TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an air bag switch assembly of a vehicle. More
specifically, the present disclosure relates to an air bag switch assembly of a vehicle
which has a liquid pass through structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, an airbag switch assembly
is provided to disable an airbag in a motor vehicle. The airbag ON/OFF switch is
introduced in passenger cars to activate and deactivate the co-passenger airbag in an
automobile. It allows the driver to activate or deactivate the co-passenger airbag as
per requirements. In a given situation, when a child seat is assembled on co-passenger
seat then the passenger airbag should not open because if airbag opens, it directly
opens on the face of the child seated in child seat and the pressure of airbag cannot be
beared by the child which can cause the death or serious injuries to the child.
Also, due to mounting position of the switch on instrument panel of the automobile,
there are chances of water or any liquid may enter inside the switch resulting in
malfunctioning of the mechanism.
To overcome the above problem in present invention a water pass through structure is
made due to this structure water or liquid may enter inside the switch but cannot reach
the electrical contacts i.e. it bypass the PCB sub-assembly and micro switches and
come out from the switch. In the present invention water or other liquid entrants is
guided through a predetermined path inside the switch and directed towards the
outlets or slots provided in the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
Figure 1 illustrates complete assembly of the air bag switch assembly according to the
present disclosure.
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Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the air bag switch assembly according to the
present disclosure.
Figure 3a-3b illustrates the front view of the air bag switch assembly according to the
present disclosure.
Figure 4a-4b illustrates the micro-switch of air bag switch assembly according to the
present disclosure.
Figure 5a-5b illustrates a sectional view air bag switch assembly along section B-B
according to the present disclosure.
Figure 6a-6b illustrates a sectional view air bag switch assembly along section C-C
according to the present disclosure.
Figure 7 illustrates the drainage holes in the body of air bag switch assembly
according to the present disclosure.
Figure 8 illustrates the flow of water in air bag switch assembly according to the
present disclosure.
Figure 9 illustrates the flow of water in air bag switch assembly according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of the air bag switch assembly in mounted
condition according to the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an elongated body comprising a first end,
a second end and an internal region defined there between. An elongated rotor is
coaxially received in the internal region of the body and rotatable with respect to the
body. The rotor comprises a proximal end, a distal end and external peripheral surface
defined there between wherein the rotor comprises a key hole at the proximal end for
receiving a key for the rotation of the rotor. A switching element is disposed in the
body and actuatable by the rotation of the rotor wherein the peripheral surface of the
rotor comprises an opening for allowing passage of the liquid entering the rotor from
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the keyhole and wherein the body comprises at least one channel in flow
communication with the opening of the rotor to drain out the liquid from the body.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotor is rotatable under a force of a
spring disposed in the body.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the channel extends between the first and
second end of the body and adapted to drain the liquid outside the body.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switching element is a micro-switch.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body is provided with a plurality of
snap locks at the first end and the second end.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water flows through channels from
first end of the body to the second end of the body.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bezel is secured to the first end of the
body.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pair of second channels are formed in
the body extending laterally to the first channel.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a back cover is secured to the second end
of the body.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an outlet is disposed on the back cover in
liquid flow communication with the first channel.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures
and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not
intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within
the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty
and inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention resides in air bag
on/off switch assembly for automobiles. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the
art can be motivated from the present invention and modify the various
constructions of assembly, which are varying from vehicle to vehicle. However,
such modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent
to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended
to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a
list of components does not include only those components but may include other
components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other
words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a”
does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or
additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention is to provide an air bag switch
assembly (1) (also referred as an air bag ON/OFF switch assembly (1)) used to
locking or unlocking the vehicle’s air bags using a key of the vehicle which overcome
at least one of the problems of the existing airbag switch assembly. The present
disclosure provides a solution as it allows the switch to operate hassle free even when
water has entered inside the switch because of liquid pass-through structure. The term
‘liquid pass-through structure’ herein refers to a structure which allows the liquid
which has entered inside the switch to drain out thereby avoiding the liquid to reach to
electrical/ electronic components such as contacts , PCB sub-assembly and switching
element.
Figure 1 shows an air bag ON/OFF switch assembly (1) according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrate the exploded view of the air bag switch
assembly (1) shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the air bag switch
assembly (1) comprises a front cover (2), a bezel (3), an elongated rotor (4) formed
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with a key hole (5), a first spring (6), a second spring (7), an elongated body (8), a
PCB sub-assembly (9), a pin header (10), a switching element (11) and a back cover
(12).
Referring to Figure 2, the elongated body (8) has a first end (8a), a second end (8b)
and an internal region (8c) defined between the first end and the second end.
The bezel (3) along has a front cover (2) which is an aesthetic portion of the switch
(1) and covers the functional or actuating parts of the switch assembly (1). The bezel
(3) is securable to the first end (8a) of the body (8) and the back cover (12) is
securable to the second end (8b) of the body (8). The elongated rotor (4) is coaxially
received in the internal region (8c) of the body (8). The term ‘coaxially’ herein refers
to sharing or having a common axis X-X. The rotor (4) is rotatable with respect to the
body about the axis X-X. The rotor (4) comprises a proximal end (4a), a distal end
(4b) and an external peripheral surface (4c) defined between the proximal end (4a)
and the distal end (4b). The proximal end (4a) of the rotor (4) faces towards the bezel
(3) and the distal end (4b) faces towards the back cover (12) of the switch assembly
(1). The key hole (5) is disposed on the proximal end (4a) of the rotor (4) and
configured to receive a key for operating the switch (1). The rotor (4) can be rotated
by the key received in the key hole (5). A switching element (11) is disposed in the
body (8). The switching element can be actuated by rotation of the rotor. In an
embodiment, the switch element is a micro-switch. However, any other suitable
switch element may be used. The micro-switch (11) may be mounted on the PCB subassembly
(9). The rotor (4) is rotatable degrees by the key guided in the key hole (5)
between 90 degree angularly spaced apart positions indicative of ON and OFF
positions of the switch assembly. The body (8) has two detent positions at angularly
spaced positions at 45 degrees apart which guide the rotation of the rotor (4). The
body (8) is also provided with a stopper to restrict the movement of the pin header
(10). In an embodiment, the rotor is rotatable under the force of the spring disposed in
the body of the switch assembly. The body (8) is provided with a plurality of snap
locks at the first end (8a) and the second end (8b).
Figures 3a and 3b shows the front cover (2) of the bezel (3) which markings
indicative of ON and OFF positions of the switch assembly (1). Referring to Figure
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4(a)-(b), in the on/off positions of the switch assembly (1), the position of rotor (4)
with respect to the micro-switch (11) is depicted. The micro-switch (11) remains free
during ON position of the air bag switch assembly (1) and remains in pressed
condition during OFF position of the air bag switch assembly (1). The PCB subassembly
(9) comprises of two resistors in series and one micro-switch (11) across
one of the resistor. The back cover (12) is used to cover the switch assembly (1) and
its components from the rear side.
Figures 5(a)-5(b) and 6(a)-6(b), 6b illustrate sectional views of the air bag switch
assembly (1) along sections B-B and C-C, respectively.
Referring to Figures 5(a)-5(b) and 6(a)-6(b), a first channel (13) is formed in the
internal region of body of the switch assembly (1). The first channel (13) is an
elongated channel extending between the first end (8a) and the second end (8b) of the
body (8). The external peripheral surface of the rotor comprises an opening which is
liquid flow communication with the first channel (13) of the body (8) thereby
allowing passage of liquid from the opening to the first channel (13). As can be
understood that liquid or water may enter the rotor through the key hole, the water
entered in the rotor passes through the opening formed in the rotor and enter into the
first channel.
As shown in Figure 7, the first channel (13) is configured to drain out the liquid from
the body of the switch assembly. For this purpose an outlet is disposed on the back
cover (12) in liquid flow communication with the first channel (13). The liquid
received in the first channel (13) from the opening of the rotor (4) is exited from the
switch assembly (1) through the outlet formed in the back cover (12). Thus, the
channel/passage (13) is formed in the body (8) of the switch assembly (1) to allow the
water to pass through the switch (1) instead of getting accumulated inside the switch
(1) as it might cause damage to the electrical/electronic components disposed in the
body of the switch assembly (1).
The bezel (3) has a bore (3a) for receiving the rotor 94). A peripheral region (3b) may
be defined between the bore (3a) and the rotor (4). As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the
liquid can also enter in body (8) of the switch assembly (1) through the peripheral
region (3b) disposed between the rotor (4) and the bezel (3). To drain out the liquid
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entering through the said peripheral region, a pair of second channels (14) are formed
in the body (8) extending laterally to the first channel (13). The second channels (14)
are adapted to drain the liquid directly out from the body (8).
As shown in Figure 10, the air bag on/off switch assembly (1) may be mounted on the
instrument panel of the vehicle which is sandwiched between the instrument panel
and co-passenger side of the window of the vehicle.
Some of the advantages of the present disclosure
 In the present invention water or other liquid entrants is guided through a
predetermined path inside the switch
 Water cannot reach the electrical contacts (i.e. PCB sub-assembly, microswitches,
etc.)
 Switch can work properly even if water enters the switch assembly
 Micro-switch is adjusted optimally inside the switch as there was a space
constraint because of more size of micro-switch in conventional switches and
a channel is provided in the switch assembly body to pass out the water.
 Packaging constraints for micro switch.
 Detent Profile design.
EQUIVALENTS:
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are
explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description.
Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as
to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are
intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments
herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the
embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting
the scope of the embodiments herein.
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The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general
nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge,
readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments
without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and
range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the
phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not
of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms
of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments
herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the
embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises”
or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer
or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more
elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the
disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has
been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for
the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters
form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field
relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this
application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or
quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower
than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall
within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification
specific to the contrary.
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While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this
disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that
many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the
principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the
disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art
from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing
descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not
as a limitation.
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LIST OF REFERNCE NUMERALS
Air bag switch assembly (1)
Front Cover (2)
Bezel (3)
Bore (3a)
Peripheral region (3b)
Rotor (4)
Proximal end of Rotor (4a)
Distal end of Rotor (4b)
Key hole (5)
First spring (6)
Second spring (7)
Elongated Body (8)
First end of elongated body (8a)
Second end of elongated body (8b)
Internal region (8c)
PCB assembly (9)
Pin header (10)
Switching element (11)
Back cover (12)
First channel (13)
Pair of second channels (14)

We Claim:
1. An airbag switch assembly comprising:
an elongated body comprising a first end, a second end and an internal region
defined there between;
an elongated rotor coaxially received in the internal region of the body and
rotatable with respect to the body; the rotor comprises a proximal end, a distal
end and external peripheral surface defined there between; wherein the rotor
comprises a key hole at the proximal end for receiving a key for the rotation of
the rotor;
a switching element disposed in the body and actuatable by the rotation of the
rotor;
wherein the peripheral surface of the rotor comprises an opening for allowing
passage of the liquid entering the rotor from the keyhole; and wherein the
body comprises at least one channel in flow communication with the opening
of the rotor to drain out the liquid from the body.
2. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotor is
rotatable under a force of a spring disposed in the body.
3. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel
extends between the first and second end of the body and adapted to drain the
liquid outside the body.
4. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching
element is a micro-switch.
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5. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, the body is provided with a
plurality of snap locks at the first end and the second end.
6. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water flows
through channels from first end of the body to the second end of the body.
7. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bezel is secured
to the first end of the body.
8. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a pair of second
channels are formed in the body extending laterally to the first channel.
9. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein a back cover is
secured to the second end of the body.
10. The airbag switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outlet is
disposed on the back cover in liquid flow communication with the first
channel.