COMPLETE AFTER PROVISIONAL
LEFT ON 12 JAN 2007
FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)


TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Control switches for automotive vehicles
APPLICANTS

Name
Nationality
Address

Bajaj Auto Limited
Indian Company
Akurdi, Pune 411035, Maharashtra, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

This invention relates to control switches used in automotive vehicles to actuate different functions. The invention is particularly related but not limited to control switches used in two or three wheeled vehicles using handle bar as a steering control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automotive vehicles are provided with a plurality of vehicle controls which the vehicle operator has to operate, for example horn, electric starting of the engine, engine kill switch, vehicle lights, headlamp high/low beam control, turn indicators etc. These controls in the form of electro-mechanical switches are conveniently located in the vehicle instrument console, enabling easy and convenient operation by the rider. In the case of two and three wheeled vehicles having handle bar as steering control, these switches are conveniently located on the left and the right hand sides of the handle bar. While riding the vehicle, the vehicle operator has to operate other controls such as clutch, front and/or rear brake gearshift control, accelerator etc. The vehicle operator has to operate a number of such controls while riding the vehicle, making it necessary to build in an ergonomic design with respect to position of each control switch. Any inconvenience in the operation to the driver may lead to serious safety threat to vehicle, the driver, the pillion and other road users.
Normally, switch comprises of switch body, knobs, fixed and moveable contacts. Movement of knob by the vehicle operator enables operation of the desired function by electrical connection or disconnection of these contacts. These switches use knobs, which are operated by different ways e.g. by sliding, by angular movement, by pressing etc. Multiplicity in operating methods of different types of knobs could potentially cause confusion to the vehicle operator and affect safety of vehicle operation.
In order to actuate the desired function, the vehicle operator moves sliding type knob through a large distance and toggle type knob through a large angular movement. In vehicles, particularly with handle bar type steering, the vehicle operator is constrained to grip the handle bar and simultaneously operate the control switches such as lights, turn signal indicators, horn etc. Employing sliding type or toggle type switches
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requiring effort for such vehicle controls may impose ergonomic restrictions on the vehicle operator and affect vehicle safety.
Further, the knobs used in known switches are smaller. Also, the switches protrude above the mounting surface. While driving the vehicle, the vehicle operator conveniently operates these switches by his thumbs without the need to apply his attention to locate the position of the switches. If the position of switches is not convenient or is not ergonomically designed, there is a possibility that the vehicle operator may operate a wrong control switch or take longer time to operate the desired knob. Diverting vehicle operator's attention away from the road and traffic conditions may affect safety.
In left hand (LH) or right hand (RH) switch a single toggle type or a sliding type knob is used for actuating turn signal indicators (TSI). The switch is a three-position switch, one position for TSI OFF and one position each for left or right TSI-ON. The operation of switch is by left or right hand even if driver intends to turn the vehicle in opposite direction also. This may create confusion to the driver.
The push type knobs, sliding type knobs, toggle type knobs protrude above the surface of the switch body. Also the switch itself protrudes above the mounting surface. Besides being bulky mountings, these switches do not add to the aesthetics of the vehicle.
In order to avoid above difficulties, applicants have provided switches wherein all the knobs are operable in an identical manner, for example by pressing of knobs.
The invention comprises:
A handlebar,
A body housing control switches,
Knobs for operating the control switches,
Preferably, the knobs are larger in size;
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Preferably, the projection of the external periphery of the switch body from the exterior periphery of handlebar grip is reduced for better ergonomics of operation;
Preferably, the knobs are flush with the external diametral periphery of the switch body;
Preferably, the knobs operate the switch controls with minimal travel;
All the knobs are large in size and are accommodated within a diametrical shape of the switch body without any substantial protrusions and therefore are flush with the mounting contour. The difference between outermost diameter encompassing the knobs and that of holding the grip is comparatively less, say about 25mm. The travel of switch knobs is very small, for example about 0.4mm. Further, actuation of TSI is separated for LH and RH side and is operable by the respective hand. The left side indicators are now operable by left hand and right side indicators are operable by right hand.
The invention may be more fully understood from the following description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates views of a typical control switch having different types of knobs
according to the prior art. Figure 1A illustrates views of another control switch having different types of knobs
according to the prior art. Figure IB illustrates views of yet another control switch having toggle type of knob
for engine stop control according to the prior art. Figure 2 illustrates location of the control switches according to the invention on
handle bar of a vehicle. Figure 3 illustrates control switch LH according to the invention with a sectional view
in one direction. Figure 4 illustrates another sectional view of control switch of figure 3. Figure 5 illustrates various sectional views of control switch of figure 3.
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Figure 6 illustrates sectional view of module "A" construction in control switch of
figure 3. Figure 7 illustrates sectional view of module "B" construction in control switch of
figure 3. Figure 8 illustrates a circuit diagram of operation of side indicators in control switch
of figure 3. Figure 9 illustrates a circuit diagram of operation of Hi-Low beam control of
headlamp by control switch of figure 3.
Referring to Figure 1, control switch comprises a switch body 2, to which various knobs are assembled. Knob 3 is for Turn Signal Indicators (TSI), which is of toggle type, pivoted at the center 3A. Knob 4 is for Hi-low beam control, which is also of toggle type. Knob 5 is a press type used for operating a horn.
Referring to Figure 1A, knob 8, which is of toggle type, is for TSI. Knob 9, which is also of toggle type, is for controlling high and low beam of headlight.
Figure IB illustrates a partial sectional view illustrating toggle type knob P2 used for engine stop control, pivoted at P3 to the switch body PL The body PI is provided with fixed contacts P4 and P5 and moveable contacts P6. Other knobs are not illustrated since their operation is identical to the knobs provided in other figures of prior art.
It can be observed from the prior art that the switches are combination of toggle type knobs, sliding type knobs and press type knobs. These knobs have to be moved a large linear and angular distances. The knobs protrude beyond the external periphery of switch housing and switches of Figures 1 and 1A are not of diametrical shape. The switches do not match with the contour of the mounting. Typically, the difference between outermost diameter encompassing the knobs and that of the handlebar holding the grip is of the order of say 35mm in some of the known switches. The linear travel of the knobs in such cases is large say even up to 5 mm. Some variants of knobs also have angular travel. It may thus be observed that the knobs for switches in prior art do pose problem to the vehicle operator with respect to ergonomics of operation.
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Figure 2 illustrates a typical location of the switch LH 20L and switch RH 20R, according to one embodiment of the invention, on handle bar of a vehicle.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, figures 3 to 5 illustrate a typical control switch LH 20L. The body 21 of the switch 20L is assembled with press type knobs 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. Each of the knobs 22, 23 and 24 are pivoted at one end to the body 21 while the other end can be pressed. The knobs 25 and 26 are also press type but are not pivoted. These are held in position by springs 27, assembled in body 21.
To facilitate use of press type operation for all knobs, different construction modules are used. For example, Module A shown in figure 6 may be used, for example, for horn control by pressing of knob 24 and holding in position till desired by driver. This presses moveable contact 29 pivoted at 30, to touch fixed contact 28 enabling operation of the horn. The fixed contact and the pivot location 30 are assembled to the switch body 21. The travel of the knob 24 is very small T and is equivalent to the travel 'D' of moveable contact 29 (which is of the order of say 2mm) divided by approximate arm length 'L' say 5mm.
Similarly, switch 20L may be provided with construction module B illustrated in figure 7 wherein the knob 25 is assembled with a magnet 31 in correspondence with a reed switch 32 provided in switch body 21. As the knob 25 is pressed, the magnet 31 moves closer to the reed switch 31 closing the circuit and performing the desired function. This construction is disclosed in applicants' co-pending patent application no. 1494/MUM/2005.
Above description and illustrations are related to a control switch LH 20L. The construction of control switch RH 20R is a mirror image of control switch LH20L, except that it may actuate other functions.
Referring to figure 8, the operation of the turn signal indicators (TSI) is by two press type knobs 55 (shown as say 22 in figures 3 to 5) and 56 (not shown in earlier figures since on switch RH 20R), provided in switch LH 20L for left side turning and other in switch RH 20R for right side turning. These knobs switch on the function upon
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pressing once and switch off upon pressing a second time. Pressing of knob 55 once actuates left TSI 51 and pilot light 53 and pressing it the second time de-activates these. Similarly, pressing knob 56, actuates right TSI 52 and pilot light 54 and pressing it the second time de-activates these. The circuit provides the necessary interlocking whereby actuation of the second side of the TSI while the first side TSI is already active, overrides the first side TSI. This is achieved by including a controller 50 in the circuit, which overrides one side operation and triggers on the other side operation when intended by the driver.
Referring to figure 9, the operation of lights ON has 0 - PO- H positions, 0 for lights OFF press type knob 63 (one of the knobs in figures 3 to 5) on switch 20L is not pressed. When first time the knob 63 is pressed, position PO is triggered ON enabling front and rear positions lights and instrument console lights (collectively identified as 62, in ON condition. Second time pressing of knob 63 further actuates the position H in ON condition, making the headlight Low beam ON. Next pressing of knob 63 deactivates all the lights OFF. Selection of the headlight HI beam 60 or Low beam 61 is by a knob 64 of switch 20R.
It can be observed that control switches, according to the invention, are operable in identical way say only by pressing of knobs, thus adding to ergonomics of operation. All the knobs are large in size and are accommodated flush within the diametrical periphery of the switch body without any substantial protrusions. The switches also have improved aesthetics. The difference between outermost diameter of the switch housing encompassing the knobs and that of the handle bar grip is reduced compared to prior art, say to the order of 25mm. The travel of the press type knob is also very small which is of the order of say 0.4 mm for knobs using construction module A and say 2 mm for knobs using construction module B. Further, turn signal indicators (TSI) are separated for left hand side and the right hand side and are operable by the respective hand.
Modifications and variations to the control switches for automotive vehicles of the present invention may be apparent to the skilled reader of this disclosure. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, any of the modules A or B can be used for actuation of any
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of the controls. Also, any of the press type knobs on switch 20L or 20L can be used for actuation of any function.
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We claim :
1. A handlebar assembly for a vehicle, comprising a plurality of switch control
housings each such switch control housing comprising at least one hand
operated vehicle control switch, wherein
at least one switch control housing is disposed on either side of the handlebar.
2. A handlebar assembly in Claim 1 where the difference between the exterior peripheral diameter of switch control housing and the handlebar grip is less than 25mm.
3. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims where the knobs of the switches are of push type.
4. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims where the switch activation is non contact type.
5. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims where a single push of the knob activates a control operation.
6. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims where a single push of the knob deactivates a control operation.
7. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims characterized in that a set of the said switches on one side interlocked conditionally for deactivating with a corresponding set of said switches on other side, as per predetermined control circuit of resetting when corresponding switches on both sides are actuated simultaneously.
8. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims where the knobs of the switches are flush with exterior periphery of the said switch control housing.
9. A switch control housing assembly in any of the preceding claims where the travel of knobs for operating the switch control is minimized to a range of 0.4 mm to 2mm.
10. A switch control housing assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the knob for operating the switch control returns to its initial position in both the on or off condition.
11. A switch control housing as substantially described above.
12. A vehicle with a handlebar assembly as substantially claimed above.
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13. A two wheel vehicle with a handlebar assembly as substantially claimed above.
14. A three wheel vehicle with a handlebar assembly as substantially claimed above.

Dated this 12th day of January 2007

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