Field of invention
The present invention relates to a lever combination switch. Particularly, the present invention relates to a contact-less and illumination lever combination switch.
Background of the invention:
Automotive vehicles like cars, trucks and buses come with a variety of electrical systems that perform different functions. Few of these functions which may be switching ON/OFF wiper, washer, mist control, park lights, head lamp, right/left turn indicators, etc. are performed by electrical system operated by lever combination switches.
In conventional type lever combination switches, above functions are achieved with the help of mechanical contacts which activate the function with reference to the lever movement. However, the mechanical contacts may break because of the resistance of corrosion, oxidation and contaminants that may have formed on them. They are also prone to wear and tear and have small life cycle. Thus, there exists a need for contact-less switch system for automotive vehicles that is economical to manufacture, has a high degree of reliability and meets the performance expectations of the end user.
Objects of the present invention:
The main object of the present invention is to provide a contact-less lever combination switch. Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination feature in the lever combination switch.
Summary of the invention:
The present invention provides a Lever Combination Switch. Particularly, the present invention provides a Lever Combination Switch with an illumination feature and wherein the switching mechanism for all functions is contact-less type. The Lever Combination Switch may be used for controlling the light related functions or wiper/washer related functions of the vehicle. The lever has two ends installation end and an operating end. The installation end is located inside a housing and the operating end is at a distal position form the installation end. The operating end may further comprise of a knob

asembly. There is at least one magnet present at an installation end which upon movement of the lever comes close or moves away from a hall sensor; the hall sensor being operatively coupled with the controller of the vehicle. When the magnet comes close to hall sensor the controller receives an input signal from the hall sensor. The controller then sends an output signal so as to activate the desired function. The lever combination switch can have more than one magnets and more than one hall sensors to affect multiple functions.
The lever combination switch is also provided with an illumination feature. The lever has a transparent portion in the form of symbols which illuminate once the desired function is achieved by the lever combination switch.
Brief description of the drawings:
The drawings diagrammatically illustrate by way of example, not by way of limitation,
one form or mechanism for carrying out one method of the invention, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates lever combination switches in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates exploded view of first lever of the lever combination switch according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3(a) and (b) illustrate an internal mechanism detail of housing to which the lever
combination switch is attached according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates switching mechanism for a first lever of the lever combination switch
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrate switching mechanism for lever combination switch in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrate internal diagram showing illumination feature of lever combination
switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates exploded view of second lever of the lever combination switch
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8(a) and (b) illustrate an internal mechanism detail of housing to which the lever
combination switch is attached according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 illustrates switching mechanism for a lever combination switch in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates switching mechanism for a lever combination switch in accordance
with still another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 illustrates switching mechanism for a lever combination switch in accordance
with one more embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates internal diagram showing illumination feature of lever combination
switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Description of the present invention:
The present invention is further described here-below by way of illustration and more particularly, the following paragraphs are provided in order to describe the best mode of working the invention and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation of the claims.
Before describing in detail various embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in the combination of the various elements in the manner described in the claims. Accordingly, the drawings show 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. The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of parts / devices does not include only those parts / devices but may include other parts or devices not expressly listed or inherent to such apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional elements.
In an embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch for vehicular application, said lever combination switch comprising at least one operating lever pivotally connected to the housing; at least one hall sensor unit comprising plurality

of hall sensors operably coupled with a controller of the vehicle; and at least one magnet mounted on an installation end of the operating lever and being received by the housing, the said operating lever being movable with respect to the said housing so as to move the said at least one magnet towards or away from the said at least one hall sensor thereby defining one or more switching event.
In another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the lever comprises at least one transparent portion configured to receive illumination from a light emitting diode (LED); the said light emitting diode being coupled to the controller.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the housing is constructed so as to receive the installation ends of a first and a second operating lever and the said housing comprises a first and a second hall sensor unit.
In still another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the first hall sensor unit comprises a hall sensor located at a first position in a first direction and the magnet mounted on the first operating lever is movable from an initial location corresponding to an OFF state to a first location corresponding to the first position in the first direction defining a first ON state.
In one more embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the first hall sensor unit comprises two hall sensors located at a first and a second position in a second direction and the magnet mounted on the first operating lever is movable from the initial position corresponding to the OFF state to a first, a second and a third location in the second direction to define three ON states, the first location being chosen such that the magnet comes in proximity with only the first hall sensor, the third location being chosen such that the magnet comes in proximity with only the second hall sensor, and the second location being chosen such that the magnet comes in proximity with the first and the second hall sensors.

In another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the first operating lever is pivotally movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and the second direction and the housing comprises a further hall sensor located in the third direction so that movement of the lever in the third direction bring the magnet in the proximity of the said hall sensor so as to define an ON position in the third direction.
In an embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the second lever is pivotally movable in a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction and the second hall sensor unit comprises two hall sensors and each of the two hall sensor is located in the clockwise and the anti-clockwise direction such that two ON positions are defined, one upon clockwise movement of the second lever and one upon anti-clockwise movement of the second lever.
In another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the second operating lever is movable in a forth direction perpendicular to the said clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and the housing comprises a hall sensor located in the forth direction and a further hall sensor located in a direction opposite to the forth direction such that the movement of the operating lever in the forth direction and the direction opposite to the forth direction brings the magnet in proximity of the said hall sensors thereby defining two ON positions.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein a distal end of the second operating lever is provided with a rotate-able knob.
In still another embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein a first, a second and a third hall sensors are circumferentially located on the distal end of the second operating lever and the knob is internally provided with a magnet.

In one more embodiment of the present invention is described a lever combination switch, wherein the knob is mounted on the distal end of the second operating lever such that in an initial position thereof, the magnet located inside the knob is in proximity of the first hall sensor defining an OFF state and in a first rotated state, the magnet located inside the knob is only in proximity of the second hall sensor defining a first ON state and in a second rotated state, the magnet located inside the knob is in proximity of the second and the third hall sensor defining a second ON state.
Now with reference to the drawings shown in Figure-1 to Figure-12, the hardware fabricated according to the concept of present invention, the methodology of implementation and scope of the present invention are now described in detail. This description should not be construed in a limiting sense.
Figure 1 illustrates lever combination switches in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The figure further illustrates various functions performable by the lever combination switch.
Figure 2 illustrates exploded view of first lever of the lever combination switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure is divided into two portions wherein one portion shows an exploded view of the lever and another portion shows the exploded view of the housing. The housing receives the installation end of the lever.
Figure 3(a) and (b) is a sectional view of housing illustrating its internal mechanism in detail. The illustration further explains placement of various components such as magnets, hall sensors, PCB or base on which the hall sensors are mounted. The figure also explains placement of upper cover, lower cover, mechanical assembly and lever. The movement of lever with respect to the housing moves at least one magnet that is present on installation end of the lever towards or away from at least one hall sensor. This movement thereby defines one or more switching event.

Figure 4 illustrates switching mechanism for first lever of the lever combination switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The figure explains various combinations of a magnet with the hall sensors that define various automotive applications. The initial position of the lever is defined by OFF state. The movement of lever in a first direction moves the magnet so as to bring it in close proximity to a hall sensor. This hall sensor on sensing the magnet gives a signal to the controller which further sends a signal to turn 'ON' one of the automotive applications. The lever if moved in opposite direction to the first direction comes in close proximity to another hall sensor, sending a signal to the controller for activating another automotive application. The embodiment further describes a combination of magnet with the hall sensors wherein moving the lever further in opposite direction makes the magnet to come in close proximity to another hall sensor, thus giving a signal to activate another automotive application. The lever has an intermediate position where it is in close proximity of both the magnets thus defining another switching event. Bringing the lever to its initial position will allow the activated automotive applications to deactivate. One such example of using such embodiment of the invention is to switch 'ON' or 'OFF' the wiper and the mist functions.
Figure 5 illustrate switching mechanism for a lever combination switch in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the same lever that was operated in figure 4 is used. Here, the lever is moved in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which it was moved in figure 4. Moving the lever in this direction brings magnet to come in close proximity of yet another hall sensor which defines another switching event. One such example of using such embodiment of the invention is to switch 'ON' or 'OFF' the washer function.
Figure 6 illustrates internal diagram showing illumination feature of lever combination switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lever is provided with at least a transparent portion that has various symbols which indicate various automotive applications. The transparent portion or the symbol reproduce light from light emitting

diode's (LED's) present below them. The light emitting diode (LED) is coupled to the controller. A light guide is used for uniform distribution of light across the symbols.
Figure 7 illustrates exploded view of second lever of the lever combination switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be noticed from the figure the lever comprises of a knob that is provided at a distal end of the lever. Knob further comprises of a transparent symbols, light guide, light emitting diodes (LED's), magnet, hall sensors mounted on base or PCB, mechanical assembly that connects knob with the lever. Housing is also reflected in the figure. The installation end of the lever is connected to this housing. Various parts that the housing may comprise of are shown. These include magnets, hall sensors, case or body, upper and lower covers and mechanical assembly.
Figure 8(a) and (b) is a sectional view of housing illustrating its internal mechanism in detail. The illustration further explains placement of various components such as magnets, hall sensors, PCB or base on which the hall sensors are mounted. The figure also explains placement of upper cover, lower cover, mechanical assembly and lever. The movement of lever with respect to the housing moves at least one magnet towards or away from at least one hall sensor. This movement thereby defines one or more switching event.
Figure 9 illustrates switching mechanism for a lever combination switch in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The figure describes a neutral position 'N' of the lever. Here, movement of lever in clockwise direction with respect to 'N' moves a magnet in the installation end closer to a hall sensor thereby sending a signal to the controller to activate a desired automotive application. Similarly, moving the lever in anticlockwise direction with respect to 'N' causes activation of another automotive application. Bringing the lever back to 'N' will deactivate the desired application as the magnet moves away from the hall sensor. Such a combination of movement of lever combination switch can be used for switching 'ON' and 'OFF' the left and the right turn indication lamps.

Figure 10 illustrates switching mechanism for a lever combination switch in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. Here, instead of moving the lever to affect various combinations of magnet and hall sensors, a knob that is provided on the distal end of the lever is rotated. The magnets are internally provided in the knob. The hall sensors are circumferentially located at the distal end of the lever. At initial position the magnet located inside the knob is in close proximity to one of the hall sensor defining 'OFF' state. Rotating the knob to a first position brings it in close proximity to second hall sensor, indicating first 'ON' state. Rotating the knob further brings it in close proximity to third hall sensor while it also remains in close proximity to the second hall sensor. This location of knob where it is in close proximity to both second and the third hall sensor indicates a second 'ON' state. These two 'ON' states can be used to derive two different automotive applications. Bringing the knob back to its original position that is in contact with the first hall sensor will allow both the automotive applications to become 'OFF'. Such an embodiment of the invention can be used to switch 'ON' parking lights and head lights.
Figure 11 illustrates switching mechanism for second lever of the lever combination switch in accordance with one more embodiment of the present invention. Here the lever is moved in a forth direction and opposite to forth direction perpendicular to the clockwise and the anticlockwise direction that was explained in figure 9. The movement of liver in forth direction and opposite to forth direction will bring the magnet in close proximity to another hall sensors that is located in forth direction and opposite to forth direction. This movement will define another switching event triggering another automotive application. One such example of using such embodiment of the invention is to switch 'ON' or 'OFF' the dimmer or passing function.
Figure 12 illustrates internal diagram showing illumination feature of lever combination switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. It can be noticed from figure 12 which indicated various parts such as magnet mounted on inside of the rotate-able knob, hall sensor mounted on base or the PCB, light emitting diodes (LED's), transparent

symbols on the lever, light guide etc. The transparent portion or the symbol reproduce light from light emitting diode's (LED's) present below them. The light emitting diode (LED) is coupled to the controller. Light guides are used for uniform distribution of light across the symbols.
The present invention is described with reference to the figures and specific embodiments; this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such alternative embodiments form part of the present invention.

We Claim:
1. A lever combination switch for vehicular application, said lever combination
switch comprising:
at least one operating lever pivotally connected to the housing;
at least one hall sensor unit comprising plurality of hall sensors operably coupled with a controller of the vehicle; and
at least one magnet mounted on an installation end of the operating lever and being received by the housing, the said operating lever being movable with respect to the said housing so as to move the said at least one magnet towards or away from the said at least one hall sensor thereby defining one or more switching event.
2. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever comprises at least one transparent portion configured to receive illumination from a light emitting diode (LED); the said light emitting diode (LED) being coupled to the controller.
3. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is
constructed so as to receive the installation ends of a first and a second operating lever and the said housing comprises a first and a second hall sensor unit.
4. A lever combination switch as claimed in any of the previous claim, wherein the first hall sensor unit comprises a hall sensor located at a first position in a first direction and the magnet mounted on the first operating lever is movable from an initial location corresponding to an OFF state to a first location corresponding to the first position in the first direction defining a first ON state.
5. A lever combination switch as claimed in any of the previous claim, wherein the first hall sensor unit comprises two hall sensors located at a first and a second position in a second direction and the magnet mounted on the first operating lever is movable from the initial position corresponding to the OFF state to a first, a
second and a third location in the second direction to define three ON states, the first location being chosen such that the magnet comes in proximity with only the first hall sensor, the third location being chosen such that the magnet comes in proximity with only the second hall sensor, and the second location being chosen such that the magnet comes in proximity with the first and the second hall sensors.
6. A lever combination switch as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
7. A lever combination switch as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the first operating lever is pivotally movable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and the second direction and the housing comprises a further hall sensor located in the third direction so that movement of the lever in the third direction brings the magnet in the proximity of the said hall sensor so as to define an ON position in the third direction.
8. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second lever is pivotally movable in a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction and the second hall sensor unit comprises two hall sensors and each of the two hall sensor is located in the clockwise and the anti-clockwise direction such that two ON positions are defined, one upon clockwise movement of the second lever and one upon anti-clockwise movement of the second lever.
9. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 3 or 8, wherein the second
operating lever is movable in a forth direction perpendicular to the said clockwise
or anti-clockwise direction and the housing comprises a hall sensor located in the
forth direction and a further hall sensor located in a direction opposite to the forth
direction such that the movement of the operating lever in the forth direction and
the direction opposite to the forth direction brings the magnet in proximity of the
said hall sensors thereby defining two ON positions.
10. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 3 or 8 or 9, wherein a distal end of the second operating lever is provided with a rotate-able knob.
11. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 3 or 8 to 10, wherein a first, a second and a third hall sensors are circumferentially located on the distal end of the second operating lever and the knob is internally provided with a magnet.
12. A lever combination switch as claimed in claim 3 or 8 to 11, wherein the knob is mounted on the distal end of the second operating lever such that in an initial position thereof, the magnet located inside the knob is in proximity of the first hall sensor defining an OFF state and in a first rotated state, the magnet located inside the knob is only in proximity of the second hall sensor defining a first ON state and in a second rotated state, the magnet located inside the knob is in proximity of the second and the third hall sensor defining a second ON state.
13. A lever combination switch for vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.