FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to control switches for automobiles such as two
wheelers and three-wheelers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
waterproof low ampere turn indicator (i.e. blinker) switch with a push cancellation
feature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, vehicles are provided with various control switches for providing safe
driving to the rider as well as to the other riders. One such important control switch is
the turn indicator switch (interchangeably referred to as blinker switch or winker switch
or indicator switch) that signals the other riders of the direction in which the vehicle
will be moving. Especially, during the night time, if the turn indicator switch fails to
work, then accidents might happen.
Existing blinker switches include a lever knob which is pivotally mounted in the
blinker switch and one end of the lever knob is supported on a spring loaded ball. The
said one end of the lever knob is provided with a curved geometry such that if the
lever is actuated about its pivotal connections with the blinker switch in either left or
in right directions it tends to come back in its original/neutral position when the
actuation force is removed.
The disadvantages of the existing switches are as follows:
(a) Current leakage and corrosion over terminals due to water entering.
(b) Components are large in number which makes the switch less reliable and
increases assembly time.
Therefore, there exists a need to develop a blinker switch which addresses at least one
of the above mentioned problems of existing switches.
3
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A switch assembly comprising a cover, a housing accommodating a pair of micro
switches and an indentation surface defining plurality of positions i.e. a neutral
position, a first position, a second position opposite to the first position. A knob subassembly
comprising an elongated lever extending longitudinally having a proximal
end and a distal end. The knob is secured to the distal end of the lever. A spring
loaded second ball provided at the proximal end of the lever, being supported on a
generally V-shape profile provided in the cover. The knob assembly is mounted in the
housing so that the lever is movable pivotally and longitudinally upon application of
actuation force on the knob and the carrier subassembly is mounted in the housing
which comprises a carrier having a first end and a second end, a pair of legs extending
laterally opposite to each other from the second end and a spring loaded first ball
provided at the first end, being supported on the indentation surface of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood
from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures
of the drawings. 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 but not limiting the
scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 illustrates a blinker switch.
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of a blinker switch depicting the essential
components according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the blinker switch according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a carrier sub-assembly of the blinker switch according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
4
Figure 5 shows a knob sub-assembly of the blinker switch according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 depicts the neutral position of the blinker switch according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
Figure 7(i) -7(iii) illustrates the movement of the carrier in the blinker switch of the
present invention when actuation force is applied on one side of the knob according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a return mechanism of the blinker module when the first steel ball
and the second steel ball return to their original position according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and
will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not
intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling with in
the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Before describing in detail the various embodiments of the present invention it may
be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present
invention resides in the construction of switch assembly. It is to be noted that a person
skilled in the art can be motivated from the present invention and modify the various
constructions of switch assembly. However, such modification should be construed
within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent
to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having benefit of the description herein.
5
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, mechanism,
setup, that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but
may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such assembly,
mechanism or setup. In other words, one or more elements in turn indicator control
switch or assembly proceeded by “comprises” does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or
mechanism. The following paragraphs explain present invention and the same may be
deduced accordingly.
Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one of the
problem associated with the prior existing switches.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a switch assembly, comprising;
a cover;
a housing accommodating;
a pair of micro switches; and
an indentation surface defining plurality of positions a neutral position, a first
position, a second position opposite to the first position;
a knob sub-assembly comprising;
an elongated lever extending longitudinally, having a proximal end and a distal end;
a knob secured to the distal end of the lever;
a spring loaded second ball provided at the proximal end of the lever,
being supported on a generally V-shape profile provided in the cover;
the knob assembly is mounted in the housing so that the lever is movable
pivotally and longitudinally upon application of actuation force on the knob;
and the carrier subassembly is mounted in the housing;
a carrier sub-assembly comprising;
6
a carrier having:
a first end and a second end;
a pair of legs extending laterally opposite to each other from the
second end;
a spring loaded first ball provided at the first end, being supported on the
indentation surface of the housing;
the carrier sub assembly is mounted in the housing so that the carrier being
movable pivotally between the first position and the second position, upon
pivotal movement of the knob sub-assembly;
movable from the first or second position towards neutral position upon
longitudinal movement of the knob sub-assembly.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end of the lever is configured
to accommodate the spring loaded second ball.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a pivot pin to
pivotally secure the carrier sub-assembly and the knob sub-assembly with the
housing.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the lever is provided with a cam
follower having an oblong or an elliptical profile.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the lever is provided with a cam
follower having an oblong or an elliptical profile.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cam profile and the cam
follower are configured to cooperate with each other so that the carrier is;
movable pivotally between the first position and the second position, upon
pivotal movement of the knob sub-assembly;
movable from the first or second position towards neutral position upon
longitudinal movement of the knob sub-assembly.
7
In a further more embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is provided with a
cam profile operationally engageable with the cam follower.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the lever, upon moving towards
the first position or second position direction from the neutral position, travels a
predetermined angular distance prior to coming in contact with a face of the cam
profile.
In one more embodiment of the present invention, the indentation surface consists of
three slots defining a neutral position, a first position, a second position.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the movement of lever is
restricted by a predetermined angle in a direction perpendicular to the left and right
movement via the slots formed on the indentation surface.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a turn indicator (or blinker)
switch with micro switch assembly. Another object of the present invention is to
provide a turn indicator (or blinker) switch with micro switch assembly which
overcomes at least one of the problems of existing switches.
The following paragraph describes the switch assembly of the present invention.
The following switch assembly of the present invention can be implemented as
blinker switch of automobile for purpose of activating blinker or turn indicator for an
automobile. Figures 1-8 describes the switch assembly of the present invention when
the switch assembly is configures as a blinker switch. However, such description
should not be construed in a limiting sense. The mechanism of the present switch
assembly may be configured to perform any other function as well. Any such
configuration would fall within the scope of the present invention.
Referring to Figures 1-3 the switch assembly (1) of the present invention comprises a
housing (3) forming an encapsulation with a cover (2) in the mounted condition for
accommodating various components of the switch assembly such as a knob sub
assembly (5), a carrier sub assembly (6), and a pair of micro switches (M). Micro
switches (M) are low ampere electric switches which are actuated by very little
8
physical force, through the use of a tipping-point mechanism. Switching happens
reliably at specific and repeatable positions of the actuator, which is not necessarily
true of other mechanisms. They are very common due to their low cost and durability,
greater than 1 million cycles and up to 10 million cycles for heavy duty models.
As shown in Figure 2, the housing (3) accommodates a pair of micro switches (M)
and an indentation surface (7) defining a plurality of positions i.e. a first position (7a),
a second position (7b) opposite to the first position and a neutral position (7c).
As shown in Figure 4, the carrier sub assembly (6) comprises of a carrier (8), a cam
profile (9), a carrier spring (10), a first steel ball (B1) and a pair of carrier legs (L).
The carrier (8) has a first end and a second end and a pair of legs (L) each of which
extending laterally in opposite directions from the second end for actuation of micro
switch (M). The carrier legs (L) on either side form contact with the micro switches
(M) and actuate the same to complete the electrical circuit. The carrier (8) also has a
circular shaped cavity (11) which merges into a pivot pin (12) provided in the housing
(3) to pivotally couple the carrier sub assembly (6) with the housing (3).
The first steel ball (B1) is accommodated in a recess (R) formed in the carrier sub
assembly (6) under a force of the spring (10). The carrier sub assembly (6) is disposed
within the housing (3) with spring loaded ball (B1) supported on the indentation
surface (7) formed in the housing (3). The indentation surface (7) is formed to retain
the spring loaded ball (B1) of the carrier sub assembly (6) in the neutral (7c), first (7a)
and second position (7b) where the first position (7a) and the second position (7b) is
left and right of the neutral position (7c) respectively.
The carrier sub assembly (6) is mounted in the housing (3) so that the carrier (8) being
movable pivotally between the first position (7a) and the second position (7b), upon
pivotal movement of the knob sub assembly (5) and is movable from the first (7a) or
second position (7b) towards neutral position (7c) upon longitudinal movement of the
knob sub assembly (5).
Referring to Figure 5, the knob sub assembly (5) comprises of a knob (4), an
elongated lever (13) extending longitudinally, a cam follower (14), a knob spring (15)
9
and a second steel ball (B2). The elongated lever (13) has a proximal end (13a) and a
distal end (13b) wherein the knob (4) is secured to the distal end (13b) of the lever
(13). The proximal end (13a) of the lever (13) has a split end thereby forming a fork
shaped end (16). The fork shaped end (16) accommodates the second spring loaded
ball (B2) which is supported on a V-shaped profile. Also, the V-shaped profile allows
the longitudinal movement of the knob (4). The term longitudinal herein refers to a
direction perpendicular to the axis A-A in the same plane and perpendicular to the
direction of the pivotal movement of the knob (4). The spring loaded second steel ball
(B2) is provided at the proximal end (13a) of the lever (13), being supported on a
generally V-shaped profile provided in the cover (2). The V-shaped profile is
provided in the cover (2) so as to bias the knob (4) to board a neutral position (7c)
while allowing movement of the knob (4) towards left and right from the neutral
position (7c).
The knob sub assembly (5) is mounted in the housing (3) so that the lever (13) is
movable pivotally and longitudinally upon application of actuation force on the knob
(4). When the knob (4) is pressed to actuate its longitudinal movement, the second
spring loaded ball (B2) on which the knob (4) is supported on the said V shape groove
moves inside the said fork shaped end (16) of the knob support.
The cam profile (9) in the carrier (8) is in the form of a hole (H) which has
substantially a pentagonal shape. The cam follower (14) is in the form of a projection
provided in the lever (13) of the knob sub-assembly (5). The said projection has
substantially elliptical cross section or an oblong cross-section. The hole (H) and the
protrusion are configured to cooperate with each other to move the carrier (8) between
the first (7a), second (7b) and neutral (7c) positions, upon pivotal movement of the
knob sub-assembly (5) and is movable from the first (7a) or second position (7b)
towards neutral position (7c) upon longitudinal movement of the knob sub-assembly
(5). The oblong or elliptical profile of the protrusion touches the inner walls of the
hole (H) to move the carrier (8) on the indentation surface (7) between first (7a),
second (7b) and neutral (7c) positions.
10
The pivot pin (12) pivotally secures the carrier sub assembly (6) and the knob sub
assembly (5) with the housing (3).
Figure 6 shows the switch assembly (1) when the knob (4) is in the neutral position
(7c). There is no actuation force applied on the knob (4) thereby, no micro switch (M)
is in operating/ actuated condition and accordingly no electrical circuit is formed.
Figures 7(i)-7(iii) shows movement of knob sub-assembly (5) and the carrier subassembly
(6). As shown in Figures 7(i)-7(iii) when the actuation force is applied on
the knob (4) the second spring loaded ball (B2) which supports the carrier subassembly
(6) moves on the indentation surface (7) when the lever support pivots about
the bracket either left or right, the ball runs over the said indentation surfaces (7).
WORKING - OFF POSITION TO ON POSITION
Referring to Figure 7(i)-7(iii), when a force is applied on the knob (4) by the user, the
lever (13) will start to travel in the direction opposite to the direction of application of
force. After a travel of X degrees by the lever (13) on either side by the knob (4), the
protrusion in the lever (13) will start touching the wall/peripheral edge of the hole (H)
within the carrier (8). The knob (4) can travel beyond zero degrees angle and up to Y
degree angle (Y > X) with increasing force on it. The protrusion of the lever (13) thus
moves the carrier (8) to shift from one position to another on the indentation surface
(7). In this process, the carrier leg (L) presses the respective micro-switch (M) on
either side at the said operating angle. The micro-switch (M) triggers the respective
blinker through the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) present in the vehicle. The housing
(3) of the present switch assembly (1) also comprises of a stopper (17) required to
restrict the movement of carrier (8) beyond the said maximum value (Y) of the knob
(4) travel. When one of the operating leg in the carrier (8) operates the micro-switch
(M), the other leg stops due to restriction by the stopper (17) in the said housing (3).
The said restriction will limit the over-pressing of the working micro-switch (M).
When actuation force from the knob (4) is removed, the resiliently loaded second steel
ball (B2) travels in the V-shaped profile of the cover (2) under the action of knob
spring (15). Thus, the first steel ball (B1) of the carrier sub-assembly (6) applies
11
resilient force on the cam profile (9) and the cam follower (14) slides on surface (a,b)
of the hole(H). Due to the angular disposition of surfaces (a,b) with respect to each
other the cam follower (14) experiences an angular force thereby guiding the lever
(13) and the knob (4) to the neutral position (7c).
WORKING - ON POSITION TO OFF POSITION
Referring to Figure 8, in the actuated condition when the force is applied to the knob
in perpendicular direction, the protrusion of the knob pushes against the inclined
edges (a,b) of the pentagonal shaped hole (H) of the said cam profile. The value of the
applied force to the follower overcomes the carrier spring force resulting to which the
carrier jumps into the initial groove of the cover. This results in carrier leg releasing
the micro-switch, thereby cancelling the blinking of the indicator.
Advantages of the present invention:
(a) low ampere switching
(b) reduction in assembly time
(c) well protected by dust and water
(d) high reliability and life cycle
(e) no current leakage
(f) current flow path has been shortened

We Claim:
1. A switch assembly, comprising;
a cover;
a housing accommodating;
a pair of micro switches; and
an indentation surface defining plurality of positions a neutral
position, a first position, a second position opposite to the first
position;
a knob sub-assembly comprising;
an elongated lever extending longitudinally, having a proximal end and
a distal end;
a knob secured to the distal end of the lever;
a spring loaded second ball provided at the proximal end of the lever,
being supported on a generally V-shape profile provided in the cover;
the knob assembly is mounted in the housing so that the lever is movable
pivotally and longitudinally upon application of actuation force on the knob;
and the carrier subassembly is mounted in the housing;
a carrier sub-assembly comprising;
a carrier having:
a first end and a second end;
a pair of legs extending laterally opposite to each other from the
second end;
a spring loaded first ball provided at the first end, being supported on the
indentation surface of the housing;
the carrier sub assembly is mounted in the housing so that the carrier being
13
movable pivotally between the first position and the second position, upon
pivotal movement of the knob sub-assembly;
movable from the first or second position towards neutral position upon
longitudinal movement of the knob sub-assembly.
2. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the
lever is configured to accommodate the spring loaded second ball.
3. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has a pivot pin
to pivotally secure the carrier sub-assembly and the knob sub-assembly with
the housing.
4. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the carrier is
provided with a recess for accommodating a spring loaded first ball.
5. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever is provided with a
cam follower having an oblong or an elliptical profile.
6. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam profile and the cam
follower are configured to cooperate with each other so that the carrier is;
movable pivotally between the first position and the second position, upon
pivotal movement of the knob sub-assembly;
movable from the first or second position towards neutral position upon
longitudinal movement of the knob sub-assembly.
7. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the carrier is provided with
a cam profile operationally engageable with the cam follower.
8. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever, upon moving
towards the first position or second position direction from the neutral
position, travels a predetermined angular distance prior to coming in contact
with a face of the cam profile.
14
9. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indentation surface
consists of three slots defining a neutral position, a first position, a second
position.
10. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of lever is
restricted by a predetermined angle in a direction perpendicular to the left and
right movement via the slots formed on the indentation surface.