FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an improved mirror switch assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, side rear view mirrors are mounted on each side of a vehicle, i.e., driver side and passenger side, to easily observe the rear during the operation or during stopping. The side rear view mirrors are operated using a mirror control switch. The mirror control switch is typically located on the driver's side door and is commonly referred to as master switch. Also, there can be another mirror control switch on the passenger side that is commonly referred to as slave switch.
[0003] Presently, the mirror control switches are electronic in nature and includes a knob that selects the side rear view mirrors, a knob that operates the side rear view mirrors in different directions (up, down, side to side), and a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising of actuators and electrical components to provide connection between the knobs. The PCB also includes a light emitting diode (LED) to illuminate the knob selecting the side rear view mirrors for operability at night. The single LED provides better illumination when the knob is at neutral position, i.e., neither of the side rear view mirrors is selected. However, the illumination is poor when the knob is operated to select either of the side rear view mirrors is selected. This poorly effects the operability of the side rear view mirrors at night, especially when external light sources such as streetlights, billboard lights, etc., are absent.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for a solution that overcomes the problem mentioned above.
SUMMARY
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is further described in the detailed description of the present disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In accordance with the purposes of the disclosure, the present disclosure as embodied and broadly described herein describes an improved mirror switch assembly.

[0006] In accordance with some example embodiments of the inventive concepts, an improved mirror switch assembly is disclosed. The improved mirror switch assembly comprises a selector switch and a printed circuit board (PCB). The selector switch is adapted to move amongst a plurality of positions. The PCB comprises a plurality of light sources to emit light and a lens positioned below the selector switch and adapted to move in accordance to a movement of the selector switch. The lens receives the light from one or more of the plurality of light sources according to a position of the selector switch and directs the light through the light path to illuminate the selector switch.
[0007] Some advantages of the present disclosure include, but not limited to, uniform illumination in the selector switch at all the plurality of positions.
[0008] These aspects and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These and other features, aspects, and/or advantages of the present disclosure 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a top view of an improved mirror control switch assembly comprising a selector switch at a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a sectional view the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch is at the first position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3A - FIG. 3D illustrates example simulation results of illuminating the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch at the first position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a top view of the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch is at a second position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a sectional view the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch is at the second position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6A - FIG. 6D illustrates example simulation results of illuminating the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch at the second position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a top view of the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch is at a third position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a sectional view the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch is at the third position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 9A - FIG. 9D illustrates example simulation results of illuminating the improved mirror control switch assembly when the selector switch at the third position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] 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 some operations involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. 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 some specific details that are pertinent to understanding some example embodiments of the inventive concepts 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
[0020] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to some example embodiments 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 disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further

modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure 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 disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a top view of an improved mirror control switch assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment, the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 are used to operate side rear view mirrors are mounted on each side of a vehicle, i.e., driver side and passenger side, to easily observe the rear during the operation or during stopping. The improved mirror control switch assembly 100 is typically located on side door of the vehicle at the driver side and is commonly referred to as master switch. In some examples, another improved mirror control switch assembly 100 can be located on side door of the vehicle at the passenger side and is commonly referred to as slave switch.
[0022] The improved mirror control switch assembly 100 includes a selector switch 102 and a directional switch 104. The selector switch 102 selects one of the side rear view mirrors in response to a user-input. As such, the selector switch 102 is adapted to move amongst a plurality of positions in response to the user-input. The plurality of positions includes a first position, a second position, and a third position. The first or a neutral or a normal position is default position of the selector switch 102 when the selector switch 102 selects neither of the side rear view mirrors. The second position or passenger side position of the selector switch 102 is when the selector switch 102 selects side rear view mirror at the passenger side in response to the user-input. The third position or driver side position of the selector switch 102 is when the selector switch 102 selects side rear view mirror at the driver side in response to the user-input. In an example, the selector switch 102 can be slide lock knob to lock on to the selected position.
[0023] Further, the selector switch 102 includes indicators, such as symbols or letters, to identify the side rear view mirrors. In an example as illustrated in the figure, the side rear view mirror located on side door of the vehicle at the driver side or right side is indicated as "R" while the side rear view mirror located on side door of the vehicle at the passer side or

left side is indicated as "L". As would be understood the indicators depend upon whether the vehicle is right-hand drive or left-hand drive. The present invention is described with respect to the vehicle being right-hand drive. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the right-hand drive and the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to the left-hand drive.
[0024] Further, the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 includes a directional switch 104 that operates the side rear view mirrors in different directions (up, down, side to side). In an example, the directional switch 104 can be a rotatory knob. The improved mirror control switch assembly 100 includes a mirror control switch 106. The mirror control switch 106 has a neutral setting that disables the selector switch 102 and/or the directional switch 104 to prevent accidental operation of the side rear view mirrors due to driver's arm bumping onto the selector switch 102 and/or the directional switch 104. In addition, the mirror control switch 106 may also prevent operating of the side rear view mirrors by the slave switch.
[0025] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a sectional view BB of the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 is at the first position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 108, a holder 110, a mid-holder 112, a contact holder 114, and contact member 116. The holder 110, the mid-holder 112, and the contact holder 114 adapted to create a contact between the selector switch 102 and the PCB 108 by sliding of the contact member 116 due to movement of the selector switch 102. The improved mirror control switch assembly 100 further includes a steel ball to create a point contact with detent profile (body) and act as a medium for spring force transfer to the detent profile for required force & detent feeling. The detent profile, the steel ball, and a spring manage switch force during the movement of the selector switch 102.
[0026] The PCB 106 includes a plurality of light sources 118 and a lens 120 to achieve illumination of the selector switch 102 for operability at night. The lens 120 is positioned below the selector switch 102 and is positioned eccentrically with respect to a centre line of the selector switch 102. The lens 120 is adapted to move in accordance to a movement of the selector switch 102. The holder 110, the mid-holder 112, and the contact holder 114 are adapted to provide a light path for the light emitted from the plurality of light sources 118 and travelling through the lens 120.

[0027] In accordance with the embodiments, the plurality of light sources 118 includes a first light source 118-1 and a second light source 118-2. Examples of the light sources 118 include light emitting diode (LED). In addition, the selector switch 102 includes an illumination area on which the indicators are printed such that the indicators illuminate from the light emitted by the light sources 118 and the side view mirrors can be operated easily. In an example, the illumination area on the selector switch 102 can be obtained by inserting a transparent or coloured member on top of the selector switch 102.
[0028] In operation, and referring to the FIG.l and FIG. 2, the selector switch 102 is at the first position, i.e., the neutral position. As such, the lens 120 has a first position proximate to the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2 when the selector switch 102 is at the first position. Consequently, the lens 120 is positioned directly above the first light source and the second light source at the first position such that the lens 120 receives complete light from each of the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-1. In an implementation, the lens 120 receives complete light from each of the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2 at 30-degress. Thus, at this first position, light from both the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2 travel directly to the lens 120 (as represented by the directional arrows). This achieves a uniform illumination at the illumination area of the selector switch 102. In addition, the lens 120 is designed in a manner to compensate for any losses due to reflections and interferences.
[0029] FIG. 3A - FIG. 3D illustrates example simulation results 302, 304, 306, and 308, respectively, of illuminating the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 at the first position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. For the simulation, table 1 below illustrates specification of the selector switch 102 and table 2 below illustrates illumination result.
Table 1

Selector Switch
Illumination Area L R
Illumination Off-Colour Off-White (NH-190L)
Illumination On-Colour White
Luminance (at 13.5 V) 3.0 +/- 0.5 cd/m2
Chromacity X=0.3707,Y=0.315
Measurement point 6 points (as indicated in the illumination area)

Table 2

Illumination Points Luminance (cd/m2) Specs: 3.0±0.5 cd/m2
1 2.85
2 2.89
3 2.83
4 2.98
5 2.78
6 2.85
7 2.84
8 2.86
9 2.81
10 2.82
Avg. 2.85
[0030] As can be gathered from the simulation results 302, 304, and 306, light travels from both the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2 travel directly to the lens 120 and uniformly illuminates the illumination area. As can be gathered from the simulation result 308, substantially similar luminance is obtained at the illumination points on the illumination area resulting in uniform illumination.
[0031] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a top view of the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 is at the second position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a sectional view BB of the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 is at the second position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity, elements explained in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are repeated in the description of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
[0032] In operation, and referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the selector switch 102 is at the second position, i.e., at the left side or passenger side. As such, the lens 120 has a second position proximate to the first light source 118-1 and distal to the second light source 118-2 when the selector switch 102 is at the second position. Consequently, the lens 120 is positioned directly above the first light source 118-1 at the second position such that the lens 120 receives complete light from the first light source 118-1 and partial light from the second light source 118-2. In an implementation, the lens 120 receives complete light from the first light source 118-1 at 0-degress. Thus, at this second position, light from the first light source 118-1 travels directly to the lens 120 (as represented by the solid directional arrows). However, light from the second light source 118-2 travels partially to the lens 120 (as

represented by the dashed directional arrows) since the second light source 118-2 is partially covered by the contact holder 114 due to movement of the selector switch 102. This achieves a uniform illumination at the illumination area of the selector switch 102 due to the positions of the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2. In addition, the lens 120 is designed in a manner to compensate for any losses due to reflections, refractions, and interferences of light from the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2.
[0033] FIG. 6A - FIG. 6D illustrates example simulation results 602, 604, 606, and 608, respectively, of illuminating the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 at the second position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. For the simulation, table 1 below illustrates specification of the selector switch 102 and table 2 below illustrates illumination result.
Table 1

Selector Switch
Illumination Area LK
Illumination Off-Colour Off-White (NH-190L)
Illumination On-Colour White
Luminance (at 13.5 V) 3.0 +/- 0.5 cd/m2
Chromacity X=0.3707,Y=0.315
Measurement point 6 points (as indicated in the illumination area)
Table 2

Illumination Points Luminance (cd/m2) Specs: 3.0±0.5 cd/m2
1 2.85
2 2.89
3 2.83
4 2.98
5 2.78
6 2.85
7 2.84
8 2.86
9 2.81
10 2.82
Avg. 2.85
[0034] As can be gathered from the simulation results 602, 604, and 606, light travels from both the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2 travel to the lens 120 and

uniformly illuminates the illumination area. As can be gathered from the simulation result 608, substantially similar luminance is obtained at the illumination points on the illumination area resulting in uniform illumination.
[0035] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a top view of the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 is at a third position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a sectional view BB the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 is at the third position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity, elements explained in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are repeated in the description of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
[0036] In operation, and referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the selector switch 102 is at the third position, i.e., at the right side or driver side. As such, the lens 120 has a third position proximate to the second light source 118-2 and distal to the first light source 118-1 when the selector switch 102 is at the third position. Consequently, the lens 120 is positioned directly above the second light source 118-2 at the third position such that the lens 120 receives complete light from the second light source 118-2 and partial light from the first light source 118-1. In an implementation, the lens 120 receives complete light from the second light source 118-2 at 0-degress. Thus, at this second position, light from the second light source 118-2 travels directly to the lens 120 (as represented by the solid directional arrows). However, light from the first light source 118-1 travels partially to the lens 120 (as represented by the dashed directional arrows) since the first light source 118-1 is partially covered by the contact holder 114 due to movement of the selector switch 102. This achieves a uniform illumination at the illumination area of the selector switch 102 due to the positions of the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2. In addition, the lens 120 is designed in a manner to compensate for any losses due to reflections, refractions, and interferences of light from the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2.
[0037] FIG. 9A - FIG. 9D illustrates example simulation results 902, 904, 906, and 908, respectively, of illuminating the improved mirror control switch assembly 100 when the selector switch 102 at the third position, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. For the simulation, table 1 below illustrates specification of the selector switch 102 and table 2 below illustrates illumination result.
Table 1

Selector Switch
Illumination Area LK
Illumination Off-Colour Off-White (NH-190L)
Illumination On-Colour White
Luminance (at 13.5 V) 3.0 +/- 0.5 cd/m2
Chromacity X=0.3707,Y=0.315
Measurement point 6 points (as indicated in the illumination area)
Table 2

Illumination Points Luminance (cd/m2) Specs: 3.0±0.5 cd/m2
1 2.85
2 2.89
3 2.83
4 2.98
5 2.78
6 2.85
7 2.84
8 2.86
9 2.81
10 2.82
Avg. 2.85
[0038] As can be gathered from the simulation results 902, 904, and 906, light travels from both the first light source 118-1 and the second light source 118-2 travel to the lens 120 and uniformly illuminates the illumination area. As can be gathered from the simulation result 908, substantially similar luminance is obtained at the illumination points on the illumination area resulting in uniform illumination.
[0039] While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, 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 concepts 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. Clearly, the present disclosure may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

CLAIM

1.An improved mirror switch assembly comprising:
a selector switch adapted to move amongst a plurality of positions; and a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising:
a plurality of light sources to emit light; and
a lens positioned below the selector switch and adapted to move in accordance to a movement of the selector switch;
wherein the lens receives the light from one or more of the plurality of light sources according to a position of the selector switch and directs the light through a light path to illuminate the selector switch.
2. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a holder, a mid-holder, and a contact holder adapted to create a contact between the selector switch and the PCB and to provide the light path.
3. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of positions include a first position, a second position, and a third position;
the plurality of light sources include a first light source and a second light source; and
the lens is positioned eccentrically with respect to a centre line of the selector switch.
4. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lens has a first position proximate to the first light source and the second light source when the selector switch is at the first position.
5. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lens is positioned directly above the first light source and the second light source at the first position such that the lens receives complete light from each of the first light source and the second light source.

6. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lens receives complete light from each of the first light source and the second light source at 30-degress.
7. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lens has a second position proximate to the first light source and distal to the second light source when the selector switch is at the second position.
8. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lens is positioned directly above the first light source at the second position such that the lens receives complete light from the first light source and partial light from the second light source.
9. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lens has a third position proximate to the second light source and distal to the first light source when the selector switch is at the third position.
10. The improved mirror switch assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lens is positioned directly above the second light source at the third position such that the lens receives complete light from the second light source and partial light from the first light source.