The present invention relates to control switches for automotive vehicles including two
wheelers and three-wheelers. In particular, the invention relates to a winker switch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, vehicles are provided with various control switches for safe driving of the rider as
well as to the other riders. One such important control switch is winker switch (or a turn
indicator switch). On vehicles, the winker switch typically forms part of the left handlebar
console.
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a conventional winker switch as disclosed in Indian
Patent Application No. 2475/MUM/2009 which includes a bracket (1) that encases a carrier
(2). The carrier (2) supports a moving contact (3), a spring (4) and a steel ball (5). The winker
switch comprises a base (6) fitting with the bracket (1), the base (6) has one or more fixed
contacts (7). The winker switch comprises a lever support (8) which is locatable inside the
bracket (1). The lever support (8) is snap-fitted with an operating lever (9) which traverses
outside the bracket (1). The operating lever (9) is connected to a knob (14), which is located
outside the bracket. The winker switch further comprises a cover (10) that covers a part of the
operating lever (9).The lever support (8) houses a spring (12) and a ball or a plunger (13) that
acts as a follower. The follower moves over a profile of a CAM plate (11) which is
sandwiched between the bracket (1) and the cover (10). The cover (10) and the cam plate (11)
are tightly fitted with the bracket (1).
The conventional winker switch as shown in Figure 1 and described above has several well
documented disadvantages and to overcome these disadvantages, Indian Patent Application
No. 2475/MUM/2009 has proposed a modified winker switch as shown in Figure 2, which
comprises a bracket (21);a lever support (28) locatable inside the bracket (21) and being
snap-fitted with an operating lever (29) which traverses outside the bracket(21); and a cover
(30) for at least partly covering the said lever assembly located inside the bracket (1). The
operating lever (29) is connected to a knob (33) via a screw (34), and the knob (33) is located
outside the bracket (21).
The modified winker switch comprises carrier (22) disposed within the bracket (21), and the
carrier (22) supports a moving contact (23), a spring (24) and a steel ball (25). The modified
winker switch further comprises a base (26) with at least one fixed contact (27) mounted at a
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predetermined distance relative to the said moving contact (23). The modified winker switch
is characterized by:
(i) the lever support (28) being provided with a pivot element,
(ii) each of the bracket (21), the cover (30) being provided with a guide for receiving
the said pivot element, and
(iii) The bracket (21) being integrally molded with a cam plate which co-operates with
the spring (24) and the steel ball (25) for switch operation.
It is felt that even the modified winker switch as proposed in Indian Patent Application No.
2475/MUM/2009 has one or more disadvantages including the difficulty in making the parts,
utilization of a large number of components for making the modified winker switch, an
increased amount of time involved in assembling the modified winker switch, and higher cost
of the modified winker switch.
In both the conventional winker switch and the modified winker switch, construction of the
fixed contact terminals and the moving contact terminals is such that the internal resistance is
substantially high.
Thus, there exists a need to provide a winker switch that addresses one or more of the
aforesaid disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a winker switch (100), said winker switch (100)
comprising a housing (102);a cover (104) for covering the housing (102), the cover (104)
accommodating a set of fixed contact terminals (106); a lever assembly (108) defining a first
end and a second end, the first end of the lever assembly being located inside the housing
(102) and the second end being located outside the housing (102), the lever assembly (108)
exhibiting a pivotal movement in response to receiving an actuating force; a carrier (110)
located within the housing (102), the carrier (110) being operably coupled to the lever
assembly (108) and exhibiting to-and-fro movement in response to the lever assembly (108)
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exhibiting a pivotal movement, the carrier (110) accommodating a moving contact member
(112) that selectively comes in contact the set of fixed contact terminals (106) to define a
first electrical path and a second electrical path; a follower mechanism (114) accommodated
by the first end of the lever assembly (108); and an auto-return assembly (116) co-operating
with the follower mechanism (114). The auto-return assembly (116) comprises a sealing wall
(118) and a cam plate (120) projecting substantially perpendicularly there-from; and a rear
wall (122) of the housing (102) is provided with an aperture (124) for receiving cam plate
(120) and the sealing wall (118) is adapted to seal the aperture (124).
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 accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference
will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the
accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally
similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed
description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further
illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with
the present invention where:
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a conventional winker switch as disclosed in Indian
Patent Application No. 2475/MUM/2009;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of modified winker switch as disclosed in Indian Patent
Application No. 2475/MUM/2009;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of winker switch constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the auto-return assembly in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the housing in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention;
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Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the housing having the auto-return assembly
attached thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the cover having the set of fixed contact terminals
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 illustrates a view of the winker switch in a partly assembled state showing in
particular the moving contact member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 illustrates the three conditions of the winker switch namely the OFF condition, the
RIGHT winker ON condition, and the LEFT winker ON-condition in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the lever assembly in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to
represent like elements in the drawings. 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 dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings 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
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 THE INVENTION:
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
device, 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.
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.
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As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,”
“an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also,
as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise.
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 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
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device 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 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.
As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the terms "coupled to", “connected
to”, “operably connected to”, “operatively connected to” are intended to include both direct
connection / coupling (in which two elements that are coupled / connected to each other
contact each other) and indirect coupling / connection (in which at least one additional
element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled
with" are used synonymously. Similarly, the terms “connected to” and “connected with” are
used synonymously.
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 device, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
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The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with
respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language
in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to
the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not
to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed
individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found
herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for
reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the
specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written
description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Now referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated an exploded view of a winker switch (100)
constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The winker switch (100)
comprises a housing (102) and a cover (104) for covering the housing (102).The cover (104)
accommodates a set of fixed contact terminals (106). The winker switch (100) furthermore
comprises a lever assembly (108) defining a first end and a second end, the first end of the
lever assembly being located inside the housing (102) and the second end being located
outside the housing (102), the lever assembly (108) exhibiting a pivotal movement in
response to receiving an actuating force.
The winker switch (100) further comprise a carrier (110) located within the housing (102),
the carrier (110) being operably coupled to the lever assembly (108) and exhibiting to-and-fro
movement in response to the lever assembly (108) exhibiting a pivotal movement. In an
embodiment of the invention the carrier (110) accommodates a moving contact member (112)
that selective comes in contact with the set of fixed contact terminals (106) to define a first
electrical path and a second electrical path.
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The winker switch (100) furthermore comprises a follower mechanism (114) accommodated
by the first end of the lever assembly (108) and an auto-return assembly (116) co-operating
with the follower mechanism (114).
In an embodiment of the invention, the follower mechanism (114) comprises a first spring
(126) loaded with a first steel ball or a first plunger (128). In an embodiment of the invention,
the carrier (110) further accommodates a second spring (130) and a second steel ball or a
second plunger (132).
As best seen from Figure 4, which illustrates perspective view of the auto-return assembly
(116), the auto-return assembly (116) comprises a sealing wall (118) and a cam plate (120)
projecting substantially perpendicularly there-from. As best seen from Figure 5, which
illustrates a perspective view of the housing (102), a rear wall (122) of the housing (102) is
provided with an aperture (124) for receiving the cam plate (120). As best seen from Figure
6, which illustrates perspective view of the housing having the auto-return assembly (116)
attached thereto, the sealing wall (118) is adapted to seal the aperture (124). In an
embodiment of the invention, the sealing wall (118) and the housing (102) are provided with
a snap-fit mechanism (136) for mounting the auto return assembly (116) on to the housing
(102).
As best seen from Figure 7, which illustrates perspective view of the cover (104) having the
set of fixed contact terminals (106), the set of fixed contact terminals (106) are integrally
moulded with the cover (104). In an embodiment of the invention, the set of fixed contact
terminals (106) include a rectangular-shaped input contact terminal (106a), a rectangularshaped or square-shaped first output contact terminal (106b), and a rectangular-shaped or
square-shaped second output contact terminal (106c).
In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second output contact terminals (106b
and 106c) are arranged laterally side by side with a long distance there between, and the input
contact terminal (106a) extends laterally through the long distance and is arranged either
below or above the first and second output contact terminals (106b and 106c).
As best seen from Figure 8, which illustrates a view of the winker switch (100) in a partly
assembled state showing in particular the moving contact member (112), the moving contact
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member (112) comprises first to third movable contact terminals (112a, 112b, and 112c) that
project from a surface of the moving contact member (112).
As best seen from Figure 9, which illustrates the three conditions of the winker switch (100)
namely the OFF condition, the RIGHT winker ON condition, and the LEFT winker ON
condition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a non-actuated condition (or
in OFF condition), the first movable contact terminal (112a) is in contact with the input
contact terminal (106a). However, at this position there is no contact between the second
movable contact terminal (112b) and the first output contact terminal (106b). Likewise, at
this position there is no contact between the third movable contact terminal (112c) and the
second output contact terminal (106c).
When the lever assembly (108) is moved to the right-winker ON condition, the first movable
contact terminal (112a) is in contact with the input contact terminal (106a), the second
movable contact terminal (112b) comes in contact with the first output contact terminal
(106b), while at this position there is no contact between the third movable contact terminal
(112c) and the second output contact terminal (106c). On the other hand, when the lever
assembly (108) is moved to left-winker ON condition, the first movable contact terminal
(112a) is in contact with the input contact terminal (106a), the third movable contact terminal
(112c) comes in contact with the second output contact terminal (106c), while at this position
there is no contact between the second movable contact terminal (112b) and the first output
contact terminal (106b).
Thus, in simpler words, the first movable contact terminal (112a) remains in constant contact
with the input contact terminal (106a) while the second and the third movable contact
terminals (112b and 112c) are capable of being brought into contact with the first and second
output contact terminals (106b and 106c) respectively.
As best seen from Figure 10, which a perspective view of the lever assembly in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention, the lever assembly (108) comprises a metallic part
(108a) and a plastic part (108b), the plastic part (108b) being moulded over the metallic part
(108a). The metallic part (108a) is operably coupled or moulded to a knob (134).
ADVANTAGES OF PRESENT INVENTION:
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• The construction of the winker switch is such that it eases the process of assembling
the cam plate with the housing;
• The construction of the lever assembly is such that there is reduced number of
components and hence possesses lesser mechanical play;
• The construction of the cover with an integrated fixed contact terminals results in
elimination of the base which was being used otherwise;
• The construction of the cover with the integrated fixed contact terminals results in
elimination of gaps, thus making the winker switch less prone to ingress of foreign
contaminants;
• The construction of the fixed contact terminals and moving contact terminals is such
that it results in an increment in the insulation resistance. This increased insulation
resistance aids in better switching.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same 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 figures 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 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. 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 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.

WE CLAIM:

1. A winker switch (100), said winker switch comprising:
a housing (102);
a cover (104) for covering the housing (102), the cover (104) accommodating a set of
fixed contact terminals (106);
a lever assembly (108) defining a first end and a second end, the first end of the lever
assembly being located inside the housing (102) and the second end being located
outside the housing (102), the lever assembly (108) exhibiting a pivotal movement in
response to receiving an actuating force;
a carrier (110) located within the housing (102), the carrier (110) being operably
coupled to the lever assembly (108) and exhibiting to-and-fro movement in response
to the lever assembly (108) exhibiting a pivotal movement, the carrier (110)
accommodating a moving contact member (112) that selectively comes in contact the
set of fixed contact terminals (106) to define a first electrical path and a second
electrical path;
a follower mechanism (114) accommodated by the first end of the lever assembly
(108); and
an auto-return assembly (116) co-operating with the follower mechanism (114);
characterized in that:
the auto-return assembly (116) comprises a sealing wall (118) and a cam plate (120)
projecting substantially perpendicularly there-from; and
a rear wall (122) of the housing (102) is provided with an aperture (124) for receiving
cam plate (120) and the sealing wall (118) is adapted to seal the aperture (124).
2. The winker switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of fixed contact terminals
(106) are integrally moulded with the cover (104).
3. The winker switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of fixed contact terminals
(106) include a rectangular-shaped input contact terminal (106a), a rectangular-shaped
or square-shaped first output contact terminal (106b), and a rectangular-shaped or
square-shaped second output contact terminal (106c),
4. The winker switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and the second output
contact terminals (106b and 106c) are arranged laterally side by side with a long
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distance there between, and the input contact terminal (106a) extends laterally through
the long distance and is arranged either below or above the first and second output
contact terminals (106b and 106c).
5. The winker switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving contact member (112)
comprises first to third movable contact terminals (112a, 112b, and 112c) that project
from a surface of the moving contact member (112), the second and the third movable
contact terminals (112b and 112c) are capable of being brought into contact with the
first and second output contact terminals (106b and 106c) respectively, and the first
movable contact terminal (112a) is constantly in contact with the input contact
terminal (106a).
6. The winker switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever assembly (108) comprises
a metallic part (108a) and a plastic part (108b), the plastic part (108b) being moulded
over the metallic part (108a).
7. The winker switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing wall (118) and the
housing (102) are provided with snap-fit mechanism (136) for mounting the auto
return assembly (116) on to the housing (102).
8. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the follower mechanism (114)
comprises a first spring (126) loaded with a first steel ball or a first plunger (128).
9. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier (110) further
accommodates a second spring (130) and a second steel ball or a second plunger
(132).