Description:CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a patent of addition of the main Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833 of Filing date February 08, 2018, and Publication date August 23, 2019. The present application comprises an improvement or a modification of the invention claimed in the specification of the main patent applied for in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to switches for automobiles, and in particular relates to a switch for handlebar/steering assembly.

BACKGROUND

Switches are known in automobiles to exhibit various functions such as dimming-actions, wiper-action, variation of fan-speed etc. One of the category of switches are located within the handlebar or steering-assembly of an automobile, wherein a single-switch is oriented in a plurality of directions to lead to multiple functions. Provision of such switches usually aims at extracting maximum functions from the handlebar assembly while minimizing the number of switches present therein. An example of the switch known in the handlebar/steering is an assembly of a knob movable within a fixed housing to thereby act a moving-contact based switch. Such switch operates partly as a slide-switch and partly as a toggle-switch. In an example, the switch may be a dimmer-switch with pass-function as known in automobiles for varying between high and low light-beams and executing a ‘dipper’ action. While the sliding leads to variation between high and low beams, the toggling performs the pass function.

Figure 1 illustrates a partial bottom view of a switch assembly disclosed in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833. Referring to Figure 1, the switch assembly, such as a rotary switch, comprises a knob coupled to a rotatable carrier. The knob is adapted to be rotated in either a clockwise direction from a default position or an anti-clockwise direction from the default position. In the default position of the knob, the rotary switch operates in a low light mode. During an anti-clockwise rotation of the knob, the rotatable carrier engages with a detent of a housing member to attain a first rotated position corresponds to one of a high beam mode, engine off mode, and a wiper off mode. During a clockwise direction of the knob, the rotatable carrier is momentary moves to a second rotated position. When a force is withdrawn from the knob, the rotatable carrier needs to return to the default position along with the knob.

In particular, referring to Figure 1, a steel ball disposed in at least one of spokes ‘S’ of the rotatable carrier forms a 90-degree angle ‘A’ with respect to a surface of the detent-profile of the housing member, when the knob is rotated to the second rotated position. Further, the spokes ‘S’ of the rotatable carrier are disposed opposite and coaxially with respect to each other. Owing to such point of contact and alignment of the spokes ‘S’, the rotatable carrier stuck at the second rotated position and fails to automatically move to the default position. Therefore, in the second rotated position, the rotatable carrier tends to occasionally stuck and fails to move to the default position in absence of any external force on the knob. This substantially reduces overall user experience while operating the rotary switch.

Further, the rotary switch as disclosed in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833 is usually employed for high ampere switching. The rotary switch comprises a base assembly adapted to support a resistive track and a plurality of electrical terminals. However, such arrangement is susceptible to high leakage of current and can only be employed for high ampere switching. Therefore, such rotary switch is not suitable to be implemented in a vehicle requirement of low ampere switches for electric vehicles.

Accordingly, there lies a need of a modification in the rotary switch of the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833 to at-least obviate the aforementioned disadvantages.

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, an improved rotary-switch for steering-assembly of a vehicle. The improved rotary-switch comprises a knob and a housing having a first-side adapted to support the knob and a second-side defining an enclosure. Further, the improved rotary switch comprises a switching unit disposed in the housing. The switching unit comprises a cover member and a pair of micro-switches disposed in the cover member. Further, the improved rotary switch comprises a rotatable member coupled to the knob and comprising a plurality of extending spokes adapted to be engaged with at least a portion of the housing based on a rotation of the knob. The rotatable member is adapted to be rotated via the knob in one of a first operating position and a second operating position to selectively operate the pair of micro-switches. In the first operating position, the rotatable member is rotated by a predefined angle in a manner that the plurality of extending spokes engages with grooves of a detent-profile of the housing and operates one of the pair of micro-switches. In the second operating position, the rotatable member is rotated by the predefined angle in a manner that the plurality of extending spokes slides on contact surfaces of the detent-profile adjacent to the grooves and momentarily operates one of the pair of micro switches. The plurality of extending spokes abuts on the contact surfaces in a manner that an acute angle is defined between the contact surfaces and the plurality of extending spokes. The plurality of extending spokes is disposed laterally offset with respect to each other.

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:

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate different perspective views of an improved rotary switch for steering-assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2c illustrates an exploded view of the improved rotary switch for steering-assembly of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates a partial top view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a rotatable member of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the rotatable member of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 8 illustrates a partial top view of the improved rotary switch depicting a position of the rotatable member in one of the operating positions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 9 illustrates a partial side view of the improved rotary switch depicting one of micro-switches, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 10a illustrates a side sectional view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 10b illustrates a partial top view of the improved rotary switch depicting an arrangement of the micro-switches, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 11a, 11b, and 11c illustrate different operating positions of the improved rotary switch, 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.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate different perspective views of an improved rotary switch 100 for steering-assembly of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2c illustrates an exploded view of the improved rotary switch 100 for steering-assembly of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the improved rotary switch 100 may interchangeably be referred to as the rotary switch 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The rotary switch 100 may be adapted to be implemented in the vehicle, such as an electric vehicle and a fuel-based vehicle, to operate various functions associated with such vehicle.

It should be noted that the rotary switch 100 of the present disclosure is designed by modifying and improving constructional features of at least one sub-component, such as carrier assembly/rotatable member and switching unit, of the rotary switch disclosed in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833 to overcome the drawbacks, as explained in the background section of the present disclosure. Operational and constructional details of other sub-components of the rotary switch 100 may remain substantially similar to the sub-components of the rotary switch as disclosed in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833.

Therefore, for sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the rotary switch 100 are explained with respect to only modified and improved sub-components of such switch. However, it should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it should not be construed as limiting, and details of analogous sub-components as disclosed in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833 can also be implemented for the rotary switch 100 of the present disclosure, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, the rotary switch 100 may include, but is not limited to, a knob 102, a housing 106, a switching unit 109, and a carrier assembly 107 having a rotatable member 108. The rotary switch 100 may be fixed to the automobile through a screw-thread mechanism, within which the rotary knob 102 is rotatable with respect to a fixed housing assembly, i.e., the housing 106 of the rotary switch 100. The housing 106 may include a first-side adapted to support the knob 102 and a second-side defining an enclosure to accommodate various sub-components of the rotary switch 100. The knob 102 may be axially connected to the first side of the housing 106 and to the rotatable member 108. Each of the knob 102 and the housing 106 (and accordingly the components within the housing assembly 106) comprises a threaded through-bore for receiving a screw as a fastener to thereby achieve the axial-connection.

As shown in the Figures, the housing 106 may include, but is not limited to, a torsion-spring 104 for enabling a resilient rotary-motion of the rotatable member 108 supported within the housing 106. The rotatable member 108 and the knob 102 may be adapted to rotate as a single-unit. The torsion-spring 104 is provided between the knob 102 and the first side of the housing 106 to facilitate restoration of the knob 102 to a default-position from the rotated-positions. Further, the housing 106 may include a plurality of arcuate-grooves to facilitate axial-connection between the knob 102 located at the first-side with the rotatable member 108 located at the second-side of the housing 106.

Further, referring to Figures 2c, the switching unit 109 of the rotary switch 100 may be disposed in the housing 106. The switching unit 109 may include, but is not limited to, a cover member 110 and a pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2 disposed in the cover member 110. Each of the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2 may be adapted to be operated based on the rotational movement of the knob 102 along with the rotatable member 108. Constructional and operational details of the switching unit 109 are explained in detail with respect to the description of Figures 10, 11a, and 11b of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a partial top view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, the rotatable member 108 may be coupled to the knob 102. In an embodiment, the rotatable member 108 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 adapted to be engaged with at least a portion of the housing 106 based on a rotation of the knob 102.

The rotatable member 108 may be allowed to undergo a limited rotation within the housing 106 by a pre-determined angle. The housing 106 may include the plurality of arcuate-grooves (not shown) to facilitate the axial-connection between the knob 102 located at the first-side with the rotatable member 108 located at the second-side. The arcuate-grooves allow the protrusions of the rotatable member 108 to be received within the cylindrical grooves of the knob 102 and accordingly define limit for the rotation of the combination of the knob 102 and the rotatable member 108. Accordingly, the rotation of the rotatable member 108 with respect to the housing 106 may be allowed to the extent wherein protrusions of the rotatable member 108 are able to traverse the zone defined by the arcuate grooves.

While in rest or during rotation, the rotatable member 108 is supported within the housing 106 at two angularly separated pre-defined locations within the housing 106 (at two symmetrically spaced-apart locations within the housing) by virtue of establishment of a snug-fit connection between a v-shaped groove (detent-profile) and the rotatable member 108. As later described, such two positions are operable states corresponding to a default state and a rotated state of the rotary switch 100. Another operable state of the rotary switch 100, which is also a rotated state, however leads to unstable support of the rotatable member 108 within the housing 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable member 108 may be adapted to be rotated via the knob 102 in one of a first operating position and a second operating position to selectively operate the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2. In the first operating position, the rotatable member 108 may be rotated by a predefined angle in a manner that the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 engages with grooves 402-3, such as v-grooves, of a detent-profile 106-1 of the housing 106 and operates one of the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2.

Further, in the second operating position, the rotatable member 108 may be rotated by the predefined angle in a manner that the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 slides on contact surfaces 402-2 of the detent-profile 106-1 adjacent to the grooves 403-3 and momentarily operates one of the pair of micro switches 112-1, 112-2. The plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 may abut on the contact surfaces 402-2 in a manner that an acute angle is defined between the contact surfaces 402-2 and the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4. The plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 may be disposed laterally offset with respect to each other.

Further, the rotatable member 108 may be adapted to be rotated via the knob 102 to a default operating position defined between the first operating position and the second operating position. In the default operating position, the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 may engage with grooves 402-3 of the detent-profile 106-1 of the housing 106. The knob 102 may be rotated in an anticlockwise direction, by applying a force, from the default operating position to move the rotatable member 108 to the first operating position.

Further, the knob 102 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, by applying the force, from the default operating position to move the rotatable member 108 to the second operating position. The plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 may slide on the contact surfaces 402-2a, 402-2b of the detent-profile 106-1 and move away from the grooves 402-1 of the detent-profile 106-1 to momentarily operates one of the pair of micro switches 112-1, 112-2 in the second operating position. In the second operating position, when the force is withdrawn from the knob 102 the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 slide on the contact surfaces 402-2a, 402-2b of the detent-profile 106-1 towards the grooves 402-1 in a manner that the rotatable member 108 along with the knob 102 moves to the default operating position.

Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a rotatable member of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the rotatable member of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 illustrates a partial top view of the improved rotary switch depicting a position of the rotatable member in one of the operating positions, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A spring/steel-ball based mechanism is provided at other pair of diametrically-opposite spokes, such as 108-3, 108-4, the first to cause a snug-fit engagement with the detent-profile 106-1 of the housing 106. Referring to Figures 4, 6, and 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 may include a first spoke 108-3 and a second spoke 108-4 diagonally opposite to the first spoke 108-3. Each of the first spoke 108-3 and a second spoke 108-4 may include a bore 404-1, 404-2 adapted to receive a spring 108-2 and a ball 108-1 engaged with the spring 108-2. In the illustrated embodiment, the bore 404-1 of the first spoke 108-3 may be laterally offset (O) with respect to the bore 404-2 of the second spoke 108-4.

In an embodiment, the detent-profile 106-1 may include, but is not limited to, the grooves 402-1, 402-3, a first contact surface 402-2a, and a second contact surface 402-2b. The ball 108-1 of each of the first spoke 108-3 and the second spoke 108-4 may abut with the first contact surface 402-2a and the second contact surface 402-2b, respectively, of the housing member 106 when the knob 102 is rotated to the second operating position. In the second position, the acute angle, such as 8 may be defined between each of the first contact surface 402-2a and the first spoke 108-3. Similarly, the acute angle may be defined between each of the second contact surface 402-2b and the second spoke 108-4.

Further, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 8, the first spoke 108-3 comprises an actuating portion 602 having a pair of ribs 602-1, 602-2 adapted to actuate the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2 based on the rotation of the knob 102. Each of the pair of ribs may be extending in a direction away from a central axis of the first spoke 108-3. Operational details of the rotary switch 100 are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figure 9 illustrates a partial side view of the improved rotary switch depicting one of micro-switches, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10a illustrates a side sectional view of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10b illustrates a partial top view of the improved rotary switch depicting an arrangement of the micro-switches, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 9 and Figures 10a-10b, the first micro-switch 112-1 and the second micro-switch 112-2 may include, but is not limited to, a first engaging portion 113-1 and a second engaging portion 113-2, respectively. The first engaging portion 113-1 may be adapted to be pressed by the rotatable member 108 to operate the first micro-switch 112-1 when the knob 102 is moved to the first operating position. Similarly, the second engaging portion 113-2 may be adapted to be pressed by the rotatable member 108 to operate the second micro-switch 112-2 when the knob 102 is moved to the second operating position.

As mentioned earlier, the cover member 110 of the switch assembly 109 may be adapted to accommodate the first micro-switch 112-1 and the second micro-switch 112-2. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover member 110 of the switch assembly 109 may include, but is not limited to, a first slot adapted to accommodate a first micro-switch 112-1 from among the pair of micro-switches and a second slot adapted to accommodate a second micro-switch 112-2 from among the pair of micro-switches.

Further, the switching unit 109 may include, but is not limited to, a pair of switch covers 114 and a pair of gasket members 116. The pair of switch covers 114 may be adapted to be coupled to the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2. Further, each of the pair of gasket members 116 may be disposed below each of the first micro-switch 112-1 and the second micro-switch 112-2. The pair of gasket members 116 may be sandwiched between the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2 and the cover member 110. Each of the pair of gasket members 116 may be embodied as a rubber gasket. Each of the pair of gasket members 116 may be adapted to provide tight assembly to the micro-switches 112-1, 112-2 and eliminate probability of loose assembly which further reduces chance of failure in a vibration test.

Figures 11a, 11b, and 11c illustrate different operating positions of the improved rotary switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 11a, the knob 102 and the rotatable member 108 may be aligned to the default position in a manner that the balls of the first spoke 108-3 and the second spoke 108-2 rests in the groove 402-1 of the detent-profile 106-1 of the housing 106. In the default position, a direct electrical connection may be established to provide a pre-define amount of current for enabling at least one of the operations, such as a) Emergence of “a low-beam” from a headlight of the automobile, b) Engine ON condition, and c) ON state of windscreen-wipers, in the vehicle.

Further, referring to Figure 11b, the knob 102 and the rotatable member 108 may be moved in the anti-clockwise direction to the first operating position from the default position. When the knob 102 is rotated to the first operating position, the balls of the first spoke 108-3 and the second spoke 108-2 may dislodge from the groove 402-1 of the detent-profile 106-1 and simultaneously, engages with the groove 402-3 of the detent profile 106-1. The knob 102 and the rotatable member 108 may be aligned to the first operating position in a manner that the balls of the first spoke 108-3 and the second spoke 108-2 rests in the groove 402-3 of the detent-profile 106-1. In the first operating position, the rib 602-2 may abut the first operating portion 113-1 of the first micro-switch 112-1 and simultaneously, pushes the first operating portion 113-1 to operate the first micro-switch 112-1. Owing to operation of the first micro-switch 112-1, a closed electrical circuit is formed for enabling at least one of the operations, such as a) Emergence of “a high-beam” from a headlight of the automobile, b) Engine OFF condition, and c) OFF state of windscreen-wipers.

Referring to Figure 11c, the knob 102 and the rotatable member 108 may be moved in the clockwise direction to the second operating position from the default position. When the knob 102 is rotated to the second operating position, the balls of the first spoke 108-3 and the second spoke 108-2 may dislodge from the groove 402-1 of the detent-profile 106-1 and simultaneously, slides on the first contact surface 402-2a and the second contact surface 402-2b, respectively, of the detent profile 106-1. In such a position, the carrier assembly 107 may only momentarily stable as long as a force is applied on the knob 102. In the second operating position, the rib 602-1 may abut the second operating portion 113-2 of the second micro-switch 112-2 and simultaneously, pushes the second operating portion 113-2 to operate the second micro-switch 112-2. Owing to operation of the second micro-switch 112-2, a closed electrical circuit is formed for enabling at least one of the operations, such as a) momentarily “switching off” the headlight such momentary switching off of the headlight may be referred as a “pass position” or “dipper action”, b) Ignition ON condition c) A single wiper-pass, and d) Water–splash at the windscreen.

As mentioned earlier, the second operating position is a momentary position of the knob 102 and the carrier assembly 107. Upon releasing the force, both the knob 102 and the carrier assembly 107 return to their original state, i.e., the default position. This is due to the fact that no ‘v groove’ or detent-profile gets engaged with the balls of the spokes 108-3, 108-2. The torsion spring 110 connected to the knob 102 may enable restoration in the position of the knob 102 and the rotatable member 108 to the default position upon release of the force.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers the improved rotary switch 100 for steering-assembly of a vehicle. As explained earlier, in the second operating position, the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 may abut on the contact surfaces 402-2 in a manner that the acute angle is defined between the contact surfaces 402-2 and the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4. Further, the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4 of the rotatable member 108 may be disposed laterally offset with respect to each other.

Owing such construction of the rotatable member 108 and the acute angle defined between the contact surfaces 402-2 and the plurality of extending spokes 108-3, 108-4, the knob 102 and the rotatable member 108 can smoothly return back to the default position from the second operating position in absence of any external force on the knob 102. This substantially eliminates the problem associated with the rotatable member getting stuck at the second operating position in absence of the external force on the knob 102. This substantially increases overall user experience while operating the rotary switch 100.

Further, the rotary switch 100 as disclosed in the Indian Patent Application No. 201811004833 is susceptible to high leakage of current and can only be employed for high ampere switching. However, the rotary switch 100 of the present disclosure is employed with the pair of micro-switches 112-1, 112-2 in which contact areas are sealed by epoxy. This enables implementation of the rotary switch 100 in electric vehicles which require low ampere switches. The rotary switch 100 at least substantially facilitates a symmetric arrangement of detent-profiles. Further, a smooth lodgement of steel balls within the detent-profile is rendered through a spring action, thereby substantially obviating the frictional forces that get generated due to conventional means of engagement with the detent-profiles. Overall, a symmetric & balanced structure of the improved rotary switch 100 ensures a substantial ease of operation and durability.

Therefore, the improved rotary switch 100 of the present disclosure is flexible in implementation, cost-effective, compact, convenient, and operationally effective.

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:1. An improved rotary-switch (100) for steering-assembly of a vehicle, the improved rotary-switch (100) comprising;
a knob (102);
a housing (106) having a first-side adapted to support the knob (102) and a second-side defining an enclosure;
a switching unit (109) disposed in the housing (106) and comprising a cover member (110) and a pair of micro-switches (112-1, 112-2) disposed in the cover member (110); and
a rotatable member (108) coupled to the knob (102) and comprising a plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) adapted to be engaged with at least a portion of the housing (106) based on a rotation of the knob (102), the rotatable member (108) adapted to be rotated via the knob (102) in one of a first operating position and a second operating position to selectively operate the pair of micro-switches (112-1, 112-2), wherein:
in the first operating position, the rotatable member (108) is rotated by a predefined angle in a manner that the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) engages with grooves (402-3) of a detent-profile (106-1) of the housing (106) and operates one of the pair of micro-switches (112-1, 112-2); and
in the second operating position, the rotatable member (108) is rotated by the predefined angle in a manner that the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) slides on contact surfaces (402-2) of the detent-profile (106-1) adjacent to the grooves (403-3) and momentarily operates one of the pair of micro switches (112-1, 112-2),
wherein the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) abuts on the contact surfaces (402-2) in a manner that an acute angle is defined between the contact surfaces (402-2) and the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4), the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) is disposed laterally offset with respect to each other.

2. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable member (108) is a hub and spoke arrangement comprising a spring-based mechanism at the spokes to cause a snug-fit engagement with the detent-profile (106-1) of the housing (106).

3. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) comprises a first spoke (108-3) and a second spoke (108-4) diagonally opposite to the first spoke (108-3), each of the first spoke (108-3) and a second spoke (108-4) comprises a bore (404-1, 404-2) adapted to receive a spring (108-2) and a ball (108-1) engaged with the spring (108-2).

4. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bore (404-1) of the first spoke (108-3) is laterally offset with respect to the bore (404-2) of the second spoke (108-4).

5. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ball (108-1) of each of the first spoke (108-3) and the second spoke (108-4) abuts with a first contact surface (402-2a) and a second contact surface (402-2b), respectively, of the housing member (106) when the knob (102) is rotated to the second operating position.

6. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the acute angle is be defined between each of:
the first contact surface (402-2a) and the first spoke (108-3); and
the second contact surface (402-2b) and the second spoke (108-4).

7. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable member (108) is adapted to be rotated via the knob (102) to a default operating position defined between the first operating position and the second operating position, wherein in the default operating position, the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) engages with grooves (402-3) of the detent-profile (106-1) of the housing (106).

8. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in any of claims 5 and 7, wherein:
the knob (102) is rotated in an anticlockwise direction, by applying a force, from the default operating position to move the rotatable member (108) to the first operating position, and
the knob (102) is rotated in a clockwise direction, by applying the force, from the default operating position to move the rotatable member (108) to the second operating position, the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) slides on the contact surfaces (402-2a, 402-2b) of the detent-profile (106-1) and move away from the grooves (402-1) of the detent-profile (106-1) to momentarily operates one of the pair of micro switches (112-1, 112-2) in the second operating position,
wherein in the second operating position, when the force is withdrawn from the knob (102) the plurality of extending spokes (108-3, 108-4) slide on the contact surfaces (402-2a, 402-2b) of the detent-profile (106-1) towards the grooves (402-1) in a manner that the rotatable member (108) along with the knob (102) moves to the default operating position.

9. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first spoke (108-3) comprises an actuating portion (602) having a pair of ribs (602-1, 602-2) adapted to actuate the pair of micro-switches (112-1, 112-2) based on the rotation of the knob (102).

10. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member (110) of the switch assembly (109) comprises a first slot adapted to accommodate a first micro-switch (112-1) from among the pair of micro-switches and a second slot adapted to accommodate a second micro-switch (112-2) from among the pair of micro-switches.

11. The improved rotary-switch (100) as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a gasket member (116) disposed below each of the first micro-switch (112-1) and the second micro-switch (112-2), wherein the gasket member (116) is sandwiched between the pair of micro-switches (112-1, 112-2) and the cover member (110).