Technical Field
The present subject matter relates to control switch assemblies for vehicles and,
particularly to a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 5 (HVAC) control switch assembly
for vehicles.
Background of Invention
Most of the automobiles include a control switch unit to control HVAC, i.e., Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Some control functions (e.g., temperature control) of the
10 control switch unit may be required to be illuminated in a particular color, for example, say,
blue color. On the other hand, remaining control functions (e.g., fan speed, air direction, and
fresh/recirculation of air) of the control switch unit may be required to be illuminated in a
different color, say, reddish amber color. Further, one or more knobs to select the abovementioned
control functions may also be required to be illuminated in said particular color,
15 that is, reddish amber color. To this end, there remains a need for a control switch unit that
can fulfil specific illumination requirements, such as required intensity and colors, for
different portions of the switch unit taking into consideration space limitations inside the
switch unit and design requirements from automobile manufacturers.
Summary of Invention
20 This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified version
that is further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to
identify key features or essential features of the present invention, nor is it intended as an aid
in determining the scope of the present invention.
3
In an embodiment, a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) control switch
assembly for vehicles comprises a first bulb for illuminating a fan-speed control switch, a
temperature control switch, and a first air mode switch. The assembly further comprises a
first coloured component disposed in vicinity of the first bulb such that the first coloured
component partially covers a light emitting region of the 5 first bulb to affect illumination of
the first air mode switch and a first region of the fan-speed control switch as per a colour of
the first coloured component. Further, the assembly comprises a coloured shaft component
disposed in vicinity of the temperature control switch. The coloured shaft component receives
a light emitted from the light bulb and guides the received light for affecting illumination of a
10 pointer of the temperature control switch as per a colour of the coloured shaft.
The advantages and details of the present invention will be apparent from the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which are explanatory only and
is not restrictive of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
15 To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more
particular description of the present 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 present invention and are therefore not
to be considered limiting of its scope. The present invention will be described and explained
20 with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) control switch
assembly for vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the HVAC control switch assembly, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
4
Figure 3 illustrates example positions of illumination sources present in the HVAC
control switch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
Figure 4 illustrates a section view of the HVAC control switch assembly, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
Figure 5 illustrates illumination zones of the HVAC 5 control switch assembly, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
It may be noted that to the extent possible like reference signs have been used to
represent like elements in the figures. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily
10 drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be
exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the
present invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the
figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
15 the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
the benefits of the description herein.
Detailed Description
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and
20 specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the present invention is thereby intended, such alterations and
further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles
of the present invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to
one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.
5
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the present invention
and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. Throughout the patent specification, a
convention employed is that in the appended figures, like signs denote like components.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment”, “ 5 another embodiment”
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, the appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”
and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the
10 same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to
cover a non-exclusive 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 process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or
15 structures proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with
reference to the accompanying figures.
Figure 1 illustrates a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) control switch
20 assembly 100 for vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
The HVAC control switch assembly 100 , hereinafter, is interchangeably referred to as
“assembly 100”.
6
The assembly 100, in an example, includes a fan-speed control switch 102, a
temperature control switch 104, a first air mode switch 106, a second air mode switch 108,
and an air vent selection control switch 110. As may be understood, the fan-speed control
switch 102 is used for controlling a fan speed with which the assembly 100 circulates
air/conditioned air into a vehicle. The temperature control switch 5 104 is used to set a desired
temperature value for the air. The first air mode switch 106 is used to activate a mode of the
assembly 100 whereby fresh air from outside is drawn in for circulating into the vehicle. The
second air mode switch 108 is used to activate a mode of the assembly 100 whereby air from
within the vehicle is drawn for circulation into the vehicle. The air vent selection control
10 switch 110 is used to select one or more vent(s) through which the air may be circulated into
the vehicle.
In a non-limiting example, only the temperature control switch 104 is to be
illuminated in blue color. In said example, the other control switches of the assembly 100,
that is, the fan-speed control switch 102, the first air mode switch 106, the second air mode
15 switch 108, and the air vent selection control switch 110 are illuminated in red color.
Furthermore, a pointer of the temperature control switch 104 is also illuminated in red color.
In an example, a first region of the fan-speed control switch 102, the temperature
control switch 104, and the first air mode switch 106 are illuminated using a first bulb.
Further, in said example, a second region of the fan-speed control switch 102, the second air
20 mode switch 108, and the air vent selection control switch 110 are illuminated using a second
bulb.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view 200 of the assembly 100, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter. In a non-limiting example, the assembly 100
includes a panel 202, body 204, at least one rotary knob 206, a fan knob 208, an F&R knob
7
210, a shaft 212, a gear 214, a temperature shaft 216, a PCB component (CP) 218, a cap case
220, a light guide 222, a cap light guide 224, a slider 226, and a lever 228. The assembly 100
further comprises a bare bulb (without color cap) (not shown in figure), a bulb (Reddish
amber cap) (not shown in figure).
The panel 202 is an aesthetic portion of the assembly 5 100 and covers various
functional parts of the assembly 100. The body 204 holds the PCB CP 218, the rotary knob
206, the shaft 212, the gear 214, and the panel 202. Further, the body 204 includes two detent
mechanisms for air direction (2 positions) and temperature control, respectively (18
positions). Two rotary knobs 206 are provided for changeover of different control functions
10 for an end user. The fan Knob 208 is fitted with a blower switch to easily operate 120˚
positions. The F&R knob 210 provides an interface between the end user and the assembly
100 to select fresh air and recirculation control functions. The shaft 212 is fitted in the body
204 to operate detent positions of air vent selection control switch. The gear 214 is fitted in
the body 204 to synchronize with the shaft 212 to operate a mode cable. The temperature
15 shaft 216 is fitted in the body 204 to operate detent positions of the temperature control
switch 104. The temperature shaft 216 further allows red color light to pass through it
towards the rotary knob for temperature selection. The PCB CP 218 is an internal circuit in
the assembly 100 and comprises seven resistors in series and one detector switch, in an
example. The cap case 220 is used to operate the detector switch. The light guide 222 is fitted
20 in the PCB CP 218 to guide the light. The cap light guide 224 is fitted in the light guide 222
with snap lock and converts the direct light of the bulb to Red color. The bare bulb without a
color cap is fitted in the PCB CP 218 and emits direct light, achieving required illumination
intensity at desired portions. The bulb with the Reddish amber cap is fitted in the PCB CP
218 to give light to achieve Reddish Amber illumination at desired portions.
8
Figure 3 illustrates example positions of illumination sources present in the assembly
100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an example, the
assembly 100 includes two illumination sources, such as bulbs 300 and 302. In an
embodiment, a first region of the fan-speed control switch 102, the temperature control
switch 104, and the first air mode switch 106 are illuminated b 5 y the bulb 300. Further, in said
embodiment, a second region of the fan-speed control switch 102, the second air mode switch
108, and the air vent selection control switch 110 are illuminated using the bulb 302.
Figure 4 illustrates a section view 400 of the assembly 100, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in the figure, the assembly 100 includes
10 a first bulb 402 and a second bulb 404. In an example, the first bulb 402 and the second bulb
404 are bare bulbs. The first bulb 402 illuminates a first set of control switches of the
assembly 100. In an example, the first set of control switches includes the fan-speed control
switch 102, the temperature control switch 104, and a first air mode switch 106. In an
example, the temperature control switch 104 comprises a plurality of colored symbols that are
15 illuminated by the light emitted by the first bulb 402.
In an example, the assembly 100 further includes a first colored component 406. In an
example, the first colored component 406 is made of plastic. The first colored component is
disposed in vicinity of the first bulb 402 such that the first colored component 406 partially
covers a light emitting region of the first bulb 402. As a result, the first colored component
20 406 affects illumination of the first air mode switch 106 and a first region of the fan-speed
control switch 102 as per a color of the first colored component 406. In an example, the first
colored component 406 is of reddish amber color.
The assembly 100 further includes a colored shaft component 408. The colored shaft
component 408 is disposed in vicinity of the temperature control switch 104. In an example,
9
the colored shaft component 408 receives a light emitted from the light bulb 402 and guides
the received light for affecting illumination of a pointer of the temperature control switch 104
as per a color of the colored shaft. In an example, the colored shaft component 408 is of
reddish amber color. Owing to the reddish amber color of the first colored component 406
and the colored shaft component 408, the first air mode switch 5 106, the first region of the fanspeed
control switch 102, and the pointer of the temperature control switch 104 are
illuminated in red color. Further, the plurality of colored symbols of the temperature control
switch 104 is illuminated by the first bulb 402 as per its natural light color. In an example, the
symbols are of blue color. Thus, the symbols are illuminated in blue color using the natural
10 light of the first bulb 402.
The second bulb 404 illuminates a second set of control switches of the assembly 100.
In an example, the second set of control switches includes the air vent selection control
switch 110, the second air mode switch 108, and the fan-speed control switch 102. In an
example, the second bulb 404 illuminates a second region of the fan-speed control switch 102
15 without illuminating the first region of the fan-speed control switch 102.
In an example, the assembly 100 further includes a second colored component 410. In
an example, the second colored component 410 is made of plastic. The second colored
component 410 is disposed in vicinity of the second bulb 404 such that the second colored
component 410 completely covers a light emitting region of the second bulb 404 to affect
20 illumination of the second set of control switches as per a color of the second colored
component 410. In an example, the second colored component 410 is of reddish amber color.
Figure 5 illustrates illumination zones of the assembly 100, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter. Zone 500 includes the blue colored plurality of
symbols of the temperature control switch 104 that are illuminated in blue color based on the
10
natural light color of the first bulb 402. Zone 502 includes the pointer of the temperature
control switch 104 and, is illuminated in reddish amber color using the first bulb 402 and the
colored shaft component 408. Zone 504 includes the first region of the fan-speed control
switch 102 and the first air mode switch 106 and is illuminated in reddish amber color using
the first bulb 402 and the first colored component 406. Zone 5 506 includes the second region
of the fan-speed control switch 102 and the air vent selection control switch 110 and is
illuminated in reddish amber color using the second bulb 404 and the second colored
component 410.
Embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for the purposes
10 of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and
modifications may be practised within the scope of the present invention. Thus, although the
present invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and drawings thereof,
the embodiments and drawings are merely illustrative, and not limiting of the present
invention.

We Claim:
1. A heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) control switch assembly for vehicles,
comprising:
a first bulb for illuminating a first set of control switches of the HVAC control
switch assembly, the first set of control switches 5 comprising a fan-speed control
switch, a temperature control switch, and a first air mode switch;
a first coloured component disposed in vicinity of the first bulb such that the
first coloured component partially covers a light emitting region of the first bulb to
affect illumination of the first air mode switch and a first region of the fan-speed
10 control switch as per a colour of the first coloured component;
a coloured shaft component disposed in vicinity of the temperature control
switch to:
receive a light emitted from the light bulb; and
guide the received light for affecting illumination of a pointer of the
15 temperature control switch as per a colour of the coloured shaft.
2. The HVAC control switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature
control switch comprises a plurality of coloured symbols, wherein the plurality of
coloured symbols are illuminated by the light emitted by the first bulb.
20
3. The HVAC control switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second set of
control switches, the second set of control switches comprising an air vent selection
control switch, a second air mode switch, and the fan-speed control switch.
25 4. The HVAC control switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, comprising a second bulb
for illuminating the second set of control switches, wherein the second bulbs
illuminates a second region of the fan-speed control switch without illuminating the
first region of the fan-speed control switch.
30 5. The HVAC control switch assembly as claimed in claim 4, comprising a second
coloured component disposed in vicinity of the second bulb such that the second
coloured component completely covers a light emitting region of the second bulb to
affect illumination of the second set of control switches as per a colour of the second
coloured component.
6. The HVAC control switch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first coloured
component and the second coloured component are made of plastic material.
7. The HVAC control switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colour of the
first coloured component is same as the colour 5 of the coloured shaft component.