The present subject matter relates to contactless gear transmission switch assembly and
in particular relates to a rocker-switch assembly in automobiles.
BACKGROUND
In a prior art automobile, in which an automatic transmission is installed,
the gear position of an automatic transmission is determined by moving a selector knob of a
gear-position switching system. A shift-by-wire type shift device has been developed in
recent years. The shift-by-wire type shift device detects the position of a shift member, such
as a selector knob, with a sensor and converts the detected signal into an electric shifting
signal, which activates an actuator for switching the connected gear of the transmission in
accordance with the shifting signal.
Modern automatic transmission-vehicle is provided with a selector knob which is
rotatable to be set, depending on needs, at any of positions; “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, whereby
gear-range of the transmission is shifted to Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive range, each
corresponding to the respective operable positions of the selector knob. The selector-knob is
in-turn provided with a gearshift switch operative to indicate a signal to switch gear
corresponding to aforesaid knob-positions.
Conventionally, contact type gear transmission switch assembly is used in vehicle.
Such switches comprise a lot of problems such as short life, malfunctioning, reliability issues
etc. Hence there is a need to overcome the aforesaid problems of the prior art.
Therefore, there lies a need of an assembly providing effective switching of gears in a
contactless gear transmission system having high durability.
SUMMARY
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
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intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended
for determining the scope of the invention.
The present subject matter at least relates to contactless gear transmission switch
assembly, in particular, toggle type switch assembly.

The present subject matter relates to a contactless gear transmission assembly for a
vehicle which includes a housing, a detent-profile located within the housing, a knob pivoted
within the housing above the detent to define a plurality of operable-positions upon actuation
by a user. The assembly includes a spring and a plunger attached to the knob and configured
to traverse the detent-profile upon actuation of the knob. The assembly includes an elongated
rib connected to the knob from one end to follow motion of the knob and the rib is connected
to a magnetic-element from another end. The assembly also includes a printed circuit board
(PCB) comprising a plurality of sensors to generate a plurality of electrical-signals with
respect to a plurality positions of the magnetic element. The magnetic element position
corresponds to the plurality of operable positions of the knob.
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 DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become
better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the contactless gear transmission switch
assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter;
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Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the contactless gear transmission switch
assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter;
Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate cross-sectional view of the contactless gear transmission
switch assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter; and
Figure 4 illustrates cross-sectional view of the contactless gear transmission switch
assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter;
Figures 5a and 5b illustrate cross-sectional view of the contactless gear transmission
switch assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter; and
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate cross-sectional view of a stationary-frame in the contactless
gear transmission switch assembly (100), in accordance with the present subject matter; and
Figures 7a and 7b illustrate the movable slider and magnetic element in the contactless
gear transmission switch assembly (100), in accordance with the present subject matter.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have 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 system, 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 process or method 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 skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
The present disclosure is related to a contactless gear transmission switch assembly
providing effective switching of gears in a contactless gear transmission system having high
durability.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the contactless gear transmission switch
assembly (100), in accordance with the present subject matter. The contactless gear
transmission switch assembly (100) includes plurality of operable positions of the knob
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corresponds to gear-positions visible to a user comprising Drive, Neutral, Reverse with
respect to an automatic-transmission system in the vehicle.
In an example, the switch assembly (100) may be a contactless switch assembly, e.g.
based on a combination of hall-sensor and magnet. As indicated, the three operable positions
“D”, “N”, “R”, (Driving, Neutral, Reverse) are shown as engraved upon assembly. In other
words, the plurality of operable-positions of the knob (103) are circularly oriented upon the
knob’s surface with respect to a pre-determined angular-range.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the contactless gear transmission switch
assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter. The exploded view of the switch
assembly such that the constituent components are a knob (103), a spring (103a), a plunger
(103b), a parking knob (103c), an eco knob (103d), a housing (101), a body (101a), a printed
circuit board or PCB (107) (e.g., hall-sensor arrangement based PCB), a main printed circuit
board or a main PCB (112) soldered to the PCB (107), and a back-cover (101b) connected
together with the housing (101) through plurality of mounting screws (113).
Figure 3 illustrates sectional views of the switch assembly (100). In an embodiment, the
contactless gear transmission switch assembly (100) includes, a detent-profile (102) located
within the housing (101), the knob (103) pivoted within the housing (101) above the detentprofile (102) to define a plurality of operable-positions upon actuation by a user. The
assembly (100) includes the spring (103a) loaded in the plunger (103b) which is in turn
attached to the knob (103). The spring (103a) and the plunger (103b), collectively referred as
a spring-loaded plunger (104). The spring loaded plunger (104) is configured to traverse the
detent-profile (102) upon actuation of the knob (103). The assembly (100) includes an
elongated rib (105) connected to the knob (103) from one end to follow motion of the knob
(103) and the rib (105) is connected to a magnetic element (106) from another end. The
assembly (100) also includes the PCB (107) comprising the plurality of sensors (108) to
generate a plurality of electrical-signals with respect to a plurality positions of the magnetic
element (106). The magnetic element (106) position corresponds to the plurality of operable
positions of the knob (103).

More specifically, Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate cross-sectional view of the
contactless gear transmission switch assembly (100), in accordance with the present subject
matter. In an embodiment, a connection between the elongated rib (105) and the magnetic
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element (106) is defined by an integration of the magnetic element (106) with the rib (105) at
the other end for enabling achievement of a plurality of positions of the magnetic elements in
the form of arc. The connection between the elongated rib (105) and the magnetic element
(106) is defined by a holder within elongated rib (105) for holding the magnetic element
(106). In an example, the magnetic element (106) may be insert-molded or snap-fit within the
holder of the elongated rib (105).
As a part of second embodiment shown later in Fig. 6, the connection between the
elongated rib (105) and the magnetic element (106) is defined by a linearly movable slider
(109) provided at the other end of the elongated rib (105). The movable slider (109) is
attached to the knob (103) through the elongated rib (105) to undergo linear motion along
with the rotation of the knob (103). The slider (109) holds the magnetic element (106)
through snap lock or insert-molded method.
Figure 4 illustrate cross-sectional view of the contactless gear transmission switch
assembly (100), in accordance with the present subject matter. The knob 103 is pivoted at a
point 402. In an embodiment, the detent profile (102) is configured as a set of grooves and
peaks to correspond to said gear positions (H, B2 and F2) and additionally two intermediate
gear positions (B1, F1). The knob (103) corresponds to a toggle switching element defined by
a switching-step of pre-determined distance (X) of 4.5 mm. The magnetic element (106) is
connected to the elongated rib (105) and holds a pre-magnetized permanent magnet.
As a non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the knob (103) is
sensed at least with the help of plurality of Hall Effect sensors (108) in the the PCB (107).
For example, the position of the knob 103 is sensed with the help of five Hall Effect sensors
(108) wherein at least two Hall Effect sensors are used for sensing the forward shifting, other
two Hall Effect sensors are used for sensing the reverse direction and one is for sensing the
neutral or the default position of the gear knob.
A drive position is detected based on determining the combination of position as a first
intermediate position (B1) and a first extreme position (B2). A reverse position is detected
based on determining the combination of position as a second intermediate position (F1) and
a second extreme position (F2).
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Accordingly, in a first solution in accordance with exemplary aspects of the invention,
the gear knob (103) is adapted to move in forward direction from its neutral position, which
is denoted by “H” in Figure 4. At least two positions, that is first forward position “F1” and
second forward position “F2” are defined for the gear knob (103) to advance in forward
direction from its neutral position, H.
In a second solution in accordance with exemplary aspects of the invention, the gear
knob (103) is adapted to move in reverse direction from its neutral position, H, as shown in
Figure 4. At least two positions, that is first backward position “B1” and second backward
position “B2” are defined for the gear knob (103) to advance in backward direction from its
neutral position, H.
In other words, on sensing the B1 & F1, it is determined as neutral position. On sensing
the B1 & B2, it is determined as reverse position. On sensing the F1 & F2, it is determined as
forward drive position. Figures 5a and 5b illustrate cross-sectional view of the contactless
gear transmission switch assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter. In an
embodiment, the PCB (107) is a Hall integrated circuit (IC) or a Hall sensor based PCB (107)
comprising a plurality of Hall elements acting as the plurality of sensors (108). The plurality
of sensors (108) is disposed within the PCB (107) in the form of an arc. The PCB (107) is
vertically supported based on a plurality of guides (108A, 108B) for providing lateral support
and a plurality of legs for providing vertical support over a main PCB 109 as depicted in Fig.
2. The plurality of guides (108A, 108B) is provided to stop vertical position of the main PCB
(112). In other words, the guides (108A, 108B) act as stopper-faces to rigidly support or
arrest the PCB (107) in the vertical position.
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate cross-sectional view of the contactless gear transmission
switch assembly 100 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present subject matter.
The assembly 100 incorporates a slider (109) connected to the elongated rib (105) of the knob
(103). A stationary-frame (111) accommodates the movable slider (109) through a guide-rail
arrangement to thereby allowing sliding of said movable slider (109) with respect to the
stationary frame (111). This allows achievement of a plurality of linear positions of the
magnetic element (106) based on the plurality of positions of the knob (103).
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In an embodiment, the movable slider (109) moves in a linear movement upon rotation
of the elongated rib of the knob (103) when tilted. The knob (103) may be pivoted at points
(109A).
Figures 7a and 7b illustrate the movable slider (109) and magnetic element 106 in the
contactless gear transmission switch assembly (100), in accordance with the present subject
matter. The movable slider (109) holds the magnetic element (106) through a holder. In other
example, the magnetic element (106) may be snug fit or insert-molded within the holder at
the slider 109.
While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any
limitations arising on account thereto, 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.

WE CLAIM:
1. A contactless gear transmission switch assembly (100) for a vehicle comprising:
a housing (101);
a detent-profile (102) located within the housing (101);
a knob (103) pivoted within the housing (101) above the detent profile (102), said
knob (103) defining a plurality of operable-positions upon actuation by a user;
a spring (103a) and a plunger (103b) attached to the knob (103) and configured to
traverse the detent-profile (102) upon actuation of the knob (103);
an elongated rib (105) connected to the knob (103) from one end to follow motion of
the knob (103), said rib (105) connected to a magnetic-element (106) from another end; and
a printed circuit board (107) comprising a plurality of sensors (108) to generate a
plurality of electrical-signals with respect to a plurality positions of the magnetic element
(106), said magnetic element (106) position corresponding to the plurality of operable
positions of the knob (103).
2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connection between the
elongated rib (105) and the magnetic element (106) is defined by an integration of the
magnetic element (106) with the rib (105) at the other end for enabling achievement of a
plurality of positions of the magnetic elements (106) in the form of arc.

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connection between the
elongated rib (105) and the magnetic element (106) is defined by:
a linearly movable slider (109) provided at the other end of the elongated rib (105), said
movable slider (109) attached to the knob (103) through the elongated rib (105) to achieve a
linear motion along with the rotation of the knob (103) and comprising a holder (110) for
holding the magnetic element (106).
4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:
a stationary-frame (111) accommodating the movable slider (109) through a guide-rail
arrangement to thereby allow sliding of said movable slider (109) with respect to the
stationary frame (111) and thereby enabling achievement of a plurality of linear positions of
the magnetic element (106) based on the plurality of positions of the knob (103).
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5. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board (107)
comprising a plurality of Hall elements acting as the plurality of sensors (108), said plurality
of sensors (108) having been disposed within the printed circuit board (107) in the form of an
arc or a linear array.
6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board (107) is
vertically supported based on:
a plurality of guides for providing lateral support;
a plurality of legs for proving vertical support over a main PCB.
7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, said plurality of operable positions of
the knob (103) corresponds to gear-positions visible to a user comprising Drive, Neutral,
Reverse with respect to an automatic-transmission system in the vehicle.
8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the detent profile (102) is
configured as a set of grooves and peaks to correspond to said gear positions (H, B2, F2) and
additionally two intermediate gear positions (B1, F1).
9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (103) corresponds to a
toggle switching element defined by a switching-step of pre-determined distance (X).
10. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic element (106)
connected to the extended rib is a permanent magnet.