Field of the Invention:
The present disclosure relates to an automobile switch. More particularly the present
disclosure relates to a push button switch which is configured to operate at different levels of
current flow including, ultra-low level of current flow. The push button switch is particularly
configured as a clutch switch or as a brake switch.
Description of the Prior Art:
A push button switch is generally used in an automobile as a clutch switch or as a brake
switch. However, the construction of the conventional push button switch that is used as a
clutch switch or a brake switch is such that they are not fit to operate at ultra-low level of
current flow. Thus, there exists a need to provide a push button switch which is configured to
operate at different levels of current flow including, ultra-low level of current flow for use as
a clutch switch or as a brake switch in automobiles.
Applicant’s co-pending application No. 201811004166 discloses a push button switch,
comprising: a body defining a first open end and a second open end opposing the first open
end; a base adapted to close the second open end of the body; a plunger adapted to exhibit
movement with respect to the base; a resilient member adapted to apply a restoring force on
the plunger; the plunger defining a plunger first end and a plunger second end with the
plunger second end opposing the plunger first end; the plunger second end being provided
with a pair of plunger arms; the pair of plunger arms being adapted to receive a pair of
moving contact terminals; the base defining an inner surface locatable inside the body; the
inner surface being provided with a pair of base arms; the pair of base arms being adapted to
face the pair of plunger arms; the pair of base arms being adapted to receive a pair of fixed
contact terminals; the pair of moving contact terminals being adapted to selectively come in
contact with the pair of fixed contact terminals to define a current flow path through the push
button switch.
It has been observed that while the push button switch as described in co-pending application
No. 201811004166 provides the desired functioning, the assembling of the device
complicated and time consuming. Also, the costing of production of the product is marginally
on the higher side. Therefore, there has been felt a need to provide an alternative construction
of the push button switch that addresses one or more of the aforesaid disadvantages.
3
Summary of the Invention:
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are
further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither
intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended
for determining the scope of the invention.
In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides a push button switch
comprising a body defining a first open end and a second open end opposing the first open
end. The push button switch further comprises a base adapted to close the second open end
of the body. The push button switch further comprises plunger is adapted to exhibit
movement with respect to the base. The push button switch further comprises a resilient
member adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger. The plunger defines a first end and
a second end opposing the first end. The second end of the plunger is adapted to receive a
pair of moving contact terminals. The base defines an inner surface locatable inside the body.
The inner surface is provided with a pillar facing the plunger. The pillar is adapted to receive
a pair of fixed contact terminals. The pair of moving contact terminals is adapted to
selectively come in contact with the pair of fixed contact terminals to define a current flow
path through the push button switch.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference
will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the
accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally
similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed
description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further
illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with
the present invention where:
4
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of the push button switch in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded-sectional view of the push button switch in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the push button switch in an assembled state with the
switch being in ON position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the push button switch in an assembled state with the
switch being in OFF position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
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
device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be
restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
5
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device that comprises a list of steps does not include only
those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or
method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention
belongs. The device, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Referring to Figure 1 which is an exploded view of the push button switch (100) and Figure
2, which is an exploded-sectional view of the push button switch in an assembled state, the
push button switch (100) comprises a body (102). The body (102) defines a first open end
(104) and a second open end (106) opposing the first open end (104).
The push button switch (100) further comprises a base (108) adapted to close the second open
end (106) of the body (102). The push button switch (100) further comprises plunger (110)
adapted to exhibit movement with respect to the base (108). The push button switch further
comprises a resilient member (112) adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger (110).
The plunger (110) defines a plunger first end (114) and a plunger second end (116). The
plunger (110) is accommodated within the body (102). The plunger (110) is adapted to
receive a pair of moving contact terminals (118, 120).
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The base (108) defines an inner surface (122) locatable inside the body (102). The inner
surface (122) is provided with a pillar (124). The pillar (124) faces the plunger (110). The
pillar (124) is adapted to receive a pair of fixed contact terminals (126; 128). The pair of
moving contact terminals (118; 120) is adapted to selectively come in contact with the pair of
fixed contact terminals (126; 128) to define a current flow path through the push button
switch (100).
In an embodiment, the plunger second end (116) is further provided with a first groove (130).
The first groove (130) surrounds the pair of mobbing contact terminals (118). The first
groove (130) is adapted to receive a first end (132) of the resilient member (112).
In an embodiment, the inner surface (122) of the base (108) is further provided with a second
groove (134). The second groove (134) surrounds the pillar (124). The second groove (134)
faces the first groove (130) as provided in the plunger second end (116). The second groove
(134) is adapted to receive a second end (136) of the resilient member (112).
In an embodiment, the push button switch (100) further comprises a grommet (138) adapted
to be received by the first end (104) of the body (102).
In an embodiment, the pair of moving contact terminals (118; 120) includes a first moving
contact terminal (118) and a second moving contact terminal (120). The first moving contact
terminal (118) defines a first contacting end (140) and a second end (142) opposing the first
contacting end (140). Likewise, the second moving contact terminal (120) defines a first
contacting end (144) and a second end (146) opposing the first end (144). The second end
(142) of the first moving contact terminal (118) is electrically shorted with the second end
(146) of the second moving contact terminal (120).
In an embodiment, the pair of moving contact terminals (118; 120) includes a “U” shaped
element (148). The “U” shaped element defines a first arm portion (150), a second arm
portion (152) and a shoulder portion (154) provided between the first arm portion (150) and
the second arm portion (152). The first arm portion (150) defines the first contacting end
(140). Likewise, the second arm portion (152) defines the first contacting end (144).
In an embodiment, the pair of fixed contact terminals (126; 128) includes a first fixed contact
terminal (126) and a second fixed contact terminal (128). The first fixed contact terminal
(126) defines a first contacting end (156), a second end (158) opposing the first contacting
7
end (156), and an intermediate portion (160). Likewise, the second fixed contact terminal
(128) defines a first contacting end (162), a second end (164) opposing the first contacting
end (162), and an intermediate portion (166). The second end (158) of the first fixed contact
terminal (126) is adapted to be connected to external wiring and likewise, the second end
(164) of the second fixed contact terminal (128) is adapted to be connected to the external
wiring.
In an embodiment, the first contacting end (156) of the first fixed contact terminal (126) is
disposed on an external surface of the pillar (124) and likewise, the first contacting end (162)
of the second fixed contacting terminal (128) is disposed on an external surface of the pillar
(124). The second end (158) of the fixed contact terminal (126) is adapted to be connected to
external wiring and likewise, the second end (164) of the second contact terminal (128) is
adapted to be connected to external wiring. The intermediate portion (160) of the first fixed
contact terminal (126) is embedded within the pillar (124) and likewise, the intermediate
portion (166) of the second fixed contact terminal is embedded within the pillar (124).
In an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate portion (160) of the first fixed contact
terminal (126) is provided with apertures and the intermediate portion (166) of the second
fixed contact terminal (128) is provided with apertures.
Referring to Figure 3, in an embodiment, the first contacting end (140) of the first moving
contact terminal (118) is adapted to selectively come in contact with first contacting end
(156) of the first fixed contact terminal (126) and likewise, the first contacting end (144) of
the second moving contact terminal (120) is adapted to selectively come in contact with first
contacting end (162) of the second fixed contact terminal (128) to define a current flow path
through the push button switch.
Referring to Figure 4, in an embodiment, the first contacting end (140) of the first moving
contact terminal (118) is adapted to selectively come in contact with the pillar (124) and
likewise, the first contacting end (144) of the second moving contact terminal (120) is
adapted to selectively come in contact with the pillar (120) to define an electrically nonconducting
state of the push button switch.
Applicant has observed that, it is possible to produce by metal-plastic insert moulding process
the plunger (124) with the pair of moving contact terminals (118; 120). Even the first groove
8
(130) can be formed in the plunger second end (116) during the metal-plastic insert moulding
process. Likewise, it is possible to produce by metal-plastic insert moulding process the base
(108) with the pillar (124), the pair of fixed contact terminals (126; 128) and the second
groove (134) surrounding the pillar (124). Thus, the total number of parts being used reduces.
This leads to cost reduction as well reduction in the time of assembling.
Since first groove (130) surrounds the pair of moving contact terminals (118; 120) and the
second groove (134) surrounds the pillar (124), the complexity in assembling the resilient
member (112) reduces substantially and hence, the time period also reduces.
Since the intermediate portions (160; 166) of the first and the second fixed contact terminals
(126; 128) are embedded within the pillar, the performance characteristics in terms of ultralow
level of current flow are improved.
Thus, the push button switch (100) whose construction is as per the present invention can be
produced easily produced. Other factors such as time consumed for production and the cost
of the product are also lesser. Even performance characteristic in terms of ultra-low level of
current flow is improved.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive
concept as taught herein.
The 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.
The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous
variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in
structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least
as broad as given by the following claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A push button switch (100), comprising:
a body (102) defining a first open end (104) and a second open end (106) opposing
the first open end (104);
a base (108) adapted to close the second open end (106) of the body (102);
a plunger (110) adapted to exhibit movement with respect to the base (108);
a resilient member (112) adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger (110);
the plunger (110) defining a plunger first end (114) and a plunger second end (116)
with the plunger second end (116) opposing the plunger first end (114);
the plunger second end (116) being adapted to receive a pair of moving contact
terminals (118; 120);
the base (108) defining an inner surface (122) locatable inside the body (102);
the inner surface (122) being provided with a pillar (124) facing the plunger (110);
the pillar (124) being adapted to receive a pair of fixed contact terminals (126; 128);
the pair of moving contact terminals (118; 120) being adapted to selectively come in
contact with the pair of fixed contact terminals (126; 128) to define a current flow
path through the push button switch (100).
2. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger second end (116)
is further provided with a first groove (130) surrounding the pair of moving contact
terminals (118; 120), the first groove (130) being adapted to receive a first end (132)
of the resilient member (112).
3. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner
surface (122) of the base (108) is further provided with a second groove (134)
surrounding the pillar (124), the second groove (134) facing the first groove (130) as
provided in the plunger second end (116), with the second groove (134) being adapted
to receive a second end (136) of the resilient member (112).
4. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push button switch further
comprises a grommet (138) adapted to be received by the first end (104) of the body
(102).
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5. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of moving contact
terminals (118; 120) includes a first moving contact terminal (118) and a second
moving contact terminal (120); the first moving contact terminal (118) defining a first
contacting end (140) and a second end (142) opposing the first contacting end (140);
the second moving contact terminal (120) defining a first contacting end (144) and a
second end (146) opposing the first contacting end (143); the second end (142) of the
first moving contact terminal (118) being electrically shorted with the second end
(146) of the second moving contact terminal (120).
6. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of moving contact
terminals (118; 120) includes a “U” shaped element (148) defined by a first arm
portion (150), a second arm portion (152) opposing the first arm portion (150), and a
shoulder portion (154) provided between the first arm portion (150) and the second
arm portion (152); the first arm portion (150) defining a first contacting end (140);
and the second arm portion (152) defining a first contacting end (144).
7. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pair of
fixed contact terminals (126; 128) includes a first fixed contact terminal (126) and a
second fixed contact terminal (128); the first fixed contact terminal (126) defining a
first contacting end (156), a second end (158) opposing the first contacting end (156)
and an intermediate portion (160); the second fixed contact terminal (128) defining a
first contacting end (162), a second end (164) opposing the first contacting end (162),
and an intermediate portion (166).
8. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
contacting ends (156; 162) of the first and the second fixed contact terminals (126;
128) are disposed on an external surface of the pillar (124); the second ends (158;
164) of the first and the second fixed contact terminals (126; 128) are adapted to be
connected to external wirings; and the intermediate portions (160; 166) of the first and
the second fixed contact terminals (126; 128) are embedded within the pillar (124).
9. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
contacting end (140) of the first moving contact terminal (118) is adapted to
selectively come in contact with first contacting end (156) of the first fixed contact
terminal (126) and likewise, the first contacting end (144) of the second moving
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contact terminal (120) is adapted to selectively come in contact with first contacting
end (162) of the second fixed contact terminal (128) to define a current flow path
through the push button switch.
10. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
contacting end (140) of the first moving contact terminal (118) is adapted to
selectively come in contact with the pillar (124) and likewise, the first contacting end
(144) of the second moving contact terminal (120) is adapted to selectively come in
contact with the pillar (120) to define an electrically non-conducting state of the push
button switch.