DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a switching device and more particularly, relates to a switching device with an improved fixing structure for fastening electrical wires to the switching device.

BACKGROUND

Commonly, electrical switching devices are employed for operating a wide range of appliances by controlling a flow of current to such appliances. In particular, the electrical switching devices are employed in electrical circuits to divert or interrupt the flow of current flowing towards the appliances, and thereby switching-ON or switching-OFF such appliances. The electrical switching devices include a plurality of switches which are adapted to be operated by a user in order to switch-ON or switch-OFF various appliances. Such switches include electrical contact assemblies which are provided to connect electrical wires to the switches.

However, such electrical contact assemblies allow fastening of the electrical wires to the electrical switching devices in a specific orientation. For instance, an electrical contact assembly may be designed to allow fastening of the electrical wires from only one direction, i.e., either a from a rear portion or a side portion of the electrical switching device. However, such electrical contact assembly fails to allow the fastening of the electrical wires from both the rear portion and the side portion of the electrical switching device. Hence, this may lead to a substantial reduction in the overall reusability of the switching device for fastening the electrical wires in different orientations. Further, sub-components of the electrical contact assembly are required to be manufactured based on the specific orientation needed for fastening the electrical wires to the switching device. This may result in a substantial increase in the overall manufacturing cost of the switching device.

Therefore, there is a need for a switching device with an improved fixing structure which can allow the fastening of electrical wires to the switching device in different orientations.

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 switching device is disclosed. The switching device includes a housing member and a plurality of rockers adapted to be mounted on the housing member. Further, the switching device includes a plurality of switching pillars adapted to be pushed by the plurality of switches. The switching device also includes an electrical contact assembly having a plurality of connector units adapted to be in contact with the plurality of switches. Each of the plurality of connector units includes a connecting pillar adapted to pivotally support a moving contact element which is movable by each of the plurality of switching pillars. Further, each of the plurality of connector units includes a plurality of expansion connectors adapted to be connected to a plurality of load pillars and the moving contact element. Each of the plurality of expansion connectors includes a bent end adapted to be connected to the moving contact element.

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 front view of a switching device having a plurality of switches, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the switching device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switching device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the switching device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 5a illustrates a partial top view of the switching device depicting the electrical contact assembly disposed in the switching device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5b and Figure 5c illustrate partial perspective views of the electrical contact assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates a partial exploded view of the electrical contact assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 7 illustrates a partial side view of the switching device depicting various components of the switching device, 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 been 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 no 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 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, 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 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 front view of a switching device 100 having a plurality of switches 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The switching device 100 may be employed in houses and similar premises for operating various electronic devices, such as household appliances. For instance, each of the plurality of switches 102 of the switching device 100 may be employed to switch-ON or switch-OFF an operation of an electrical appliance. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of switches 102 may be embodied as a rocker switch, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the switching device 100 may be provided with an electrical contact assembly 306 (as shown in Figure 3) which enables fastening of electrical wires to the switching device 100. In particular, the electrical contact assembly 306 enables fastening of the electrical wires from both a rear portion of the switching device 100 and a side portion of the switching device 100. Each of the plurality of rockers 102 may be operably connected to the electrical contact assembly 306. Each of the plurality of rockers 102 may be operable between an ON-position and an OFF-position to switch-ON and switch-OFF, respectively, the operation of the electrical appliance. Constructional and operational details of the switching device 100 and the electrical contact assembly 306 are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the disclosure.

The present disclosure is explained with respect to the switching device 100 having a plurality of rocker switches 102. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure can equally be implemented with respect to other types of switches, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the switching device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the switching device 100 includes, but is not limited to, a cover plate 202, a mounting plate 204, and a housing member 206. In an embodiment, the cover plate 202 may be adapted to be mounted on the mounting plate 204. The mounting plate 204 may be adapted to be fixed on an installation surface. In an embodiment, the installation surface may include, but is not limited to, a wall and a ceiling. Further, the housing member 206 may be adapted to accommodate various sub-components of the switching device 100.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switching device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, the switching device 100 may include, but is not limited to, the plurality of rockers 102, the plurality of supporting members 302, a switch cover 304, and the electrical contact assembly 306. In an embodiment, the plurality of rockers 102 and the plurality of supporting members 302 may interchangeably be referred to as the rockers 102 and the supporting members 302, respectively, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The plurality of rockers 102 may operably connected to the electrical contact assembly 306 via the plurality of supporting members 302.

Figure 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the switching device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, in an embodiment, each of the rockers 102 may be adapted to be coupled with each of the supporting members 302. Each of the supporting members 302 may be adapted to connect each of the rockers 102 to the electrical contact assembly 306.

The rockers 102 may individually be referred to as the rocker 102-1, the rocker 102-2, the rocker 102-3, and the rocker 102-4, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the supporting members 302 may individually be referred to as the supporting member 302-1, the supporting member 302-2, the supporting member 302-3, and the supporting member 302-4, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in Figure 4b, the rockers 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, and 102-4 may be coupled to the supporting members 302-1, 302-2, 302-3, and 302-4, respectively. Further, the supporting members 302-1, 302-2, 302-3, may be in contact with the electrical contact assembly 306 of the switching device 100, which is explained in detail with respect to the Figures 5a-5c, Figure 6, and Figure 7 of the present disclosure.

Figures 5a illustrates a partial top view of the switching device 100 depicting the electrical contact assembly 306 disposed in the switching device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5b and Figure 5c illustrate partial perspective views of the electrical contact assembly 306, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 5a, Figure 5b, and Figure 5c, the electrical contact assembly 306 may be disposed in the housing member 206 of the switching device 100. In an embodiment, the electrical contact assembly 306 may include a plurality of connector units 502 adapted to be in contact with the plurality of supporting members 302 and adapted to be fastened with at least one electrical wire.

Referring to Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the switching device 100 may include four connector units 502-1, 502-2, 502-3, and 502-4 corresponding to four rockers 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, and 102-4. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and the switching device 100 may include multiple connector units corresponding to multiple switches, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Constructional and operational details of the connector units 502 are explained with respect to only one connector unit 502-1 as shown in Figure 6 of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure is equally applicable to other connector units 502-2, 502-3, and 502-4, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 5b and 5c, the connector units 502 may enable fastening of the electrical wires to the switching device 100 through a plurality of fastening members 504 including, but not limited to, screws. In an embodiment, the connector units 502 may interchangeably be referred to as the fixing structure for fastening electrical wires to the switching device 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector units 502 allow fastening of the electrical wires to the switching device 100 from a first side 506 and a second side 508 of the switching device 100.

Figure 6 illustrates a partial exploded view of the electrical contact assembly 306, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in details in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5a, Figure 5b, and Figure 5c are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 6. Referring to Figure 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector unit 502-1 of the electrical contact assembly 306 may include a plurality of expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2, a plurality of load pillars 604-1, 604-2, a connecting pillar 606, and the moving contact element 608. The plurality of load pillars 604-1, 604-2, and the connecting pillar 606 may be disposed in the housing member 206.

In an embodiment, the plurality of expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2 may interchangeably be referred to as the expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2 may individually be referred to as a first expansion connector 602-1 and a second expansion connector 602-2. The expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2 may be adapted to be connected to the moving contact element 608. Referring to Figure 5a and Figure 6, each of the expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2 may include a first portion 610-1 and a second portion 610-2 distal to the first portion 610-1. The second portion 610-2 may be provided with a bent end 612 adapted to be in contact with the moving contact element 608. The bent end 612 may extend in a direction away from the first portion 610-1.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of load pillars 604-1, 604-2 may be adapted to be connected to each of the expansion connectors 602-1, 602-2 and adapted to be fastened with at least one electrical wire. The plurality of load pillars 604-1, 604-2 may interchangeably be referred to as the load pillars 604-1, 604-2, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the load pillars 604-1, 604-2 may individually be referred to as the first load pillar 604-1 and the second load pillar 604-2.

In an embodiment, the plurality of connector units 502 may be disposed in the housing member 206 in a manner that a distance D1 between the load pillars 604-1, 604-2 of adjacent connector units is less than a distance D2 between the connecting pillars 606 of the adjacent connector units. As shown in Figure 5a, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of connector units 502 may be disposed in the housing member 206 in a manner that the distance D1 between the load pillars 604-1, 604-2 of adjacent connector units, such as the connector units 502-1, 502-2, is less than the distance D2 between the connecting pillars 606 of the adjacent connector units 502-1, 502-2.

Referring to Figure 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 610-1 of the first expansion connector 602-1 may be adapted to be connected to the first load pillar 604-1. Similarly, the first portion 610-1 of the second expansion connector 602-2 may be adapted to be connected to the second load pillar 604-2. Each of the first load pillar 604-1 and the second load pillar 604-2 may be adapted to be fastened to the electrical wires through the fastening members, such as fastening members 504-1, 504-2. In an embodiment, the first load pillar 604-1 may be adapted to receive the fastening member 504-1 along a direction parallel to an axis X-X’ (shown in Figure 5a) of the housing member 206. Similarly, the second load pillar 604-2 may be adapted to receive the fastening member 504-2 along the direction parallel to the axis X-X’ of the housing member 206. In an embodiment, the second load pillar 604-2 may be adapted to receive the fastening member 504-2 from the second side 508 of the switching device 100. The first load pillar 604-1 may be adapted to receive the fastening member 504-1 from the first side 506 of the switching device 100 and in a direction opposite to insertion of the fastening member 504-3 in the second load pillar 604-2.

Figure 7 illustrates a partial side view of the switching device 100 depicting various components of the switching device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting pillar 606 may be adapted to be fastened to the electrical wires through the fastening member, such a fastening member 504-3. The connecting pillar 606 may be adapted to pivotally support the moving contact element 608. The moving contact element 608 may be adapted to be in contact with the supporting member 302-1. The moving contact element 608 may be adapted to be movable by the switching pillar 702, which is explained in detail in the subsequent section of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 7, the switching device 100 may include a plurality of switching pillars 702 adapted to be pushed by the plurality of rockers 102. In an embodiment, the plurality of switching pillars 702 may individually be referred to as the switching pillar 702, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The moving contact element 608 may be adapted to be in contact with a switching pillar 702 disposed in the supporting member 302-1. In an embodiment, the moving contact element 608 may be adapted to form intermittent contact with the load pillars 604-1, 604-2 and the expansions connectors 602-1, 602-2. In particular, the moving contact element 608 may be adapted to be pivotally moved through the switching pillar 702 of the supporting member 302-1 to form intermittent contact with one of the first expansion connector 602-1 and the second expansion connector 602-2, and thereby forming connection with one of the first load pillar 604-1 and the second load pillar 604-2.

In an embodiment, the switching pillar 702 may be adapted to slide on the moving contact element 608, when the rocker 102-1 is moved between the ON-position and the OFF-position. In particular, upon the movement of the rocker 102-1, the switching pillar 702 of the supporting member 302-1 may slide on the moving contact element 608 and simultaneously push the moving contact element 608 in a downward direction. In one instance, when the rocker 102-1 is moved to the ON-position, the moving contact element 608 forms a contact with the first expansion connector 602-1. In such an instance, the moving contact element 608 forms the contact with the bent end 612 of the first expansion connector 602-1. In another instance, when the rocker 102-1 is moved to the OFF-position, the moving contact element 608 forms a contact with the second expansion connector 602-2. In such an instance, the moving contact element 608 forms the contact with the bent end 612 of the second expansion connector 602-2.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the switching device 100 having the electrical contact assembly 306 which enables fastening of the electrical wires to the switching device 100 from different directions. As mentioned earlier, the switching device 100 may be disposed on constructional surfaces, such as walls, for operating various electrical appliances. Therefore, the switching device 100 has a wide range of applications.

Furthermore, as explained earlier, the electrical contact assembly 306 enables fastening of the electrical wires from both the rear portion of the switching device 100 and the side portion of the switching device 100. Each of the connector units (502) of the electrical contact assembly 306 is provided with the plurality of expansion connectors (602-1, 602-2) adapted to be connected to the plurality of load pillars (604-1, 604-2). Further, each of the plurality of expansion connectors (604-1, 604-2) includes the bent end (612) adapted to be connected to the moving contact element (608) supported on the connecting pillar (606).

Owing to such an arrangement and construction of the expansion connectors (602-1, 602-2), the distance between the load pillars of outermost connector units, i.e., the connector unit 502-1, 502-4, is less than the distance between the connecting pillars of the outermost connector units. This may result in a substantial reduction in the overall size of the switching device 100. Further, as explained earlier, the connector units 502 are designed and positioned in the housing member 206 such that the electrical wires can be fastened to the switching device 100 from sides, i.e., 506, 508 and from the rear portion of the switching device 100. This may substantially eliminate the requirement for manufacturing different electrical contact assemblies based on the specific orientation needed for fastening the electrical wires to the switching device 100. Further, this may substantially reduce the overall physical effort involved in fastening the electrical wired to the switching device 100. Therefore, the switching device 100 of the present disclosure is flexible in implementation, compact, cost-effective, convenient, and has a wide range of applications.

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:A switching device (100) comprising:
a housing member (206);
a plurality of rockers (102) adapted to be mounted in the housing member (206);
a plurality of switching pillars (702) adapted to be pushed by the plurality of rockers (106);
an electrical contact assembly (306) having a plurality of connector units (502) adapted to be in contact with the plurality of rockers (102) and adapted to be fastened with at least one electrical wire, each of the plurality of connector units (502) comprising:
a connecting pillar (606) adapted to pivotally support a moving contact element (608) which is movable by one of the plurality of switching pillars (702) and adapted to be fastened with at least one electrical wire; and
a plurality of expansion connectors (602-1, 602-2) adapted to be connected to a plurality of load pillars (604-1, 604-2) and the moving contact element (608), wherein each of the plurality of load pillar (604-1, 604-2) is adapted to be fastened with at least one electrical wire.

2. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of expansion connectors (602-1, 602-2) includes a bent end (612) adapted to be connected to the moving contact element (608).

3. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of expansion connectors (602-1, 602-2) includes a first portion (610-1) and a second portion (610-2) distal to the first portion (610-1).

4. The switching device (100) as claimed in any of claims 2 and 3, wherein the second portion (610-2) is provided with the bent end (612) extending in a direction away from the first portion (610-1).

5. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion (610-1) of each of the plurality of expansion connectors (602-1, 602-2) is adapted to be connected to each of the plurality of load pillars (604-1, 604-2).
6. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of load pillars (604-1, 604-2) and the connecting pillar (606) are disposed in the housing member (206).

7. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality load pillars (604-1, 604-2) are adapted to receive fastening members (504-1, 504-2) along a direction parallel to an axis X-X’ of the housing member (206).

8. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting pillar (606) is adapted to receive the fastening member (504-3) along a direction parallel to an axis X-X’ of the housing member (206).

9. The switching device (100) as claimed in any of claims 7 and 8, wherein a first load pillar (604-1) is adapted to receive the fastening member (504-1) from a first side (506) of the switching device (100) and in a direction opposite to insertion of the fastening member (504-3) in a second load pillar (604-2).

10. The switching device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of connector units (502) is disposed in the housing member (206) in a manner that a distance (D1) between the plurality of load pillars (604-1, 604-2) of adjacent connector units is less than a distance (D2) between the connecting pillars (606) of the adjacent connector units.