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.
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 an automobile switch
configured as a brake switch or a clutch switch. The automobile switch comprises a body
defining a first end and a second end, the first end including an aperture and the second end
including an opening. The automobile switch further comprises a base adapted to close the
opening in the second end of the body, the base defining an inner surface locatable inside the
body, the inner surface defining a seat structure. The automobile switch further comprises a
switch received by the seat structure. The automobile switch further comprises a plunger
adapted to traverse through the first end of the body, the plunger defining a plunger first end
adapted to receive an actuating force and a plunger second end adapted to apply a pressure on
the switch in response to the first end receiving the actuating force.
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
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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:
Figure 1 illustrates a semi-transparent view of the automobile switch 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.
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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,
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 a semi-transparent view of the automobile switch (1), the
switch (1) comprises a body (2). The body (2) defines a first end (3) and a second end (4)
opposing the first open end (3). The first end (3) includes an aperture (5) and the second end
including an opening (6).
The automobile switch (1) further comprises a base (7) adapted to close the opening (6) in the
second end (4) of the body (2). In an embodiment, the base (7) defines an inner surface (8)
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locatable inside the body (2). In an embodiment, the inner surface (8) defines a seat structure
(9).
The automobile switch (1) further comprises a switch (10) received by the seat structure (9).
The automobile switch (1) further comprises a plunger (11) adapted to traverse through the
first end (3) of the body (2). The plunger (11) defines a plunger first end (12) adapted to
receive an actuating force and a plunger second end (13) adapted to apply a pressure on the
switch (10) in response to the first end (12) receiving the actuating force.
In an embodiment of the invention, the plunger (11) further defines a shoulder element (14)
located between the plunger first end (12) and the plunger second end (13). The shoulder
element (14) co-operates with the aperture (5) provided on the first end (3) of the body (2) to
provide protection against ingress of water and dust into the body (2) of the switch (1). The
base (7) is sealed in the opening (6) provided in the second end (4) of the body (2) using any
of the known techniques.
The automobile switch may further comprise a resilient member (15) adapted to apply a
restoring force on the plunger. When the actuating force ceases to exist, the second end (13)
ceases to apply pressure on the switch (10) because of the application of the restoring force
by the resilient member (15).
In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member (15) defines a first end (16) adapted
to be in abutting relationship with the shoulder element (14) and a second end adapted to be
held by the base (3).
In an embodiment of the invention, the resilient member (15) is held concentric with respect
to the switch (10) and the plunger (11).
When the actuating force is applied on the first end of the plunder, the switch is brought to a
conducting state, while when the actuating force ceases to exist, because of the application of
the restoring force, the switch is brought to a non-conducting state.
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.
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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. An automobile switch (1) configured as a clutch switch or a brake switch, comprising:
a body (2) defining a first end (3) and a second end (4), the first end (3) including an
aperture (5) and the second end (4) including an opening (6);
a base (7) adapted to close the opening (6) in the second end (4) of the body (2), the
base (7) defining an inner surface (8) locatable inside the body (2), the inner surface
defining a seat structure (9);
a switch (10) received by the seat structure (9); and
a plunger (11) adapted to traverse through the first end (3) of the body (2), the plunger
(11) defining a plunger first end (12) adapted to receive an actuating force and a
plunger second end (13) adapted to apply a pressure on the switch (10) in response to
the first end (12) receiving the actuating force.
2. The automobile switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger (11) further defines
a shoulder element (14) located between the plunger first end (12) and the plunger
second end (13).
3. The automobile switch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a resilient member
(15) adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger.
4. The automobile switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein the resilient member (15)
defines a first end (16) adapted to be in abutting relationship with the shoulder
element (14) and a second end adapted to be held by the base (3).
5. The automobile switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the
resilient member (15) is held concentric with respect to the switch (10) and the
plunger (11).