The present disclosure relates to electrical switches and in particular, relates to a switch
assembly for operating a sunroof in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
10 In the beginning of the creation of the first steam-powered moto vehicles capable of
human transportation, the motor vehicles did not had roofs. Then as the technology and era
progressed, the need was felt to cover the roof, with folding canvas tops, some with clear side
curtains. Later on, motor vehicle manufacturers offer fully enclosed factory bodywork. Before
long, the users started feeling the requirement for something in-between a hard-top roof and an
15 open roof.
Automobile designers answered the call with canvas or metal-covered roof openings.
Some automobile designers even offered a sliding roof panel with glass windows on it. Today,
sunroofs, moonroofs, panoramic roofs, T-tops, or targa tops are widely available on most new
vehicles, each offering something in between a fixed roof and a full convertible.
20 Generally speaking, a sunroof is any kind of panel on the roof of a car that permits light,
air or both to come into a vehicle. A window on the roof, as it were. The sunroof is often
controlled manually and then the technology introduced electrically operated sunroof. The users
preferred electrically operated sunroof with functionalities of opening, closing or even a tilt
function. Thereafter, the automobile manufacturers felt the requirement to improve the electrical
25 switches operating the sunroof. The electrical switches presented multiple components arranged
in a complex unit for operating the sunroof. The user operates the switch assembly which
includes electrical circuitry and mechanical parts to open, close or tilt the sunroof. These three
functions are generally carried out by a single switch that has four positions, including a rest
position.
30 For example, if the user pushes the switch to one position, the forward position, the
sunroof will close. If the user pushes the switch to a second, rearward position, the sunroof will
open. Lastly, if the switch were pressed in, perpendicular to the height of the vehicle, the sunroof
would tilt.
3
The switch assembly plays a crucial role in providing a user-friendly configuration for
seamless operation of the sunroof. It is desired that the switch assembly not only provides its
intended purpose but also maintains the aesthetics of the motor vehicle. In the known
technology, the switch assembly, with prolonged use start developing rattle sound. Additionally,
5 it is desired to develop an optimized switch assembly compatible for various types of motor
vehicles. The automobile designers with the slightest modifications in the switch assembly
should be able to assemble the switch in motor vehicles.
Therefore, there is a need for solution to overcome the abovementioned deficiencies.
10
SUMMARY
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch assembly for operating a sunroof in a
vehicle, the switch assembly including a housing, an actuation knob which is pivotally mounted
15 on a cavity. The actuation knob having at least one projected hook adapted to be received in the
cavity. A holder is arranged in the housing and adapted to be coupled with the at least one
projected hook. The holder has an integrally formed plunger element extending from a lower
surface of the holder. A slider with two lateral ends, having a hinge pin formed on an upper
portion to couple with the plunger element. The hinge pin perform movement in alignment with
20 the two lateral ends. A contact is coupled to a lower end portion of the slider and extends
downward from one of the two lateral ends. A connector case is disposed below the slider and
adapted to support the slider. A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is disposed in the connector case,
wherein the PCB provide electrical signals in response to the contact connecting on an upper
surface of the PCB.
25 In an aspect of the invention, the movement of the actuation knob in longitudinal direction
causes the plunger element to apply force on the hinge pin to slide in direction of the two lateral
ends of the slider allowing the contact to open or close circuit on the PCB providing electrical
signals to a microcontroller.
In another aspect of the invention, the PCB provide electrical signal to the microcontroller
30 for opening or closing the sunroof of the vehicle.
In an aspect of the invention, the cavity is disposed over a top surface of the housing.
4
In another aspect of the invention, a spring element is disposed at the two lateral ends of
the slider. The spring element forms connection between the slider and the holder acting as
reaction force on the coupling of the plunger element and the hinge pin.
In an aspect of the invention, the slider has a slide-pin disposed on the lower end portion
5 opposite to the contact, wherein a spring is inserted into the slide-pin.
In another aspect of the invention, the connector case is having a hollowed inner space and
an upper surface, to mount the slider.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a polarity terminal is arranged on the upper surface
of the PCB and extending downward towards a lower surface of the connector case.
10 In a preferred aspect of the invention, the PCB having the upper surface with a plurality of
tact switches to be pushed by a tilt plate are arranged. A lower part of the hinge pin extends
downwards to connect the tilt plate for pushing the tact switches.
In another preferred aspect of the invention, the movement of the actuation knob in
transverse direction causes the plunger element to apply force on the hinge pin to push the tilt
15 plate. The tilt plate presses the tact switches resulting in the PCB providing electrical signals to
the microcontroller.
In yet another preferred aspect of the invention, the PCB provide electrical signal to the
microcontroller for tilting the sunroof of the vehicle.
20 To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only
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
25 accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
30 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:
5
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
5 Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly depicting various components
of the switch assembly, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly depicting additional
components, according to the alternate embodiment of the present disclosure;
10
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
15 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.
20
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
25 used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
30 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.
6
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
5 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
10 relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be
restrictive thereof.
15
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar
language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language
20 throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover
a nonexclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
25 process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional
structures or additional components.
30
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
7
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the
5 embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be
implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The
present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and
techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and
described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their
10 full scope of equivalents.
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 no
15 embodiments or 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
20 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
25 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.”
30 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,
8
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,
5 used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an
ordinary skill 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
10 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
15 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
20 embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all
embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or
elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in
the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all
embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any
25 appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the
context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context
of a single embodiment.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to
30 the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly 100, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the switch
9
assembly 100 depicting various components for operating a sunroof in a vehicle, according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100, includes
a housing 102 accommodating various components for operating the sunroof. The housing 102
has preferably a rectangular box structure with hollowed inner space to accommodate various
5 components according to embodiments of the invention. The housing 102 is generally placed in
a bezel on the door handle or on the roof of vehicle. The placement of the housing is always
preferred to be user accessible allowing the user to operate an actuation knob 104, placed on a
top surface of the housing 102.
The actuation knob 104 is pivotally mounted on a cavity 103 of the housing 102. The
10 cavity 103 is spaced opening inside the hollowed inner space of the housing 102. At least one
projected hook and preferably two projected hooks 105 are received in the cavity 103. The
arrangement is such that the actuation knob 104 rests over the top surface of the housing 102. As
it is understood that the actuation knob 104 is pivotally mounted, providing the user an
operational function to slide the actuation knob 104 in an oscillating manner. In a preferred
15 arrangement, the actuation knob 104 is mounted on the housing 102 and operated in a
longitudinal direction i.e., along the length of the motor vehicle, such that the user can slide the
actuation knob 104 in a forward direction of the motor vehicle or backward direction of the
motor vehicle for operating the sunroof.
In an illustration of the present invention, the projected hooks 105 are extending
20 structures in perpendicular direction from the bottom surface of actuation knob 104 are received
in the cavity 103 such that the projected hooks 105 descends in the cavity 103 thus resting the
actuation knob 104 on the top surface of the housing 102.
A holder 106 arranged with the hollowed inner space of the housing 102. The holder
having an upright arm 111 arising from an upper surface and perpendicularly erected towards
25 the cavity of the housing 102. The holder 106 couples with the projected hooks 105 using the
upright arm 111 forming a snap fit lock. Therefore, the assembly of the actuation knob 104
resting on the top surface of the housing 102 is coupled with the holder 106 placed inside the
housing 102. The holder 106 has a plunger element 107 extending towards the lower surface of
the holder 106 and away from the top surface of the housing 102. The plunger element 107 has a
30 recess structure adapted to be coupled with other structure.
In an aspect of the invention, a slider 108 is presented. The slider 108 is disposed below
the holder 106 within the hollowed inner space of the housing 102. The slider 108 having a rail
structural member 113 on which a hinge pin 109 is rested. The slider 108 has two lateral ends
10
across the rail structural member 113. The hinge pin 109 can perform movement, preferably the
movement is sliding on the rail structural member 113 in alignment with the two lateral ends i.e.,
from one lateral end to the other lateral end of the slider 108. The hinge pin 109 is coupled to the
plunger element 107 of the holder 106. Thus, the three components, i.e., the actuation knob 104,
5 the holder 106 and the slider 108 are into a mechanical connection and exchange the actuation
effects when the actuation knob is operated by the user.
The slider 108 has a slide-pin 120 which is disposed on the lower end portion. A spring
122 is inserted into the slide-pin 120. The slide-pin 120 and spring 122 assembly is placed at the
lower end of the slider 108, opposite to the end where a contact 110 is disposed. The slide-pin
10 120 and the spring 122 are configured to restrict the movement of the slider and provides a
support to ascertain the slider remains affixed in the cavity of the housing 102
In an illustrated embodiment, a spring element 118 is disposed at the two lateral
ends of the slider 108, wherein the spring element 118 forms connection between the slider 108
and the holder 106. The spring element 118 is placed perpendicular on the surface of the slider
15 connecting the holder 106. The spring element 118 acts as a reaction force on the coupling of the
plunger element 107 and the hinge pin 109. The spring element 118 eliminates rattle sound
while the user operates the actuation knob 104.
In another illustrated embodiment, the contact 110 is coupled to the lower end portion of
the slider 108 and extending downward from one of the two lateral ends of the slider 108. The
20 contact is in form of an arm-like structural member attached to the one of the lateral ends of the
slider 108 and with the furthest other end of the contact is connected to a Printed Circuit Board
(PCB) 112. The contact is responsible for opening or closing of the circuit on the PCB 112
providing electrical signals to a microcontroller.
In another illustrated embodiment, a connector case 114 is disposed below the slider 108
25 and adapted to support the slider 108. The connector case 114 provides a hollowed inner space
and an upper surface, wherein the slider 108 is adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of
the connector case 114.
The PCB 112 is disposed within the hollowed inner space of the connector case 114. As
it is understood, the slider 108 rest on the upper surface and the PCB is placed below the slider
30 108 in the connector case 114. The contact 110 from one of the ends of the slider extends and
connects with the PCB 112 thus the PCB generates electrical signals in response to the contact
110 making the connection or closing the circuit. A polarity terminal 116 is arranged on the
11
upper surface of the PCB 112 and extending downward towards a lower surface of the connector
case 114.
According to the embodiments of the present invention, the movement of the actuation
knob 104 in longitudinal direction causes the plunger element 107 to apply force on the hinge
5 pin 109 to slide in direction of the two lateral ends of the slider 108 allowing the contact 110 to
open or close the circuit on the PCB 112. The PCB upon a successful connection i.e., when the
contact slides on the PCB resulting in a close circuit, the PCB provides electrical signals to other
electrical components. The electrical signals are carried by the polarity terminal 116 to the
electrical components such as a microcontroller for operating the sunroof of the vehicle. When
10 the actuation knob is slide in the forward direction of the motor vehicle the sunroof opens and
sliding the actuation knob in the backward direction of the motor vehicle closes the sunroof.
Referring to Fig. 3, illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly 100 depicting
various alternative components for operating a sunroof in a vehicle, according to the alternative
embodiment of the present disclosure. The PCB 112 on its upper surface have a plurality of tact
15 switches 126. The tact switches as understood by ordinary skill in art are used to close an
electrical circuit when the button is pressed. A tilt plate 124 is arranged between the slider 108
and the PCB 112, wherein a lower part of the hinge pin 109 extends downwards to connect the
tilt plate 124 for pushing the tact switches 126.
According to alternative embodiment of the invention, when the user presses the
20 actuation knob 104 i.e., the user applies force on the actuation knob 104 displacing the actuation
knob 104 in transverse direction i.e., perpendicular to the height of the motor vehicle causes the
plunger element 107 to apply force on the hinge pin 109. The hinge pin 109 push the tilt plate
124 to presses the tact switches 126 resulting in closing the circuit and the PCB 112 provides
electrical signals to the microcontroller. The user is able to tilt the sunroof by pressing the
25 actuation knob in transverse direction.
The drawings and the forgoing 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
30 elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example,
orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described
herein.
12
Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown;
nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on
other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no
means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the
5 specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are
possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with
regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and
10 any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more
pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of
any or all the claims.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any
15 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
20 split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another
embodiment.

WE CLAIM:
1. A switch assembly (100) for operating a sunroof in a vehicle, the switch assembly (100)
comprising:
a housing (102);
5 an actuation knob (104) pivotally mounted on a cavity (103), wherein the
actuation knob (104) having at least one projected hook (105) adapted to be received in
the cavity (103);
a holder (106) arranged in the housing (102) and adapted to be coupled with the
at least one projected hook (105), wherein the holder (106) having an integrally formed
10 plunger element (107) extending from a lower surface of the holder (106);
a slider (108) with two lateral ends, having a hinge pin (109) formed on an upper
portion to couple with the plunger element (107), wherein the hinge pin (109) perform
movement in alignment with the two lateral ends;
a contact (110) coupled to a lower end portion of the slider (108) and extending
15 downward from one of the two lateral ends;
a connector case (114) disposed below the slider (108) and adapted to support the
slider (108);
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (112) disposed in the connector case (114),
wherein the PCB (112) provide electrical signals in response to the contact (110)
20 connecting on an upper surface of the PCB (112).
2. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the actuation knob
(104) in longitudinal direction causes the plunger element (107) to apply force on the
hinge pin (109) to slide in direction of the two lateral ends of the slider (108) allowing
25 the contact (110) to open or close circuit on the PCB (112) providing electrical signals to
a microcontroller.
3. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the PCB (112) provide electrical
signal to the microcontroller for opening or closing the sunroof of the vehicle.
14
4. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation knob (104) pivotally
mounted on a cavity (103), wherein the cavity disposed over a top surface of the housing
(102).
5. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a spring element (118)
5 disposed at the two lateral ends of the slider (108), wherein the spring element (118)
forms connection between the slider (108) and the holder (106) acting as reaction force
on the coupling of the plunger element (107) and the hinge pin (109).
6. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider (108) has a slide-pin (120)
disposed on the lower end portion opposite to the contact (110), wherein a spring (122) is
10 inserted into the slide-pin (120).
7. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector case (114) having a
hollowed inner space and an upper surface, wherein the slider (108) adapted to be
mounted on the upper surface of the connector case (114).
8. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a polarity terminal (116) is arranged
15 on the upper surface of the PCB (112) and extending downward towards a lower surface
of the connector case (114).
9. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PCB (112) having the upper
surface with a plurality of tact switches (126) to be pushed by a tilt plate (124) are
arranged, wherein a lower part of the hinge pin (109) extends downwards to connect the
20 tilt plate (124) for pushing the tact switches (126).
10. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the movement of the actuation knob
(104) in transverse direction causes the plunger element (107) to apply force on the hinge
pin (109) to push the tilt plate (124), wherein the tilt plate (124) presses the tact switches
(126) resulting in the PCB (112) providing electrical signals to the microcontroller for
25 tilting the sunroof of the vehicle.