overcoming one or more limitations stated above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcoming of the prior arts and conventional systems are overcome by providing a translucent member of preferred configuration, within a groove of the switch assembly. This particular translucent member absorbs the light emitted from the plurality of light source and diffuses it to provide a soft lighting ambience to the occupants of the vehicle cabin.
In one non-limiting embodiment, a switch assembly for an automobile is disclosed. A housing member provisioned with a groove at a top surface of the housing member is provided. An electronic circuit plate is provisioned with a plurality of light sources wherein, the electronic circuit plate is mounted within the housing member abutting the groove. At least one translucent member is seated within the groove to absorb and diffuse light from the plurality of light sources.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one translucent member is provisioned with a plurality of cut-outs to seat over the plurality of light sources.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic circuit plate is connected to a printed circuit board.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic circuit plate is connected to the printed circuit board through an electrical connector.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the printed circuit board is electrically connected through a plurality of electrical terminals to a holder element.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing member comprises an internal cavity to house the electronic circuit plate, the printed circuit board and the holder element.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder element engages with a plurality of slots to lock within the housing member.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder element seats at a bottom side of the housing member.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure the switch assembly comprises a capacitive touch button within the groove at the top surface adopted for actuation of the switch assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the detailed disclosure. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates exploded view of the knob assembly according to the prior art.
Figure 2 illustrates sectional view of the knob assembly configured in the housing member according to the prior art.
Figure 3 illustrates exploded view of the switch assembly in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrated assembled view of the switch assembly in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 illustrates sectional view of the housing member and at least one translucent member in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 illustrates top view of the housing member in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7 illustrates sectional view of the switch assembly in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8 illustrates another sectional view of the switch assembly in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 9 illustrates yet another sectional view of the switch assembly in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 10 illustrates placement of the at least one translucent member over a plurality of light sources in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 11 illustrates perspective view of the at least one translucent member in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various configurations of circuits, holders, electrical terminals and method of assembling the switch assembly, which may vary from vehicle to vehicle. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly, mechanism that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiments of the disclosure illustrates a switch assembly equipped in a cabin of a vehicle. The switch assembly broadly comprises of a housing member provisioned with a groove. The groove is located at a top surface of the housing member. An electronic circuit plate is provisioned with a plurality of light sources wherein, the electronic circuit plate is mounted within the housing member abutting the groove. In order to provide an ambient lighting or softly lit cabin, at least one translucent member is seated within the groove of the housing member to absorb and diffuse light from the plurality of light sources. This prevents leakage of light from the plurality of light sources which directly strikes the occupants of the cabin of the vehicle.
Figure 3 illustrates exploded view of the switch assembly (100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The switch assembly (100) consists of a housing member (10) which has a groove (24) on top side (TS) of the housing member (10) and an internal cavity (26) as shown in figure 5. The housing member (10) within its internal cavity (26) accommodates an electronic circuit plate (14) wherein the electronic circuit plate (14) is connected to a printed circuit board (16). The electronic circuit plate (14) further provisioned with a plurality of light sources (30). The housing member (10) at its top side (TS) accommodates at least one translucent member (22) which is seated within the groove (24) of the housing member (10). In an embodiment, the electronic circuit plate (14) is accommodated within the internal cavity (26) such that, the plurality of light sources (30) provided on the electronic circuit plate (14) abutting the groove (24). In an embodiment, the at least one translucent member (22) is seated within the groove (24) such that, the at least one translucent member (22) seals any passage of light from the plurality of light sources (30).
In an embodiment, the printed circuit board (16) and the electronic circuit plate (14) are connected by an electrical connector (18). The electrical connector (18) is configured in-between the electronic circuit plate (14) and the printed circuit board (16). A plurality of electrical terminals (20) are socketed into a holder element (12) which provides electrical contact between the printed circuit board (16) and the holder element (12). The holder element (12) is configured with the plurality of electrical terminals (20) which forms an assembly and is inserted into a cavity (26) of the housing member (10) from a bottom side (BS). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder element (12) is snap fitted into the cavity (26) of the housing member (10). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cavity (26) is provided at the bottom side (BS) of the housing member (10). In an embodiment, the at least one translucent member (22) seated such that, there is no gap between the at least one translucent member (22) and the groove (24) forming an interference fit.
Figure 4 illustrates an assembled view of the switch assembly (100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder element (12) is configured into the cavity (26) of the housing member (10) to form the switch assembly (100). The housing member (10) is configured with a plurality of slots (28) on its circumference for the holder element (12) to snap fit within the housing member (10). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, moulding the at least one translucent member (22) within the groove (24) prevents leakage of light from gaps arising between the groove (24) and the at least one translucent member (22).
Figure 5 illustrates sectional view of the housing member (10) and the at least one translucent member (22) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The top side (TS) of the housing member (10) comprises the groove (24) formed on the circumference of the housing member (10). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the groove (24) is circular in shape to house the at least one translucent member (22). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the groove (24) can be of myriad of shapes such as, but not limiting to, square shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape and any other geometrical shape as per the requirement. In one embodiment, the groove (24) is circular in shape. The at least one translucent member (22) as disclosed above, is set within the circular groove (24) forming an interference fit between the groove (24) and the at least one translucent member (22).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one translucent member (22) seated in the grove (24) is moulded by using at least one of rotational moulding process, compression moulding process, casting moulding process and any other moulding process which serves the purpose.
Figure 6 illustrates top view of the housing member (10) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The top side (TS) of the housing member (10) depicts the placement of the at least one translucent member (22) moulded in the groove (24) of the housing member (10).
Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate sectional views of the switch assembly (100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder element (12) is configured with the plurality of electrical terminals (20) which socketed into the holder element (12). The plurality of electrical terminals (20) are in electrical contact with the printed circuit board (16). The printed circuit board (16) is in electrical contact with the electronic circuit plate (14) on which the plurality of light sources (30) i.e. [Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s)] are placed at predefined locations to provide illumination to the at least one translucent member (22). The holder element (12) is snap fitted within the cavity (26) of the housing member (10) is socketed into and electrical socket (not shown in figures) of a vehicle (not shown in figures). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, plurality of light sources ([Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s)]) (30) (herein referred to as light source) is soldered on the electronic circuit plate (14). The electronic circuit plate (14) provides electricity to the light sources (30) for illumination via the printed circuit board (16).
Figure 10 illustrates sectional view illustrating placement of the plurality of light sources (30) on the electronic circuit plate (14) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The plurality of light sources (30) are fixed to the electronic circuit plate (14) by soldering, welding, brazing and any other fixing means which serves the purpose. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of light sources (30) are placed circumferentially on the electronic circuit plate (14) at an angular range of about 120º from each other. This aids in uniform illumination of the at least one translucent member (22). In one embodiment, each of the plurality of light sources (30) are placed at an equal distance from each other. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of light sources (30) are placed at unequal distances from each other.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of light sources (30) emits multi coloured lights based on the state of the engine of the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of light sources (30) changes colour when the vehicle is in ON condition and when the vehicle is in OFF condition to alert the user of the current condition of the engine.
Figure 11 illustrates perspective view of the at least one translucent member (22) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one translucent member (22) is configured with plurality of cut-outs (32) provided circumferentially so as to form a canopy over the plurality of light sources (30) fixed on the electronic circuit plate (14). The plurality of cut-outs (32) are formed according to the placement of the plurality of light sources (30) on the electronic circuit plate (14). The plurality of cut-outs (32) aids in covering the plurality of light sources (30) thereby preventing leakage of light. In an embodiment, number of cut-outs (32) in the translucent member (22) may match with number of light source on the electronic circuit plate (14).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one translucent member (22) is configured with the plurality of cut-outs (32) at a bottom portion of the at least one translucent member (22).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of cut-outs (32) may be formed throughout the bottom portion of the at least one translucent member (22).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one translucent member (22) is manufactured to absorb and diffuse the light emitting from the plurality of light sources (30). The at least one translucent member (22) upon absorption of the light induces a soft uniform glow of the at least one translucent member (22).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one translucent member (22) is manufactured from partially opaque materials such as plastics, rubber, smoked glass, optical fibres or any other partially opaque materials that serves the purpose.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of light sources (30) is at least one of Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s), candescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs or any other light sources which serves the purpose.
EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

,CLAIMS:
WE CLAIM:
1. A switch assembly (100) for an automobile comprising:
a housing member (10) provisioned with a groove (24) at a top surface (TS) of the housing member (10);
an electronic circuit plate (14) is mounted within the housing member (10) abutting the groove (24) and is provisioned with a plurality of light sources; and
at least one translucent member (22), wherein the at least one translucent member (22) is seated within the groove (24) to absorb and diffuse light from the plurality of light sources (30).

2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one translucent member (22) is provisioned with a plurality of cut-outs (32) to seat over the plurality of light sources (30).

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit plate (14) is connected to a printed circuit board (16).

4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit plate (14) is connected to the printed circuit board (16) through an electrical connector (18).

5. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board (16) is electrically connected through a plurality of electrical terminals (20) to a holder element (12).

6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing member (10) comprises a cavity (26) to house the electronic circuit plate (14), the printed circuit board (16) and the holder element (12).

7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder element (12) engages with a plurality of slots (28) to lock within the housing member (10).

8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder element (12) seats at a bottom side (BS) of the housing member (10).

9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a capacitive touch button (CB) within the groove (24) at the top surface (TS) adopted for actuation of the switch assembly (100).

10. A switch assembly (100) as disclosed in the aforementioned specification and accompanying drawings.