CLIAMS:1. A switch 100 comprising:
a rocker assembly 300 comprising a rocker 304, a slider 302 operatively coupled with the rocker 304 and kept in position by means of one or more springs 306; and
a toggle assembly 600 that is operatively coupled with the rocker assembly 300 and comprises a toggle 602 and a spring loaded plunger 604 that is hinged on a hinge plate 606, wherein the rocker assembly 300 is configured on the hinge plate 606 that is in turn configured on a bottom housing 500 that houses a fixed contact 502 and a moving contact 504 such that when the rocker 304 is pushed, the slider 302 slides on slope of the toggle 602 to compress at least one of said one or more springs 306 and make the spring loaded plunger 604 to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition, making the moving contact 504 to move down and press against the fixed contact 502 to complete and close the circuit in ON condition.
2. The switch of claim 1, wherein for OFF condition, the rocker 304 is pushed to enable the slider 302 to slide on a second slope of the toggle 602 to compress the springs 306 simultaneously and make the spring loaded plunger 604 to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition, making the moving contact 504 to move up and away from the fixed contact 502 to open the circuit in OFF condition.
3. The switch of claim 1, wherein the switch remains flat and does not protrude outwards.
4. The switch of claim 1, wherein the switch is mounted on a modular plate 200.
5. The switch of claim 1, wherein the rocker assembly 300 is vertically guided by a sheet 308.
6. The switch of claim 1, wherein in ON position, the fixed contact(s) 502 and the moving contact(s) 504 are pressed against each other, and wherein in OFF position, the fixed contact(s) 502 and the moving contact(s) 504 are not pressed against each other.
7. The switch of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a cover 400 to enable the rocker assembly 300, the cover 400, and the bottom housing 500 to be encapsulated within each other to form outer core of the switch.
8. The switch of claim 1, wherein for achieving the ON position, after a threshold of pushing is achieved, the toggle 602 that is hinged with the hinge plate 606 crosses the toggle point, making the spring loaded plunger 604 to achieve a stable state.
9. The switch of claim 1, wherein in ON position, the toggle 602 is stopped by the hinge plate 606 from further motion and maintaining adequate pressure, and wherein the slider 302 is brought back to its position by the springs 306 as the user removes force applied on the switch.
10. The switch of claim 1, wherein in OFF position, the toggle 602 is stopped by the hinge plate 606 from moving further, and wherein the slider 302 is brought back to its position by the springs 306 as the user removes force applied on the switch.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to switches majorly used for final distribution of electricity at standard distribution rating of 240V- 20A in applications of switching ON/OFF appliances. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to flat switches that stay flushed and are unidirectional in operations effectively being used to make and break current supply along with providing aesthetical essence to the end user.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Existing switches can be one-way type switches and two-way type switches that are designed to fit in standardized module sizes on back plates. Wall switches and their cover plates are available in a range of sizes, types and designs. Typically, these switches are mounted onto walls for easy access to those devices connected to an electrical source. Such mounting is achieved by running power lines to utility boxes mounted to wall structures adjacent to the wall surface. Such boxes are then available for receiving electric switches, typically of the toggle type, whereby the switches are mechanically mounted to the box and wired to the power lines. The switch and utility box with its wires are then covered by a wall mounted cover plate, generally ivory colored, with occasionally an optional dark brown or white in color, having two circular holes for locating two threaded screws and a centrally located rectangular slot to accommodate a toggle bat. A major drawback to these cover plates has been the lack of any pleasing aesthetics to the device.
[0004] With progressive increase of aesthetics in architecture, home flush switches form a variant of switches that do not protrude out of the wall. However, with increased usage in rustic environments of dust and pollution, increased ingress protection is needed on the switches.
[0005] There is therefore a need in the art for an improved flat switch architecture/configuration and improved ingress protection.
[0006] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0007] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0008] 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.
[0009] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 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.
[0010] 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.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that can suffice to flush form of the switches on the specified mechanical life.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide asymmetric toggle actuation mechanism based on differential sliding.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide added aesthetic feature by means of an asymmetric toggle mechanism with differential sliding to perform unidirectional switching action that ensures that the switch remains flush or flat across its operations.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide ingress protection.

SUMMARY
[0015] The present disclosure relates to switches majorly used for final distribution of electricity at standard distribution rating of 240V- 20A in applications of switching ON/OFF appliances. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to flat switches that stay flushed and are unidirectional in operations effectively being used to make and break current supply along with providing aesthetical essence to the end user.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a switch including a rocker assembly comprising a rocker, a slider operatively coupled with the rocker and kept in position by means of one or more springs. The switch can further include a toggle assembly that is operatively coupled with the rocker assembly and comprises a toggle and a spring loaded plunger that is hinged on a hinge plate, wherein the rocker assembly can be configured on the hinge plate that is in turn configured on a bottom housing that houses a fixed contact and a moving contact such that when the rocker is pushed by a user, the slider slides on slope of the toggle to compress the one or more springs and makes the spring loaded plunger to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition. Thus making the moving contact to move to press against the fixed contact to complete the circuit in ON condition.
[0017] In an aspect, for OFF condition, the rocker can be again pushed by the user to enable the slider to slide on a second slope of the toggle to compress the one or more springs and makes the spring loaded plunger to contract till the dead centre and further expand till the stable condition making the moving contact to go up and away from the fixed contact to open the circuit.
[0018] According to another embodiment, the switch can be flat and does not protrude outwards. The switch can further be mounted on a modular plate. In another embodiment, the switch can include a cover to enable the rocker assembly, the cover, and the bottom housing to be encapsulated within each other to form outer core of the switch.
[0019] According to another embodiment, the rocker assembly can be vertically guided by a sheet.
[0020] In an implementation, when in ON position, the fixed contact(s) and the moving contact(s) are pressed against each other, and when in OFF position, the fixed contact(s) and the moving contact(s) are not pressed against each other. In another aspect, for achieving the ON position, after a threshold of pushing is achieved, the toggle that is hinged with the hinge plate crosses the toggle point, making the spring loaded plunger to achieve a stable state. Furthermore, when in ON position, the toggle can be stopped by the hinge plate from further motion and adequate pressure can be maintained, and the construction of the hinge plate enables a stopper for the toggle from further motion. The slider is brought back into position by means of the springs. Similarly, when in OFF position, the toggle can be stopped by the hinge plate from moving further, and wherein the slider can be brought back to its position by the springs as the user removes force applied on the switch.
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary representation of the proposed switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates yet another exemplary representation of the proposed switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed rocker assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed toggle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary cross-sectional view of the switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary cross-sectional view of the switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0032] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a switch including a rocker assembly comprising a rocker, a slider operatively coupled with the rocker and kept in position by means of one or more springs. The switch can further include a toggle assembly that is operatively coupled with the rocker assembly and comprises a toggle and a spring loaded plunger that is hinged on a hinge plate, wherein the rocker assembly can be configured on the hinge plate that is in turn configured on a bottom housing that houses a fixed contact and a moving contact such that when the rocker is pushed by a user, the slider slides on slope of the toggle to compress the one or more springs and makes the spring loaded plunger to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition. Thus making the moving contact to move to press against the fixed contact to complete the circuit in ON condition.
[0034] In an aspect, for OFF condition, the rocker can be again pushed by the user to enable the slider to slide on a second slope of the toggle to compress the springs simultaneously makes the spring loaded plunger to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition. Thus, making the moving contact to go up and away from the fixed contact to open the circuit.
[0035] According to another embodiment, the switch can be flat and does not protrude outwards. The switch can further be mounted on a modular plate. In another embodiment, the switch can include a cover to enable the rocker assembly, the cover, and the bottom housing to be encapsulated within each other to form outer core of the switch.
[0036] According to another embodiment, the rocker assembly can be vertically guided by a sheet.
[0037] In an implementation, when in ON position, the fixed contact(s) and the moving contact(s) are pressed against each other, and when in OFF position, the fixed contact(s) and the moving contact(s) are not pressed against each other. In another aspect, for achieving the ON position, after a threshold of pushing is achieved, the toggle that is hinged with the hinge plate crosses the toggle point, making the spring loaded plunger to achieve a stable state. Furthermore, when in ON position, the toggle can be stopped by the hinge plate from further motion and adequate pressure can be maintained, wherein the slider can be brought back to its position by the springs as the user removes force applied on the switch. Similarly, when in OFF position, the toggle can be stopped by the hinge plate from moving further, and wherein the slider can be brought back to its position by the springs as the user removes force applied on the switch.
[0038] Various embodiments and features shall now be described in detail with reference to drawings.
[0039] With reference to FIGs. 1-6, the present disclosure provides a switch 100 including a rocker assembly 300 comprising a rocker 304, a slider 302 that is operatively coupled with the rocker 304 and kept in position by means of one or more compression springs 306. The switch 100 can further include a toggle assembly 600 that is operatively coupled with the rocker assembly 300 and includes a toggle 602 and a spring loaded plunger 604 that is hinged on a hinge plate 606, wherein the rocker assembly 300 can be configured on the hinge plate 606 that is in turn configured on a bottom housing 500 that houses one or more fixed contact(s) 502 and one or more moving contact(s) 504 such that when the rocker 304 is pushed by a user, the slider 302 slides on slope of the toggle 600 to compress the one or more compression springs 306 and makes the spring loaded plunger 604 to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition. Thus making the moving contact 504 to move down and press against the fixed contact 502 to complete and close the circuit in ON condition.
[0040] In an aspect, for OFF condition, the rocker 304 can be again pushed by the user to enable the slider 302 to slide on a second slope of the toggle 602 to compress the springs 306 simultaneously and makes the spring loaded plunger 604 to contract till the dead centre and further expand to the stable condition. Thus making the moving contact 504 to move up and away from the fixed contact 502 to open the circuit in OFF condition.
[0041] According to another embodiment, the switch 100 can be flat and does not protrude outwards. The switch 100 can further be mounted on a modular plate 200. In another embodiment, the switch 100 can include a cover 400 to enable the rocker assembly 300, the cover 400, and the bottom housing 500 to be encapsulated within each other to form outer core of the switch 100.
[0042] According to another embodiment, the rocker assembly 300 can be vertically guided by a sheet 308.
[0043] In an implementation, when in ON position, the fixed contact(s) 502 and the moving contact(s) 504 are pressed against each other, and when in OFF position, the fixed contact(s) 502 and the moving contact(s) 504 are not pressed against each other. In another aspect, for achieving the ON position, after a threshold of pushing is achieved, the toggle 602 that is hinged with the hinge plate 606 crosses the toggle point, making the spring loaded plunger 604 to achieve a stable state. Furthermore, when in ON position, the toggle 602 can be stopped by the hinge plate 606 from further motion and adequate pressure can be maintained, wherein the slider 302 can be brought back to its position by the springs 306 as the user removes force applied on the switch 100. Similarly, when in OFF position, the toggle 602 can be stopped by the hinge plate 606 from moving further, and wherein the slider 302 can be brought back to its position by the springs 306 as the user removes force applied on the switch 100.
[0044] To further illustrate, FIGs. 1 and 2 represent the flushed switch assembly 100 mounted on an exemplary six module plate 200. In general operation, the switch 100 can remain flat and not protrude out of the plate 200. In an aspect, the switching operation can be performed by pressing the switch 100 in the bottom, wherein the switch 100 can alternate between the ON/OFF operations. In another aspect, FIG. 3 illustrates a stand-alone flush switch 100 having a rocker assembly 300, a cover 400, and a bottom housing 500 encapsulated within each other to form the outer core of the switch 100.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary configuration/structure of the rocker assembly 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The rocker assembly 300 can be made up of a slider 302 guided within the walls of a rocker 304. The slider 302 can be kept in position by four compression springs 306, and the entire rocker assembly 300 can be vertically guided by a sheet 308.
[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates toggle assembly 600 of the switch 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The toggle assembly 600 can include a toggle 602 and a spring-loaded plunger 604 that can be hinged on a hinge plate 606. FIG. 6 further illustrates a cross sectional view of the switch 100, wherein the rocker assembly 300 can be fixed onto the hinge plate 606, which in turn is further fixed to the bottom housing 500. The bottom housing 500 can also house one or more fixed contacts 502 and one or more moving contacts 504. FIG. 6 also shows the contact open position or OFF position of the switch where the fixed 502 and moving contacts 504 aren’t pressed against each other.
[0047] The concept of asymmetric toggle can be based on the principle that a toggle mechanism is most vulnerable in the axial centre position i.e. at the centre of the spring-loaded plunger 604 where the spring 306 is compressed to the maximum, the spring 306 will try and get to one of the stable states, which will alternatively provide different slopes for the slider 306 to operate on and complete the switching ON/OFF operations.
[0048] In an implementation, when the rocker 304 is operated, i.e. it is pushed, the slider 302 slides on the slope of the toggle 602 moving leftwards and compressing the springs 306 simultaneously pushing the toggle downward. After inherent pushing, the toggle 602 hinged with the hinge plate 606 just crosses the toggle point or dead centre, the spring loaded plunger 604 now has a stable state in the alternate direction.
[0049] The spring loaded plunger 604 can now expand, making the moving contact 504 to move up and it presses against the fixed contact 502, thus completing the circuit and switching ON operation. The toggle 602 can be stopped by the hinge plate 606 from further motion thus maintaining adequate contact pressure. The slider 302 can be brought back to its position by the springs 306 as the user removes the force applied on the switch 100.
[0050] Again, as shown in FIG. 7, if the rocker 304 is pushed, the slider 302 slides on the second slope of the toggle 602 moving rightwards and compressing the springs 306 simultaneously pushing the toggle 602 downward. After inherent pushing, the toggle 602 just crosses the toggle point, the spring loaded plunger 604 now has a stable state in the first direction.
[0051] The spring loaded plunger 604 can now expand, which makes the moving contact 504 go down and it moves away the fixed contact 502, thus opening the circuit and switching OFF. The toggle 602 can be stopped by the hinge plate 606 from moving further. The slider 302 is brought back to its position by the springs 306 as the user removes the force applied on the switch 100.
[0052] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0053] The present disclosure provides a mechanism that can suffice to flush form of the switches on the specified mechanical life.
[0054] The present disclosure provides asymmetric toggle actuation mechanism based on differential sliding.
[0055] The present disclosure provides added aesthetic feature by means of an asymmetric toggle mechanism with differential sliding to perform unidirectional switching action that ensures that the switch remains flush or flat across its operations.
[0056] The present disclosure provides ingress protection.