FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a dimmer cum pass switch for use in a two wheeled vehicle
that defines a forward position, a middle position and a downward position. In particular, the
invention relates to a switch that can couple both DC power source and an AC power source
to a lighting unit of a two-wheeled vehicle to provide a low-beam, high-beam and pass
functions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Modern automotive vehicles include a variety of different lamps to provide illumination
under different operating conditions. Headlamps in particular define three states namely lowbeam
state, high-beam state and pass-beam state. The headlamp in low-beam state provides
less illumination compared to the headlamp in high-beam state. The headlamp can be
temporarily brought to a pass-beam state in which the illumination level is temporarily
increased.
In relation to a two-wheeled vehicle, it is a common practice to provide a handle-bar switch
console in close proximity of a handle grip to enable a user to control the states of the
headlamp. Several documents including U.S. Patent No. 4,847,454 and U.S. Patent No.
8,680,305 disclose disposing on the handle-bar switch console a first switch for enable the
headlamp to toggle between the low-beam state and the high-beam state and a second switch
to temporarily bring the headlamp to the pass-beam state. One of the advantages of having
two separate switches is that two different types of power sources can connected to the
headlamp. For example, an AC power source can be connected to the headlamp via the first
switch when the headlamp is operated in any one of low-beam state and a high-beam state
and a DC power source can be connected to the headlamp via the second switch when the
headlamp is operated in the pass-beam state. However, some of the disadvantages of this
approach include large number of components being used for making the handle-bar switch
console which result in large packaging size and more cost.
In addition, prior arts also teach disposing on the handle-bar switch console a single switch
for enabling the headlamp to be brought to the low-beam state or the high-beam state or the
pass-beam state. Examples of documents disclosing the handle-bar switch console having the
single switch include Japanese Patent No. 4558606 (corresponding to Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2007-052989), Indian Patent Application No. 925/DEL/2011 and
Indian Patent Application No. 1344/DEL/2012. A switch in accordance with the teachings of
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these documents is characterized by a single moving contact plate comprising an input
contact area and two output contact areas, wherein the input contact area and the two output
contact areas area arranged at about edges of an imaginary triangle. The single moving
contact plate enable making of electrical contacts to bring the headlamp in the low-beam
state, the high-beam state and the pass-beam state. Because of presence of a single moving
contact plate, there arises a difficulty in connecting two different types of power sources to
the headlamp.
In addition, there are available a single switch that enable the headlamp to be brought to the
low-beam state or the high-beam state or the pass-beam state, wherein there is provided a
moving contact plate and a leaf type moving contact member. The moving contact plate
comprises an input contact area and two output contact areas, wherein the input contact area
and the output contact areas are arranged at about edges of an imaginary triangle. The moving
contact plate enable making of electrical contacts to bring the headlamp in the low-beam state
and the high-beam state. The leaf-type moving contact member on the other hand enable
making of electrical contacts to bring the headlamp in the pass-beam state. Some of the
disadvantages of this approach include use of large number of components for making the
switch which result in large packaging size of the switch and more cost.
In addition, JPS6345936U teaches disposing on the handle-bar switch console a single switch
for enabling the headlamp to be brought to the low-beam state or the high-beam state or the
pass-beam state, wherein there is provided a first moving contact plate and a second moving
contact plate. The first moving contact plate comprises an input contact area and two output
contact areas, wherein the input contact area and the output contact areas are arranged at
about edges of an imaginary triangle. The first moving contact plate enable making of
electrical contacts to bring the headlamp in the low-beam state and the high-beam state. The
second moving contact plate on the other hand comprises enable making of electrical contacts
to bring the headlamp in the pass-beam state. As the first moving contact plate and the second
moving contact plate are arranged one below the other as per the teachings of JPS6345936U,
when two different types of power sources are to be connected to the headlamp, there arises
an issue of sparking between the first and the second moving contact plates, which may lead
to deterioration in life of the switch.
Thus, there is a need to provide an improved switch to enable a user to bring the headlamp in
any one of low-beam state, high-beam state and pass-beam state.
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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 a switch comprising a
housing, a base plate engageable with the housing to define an internal space and a pivot axis
and a hand operable knob traversing from the internal space to a space external to switch and
adapted to exhibit pivotal movement with respect to the pivot axis. The switch further
comprises a carrier member accommodated wholly within the internal space. The carrier
member is engageable with the hand operable knob or forms part of the hand operable knob.
The switch further comprises a first set of fixed contact terminals and a second set of fixed
contact terminals. The first set of fixed contact terminals is disposed on a first surface and the
second set of fixed contact terminals is disposed on a second surface. The first surface is
substantially perpendicular to the second surface.
The switch further comprises a first moving contact member and a second moving contact
member disposed on the carrier member. The first moving contact member is disposed on a
first surface of the carrier member and the second moving contact member is disposed on a
second surface of the carrier member. The first surface of the carrier member is substantially
perpendicular to the second surface of the carrier member.
The first moving contact member is adapted to come in contact with the first set of fixed
contacts and the second moving contact member is adapted to come in contact with the
second set of fixed contacts.
In accordance with an embodiment, the switch having the construction as defined above can
be used in automotive to enable a use to bring the headlamp to a low-beam state or a highbeam
state or a pass-beam state. In an embodiment, the switch having the construction as
defined above enables the headlamp to be connected to a first type of power source and a
second type of power source.
5
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 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 exploded view of the switch in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a close-up view of the base plate in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up view of the carrier having the first and the second moving
contact members in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a close-up view of the second set of fixed contact terminals in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates a close-up view of second moving contact member in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates the hand operable knob (3) at a first position corresponding to high-beam
state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 illustrates the hand operable knob (3) at a second position corresponding to a lowbeam
state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 illustrates the hand operable knob (3) at a third position corresponding to a passbeam
state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 illustrates a close-up view of the housing with the carrier member in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention; and
6
Figure 10 illustrates a close-up view of the carrier having the first moving contact member in
accordance with an embodiment of the present 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.
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
7
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.
In the following paragraphs, the switch has been described in terms of its construction and in
some places the end use of the switch has been described. In many places, the end use of the
switch has been described in relation to automotive vehicles. In particular, the end use of the
switch has been described in relation to headlamp and wherein the switch allows a user to
bring the headlamp to the low-beam state or the high-beam state or the pass-beam state and
wherein the switch allows for the headlamp to be connected to a first type of power source
and a second type of power source. In light of the above, in some places of the specification,
the switch is being referred to (for the purposes of ease of nomenclature) as dimmer cum pass
switch. However, it may be noted that the invention lies in the construction of the switch per
se and is not limited by the end use obtained by a circuit incorporating the switch. Thus, the
end uses described and the nomenclature adopted are merely for the purposes of illustration
and ease of reference.
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated an exploded view of the dimmer cum pass switch in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The dimmer cum pass switch
comprises a housing (1) and a base plate (4) engageable with the housing (1) to define an
internal space and a pivot axis.
The dimmer cum pass switch may further comprise a hand operable knob (3) traversing from
the internal space to a space external to the dimmer cum pass switch. The hand operable knob
8
may be supported to exhibit pivotal movement with respect to the pivot axis. The switch may
further comprise a carrier member (2) that may be may be accommodated wholly within the
internal space. The carrier member (2) may be engageable with the hand operable knob (3) or
may be formed as an integral part of the hand operable knob (3) and thus exhibits pivotal
movement with respect to the pivot axis.
The dimmer cum pass switch further comprises a first set of fixed contact terminals (5) and a
second set of fixed contact terminals (6). In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
the first set of fixed contact terminals (5) may be disposed on a first surface while the second
set of fixed contact terminals (6) may be disposed on a second surface. In an embodiment of
the invention, the second surface may be perpendicular to the first surface. By way of a nonlimiting
example, reference may be made to Figure 2 to understand the positioning of the
first set of fixed contact terminals (5) on the first surface and the second set of fixed contact
terminals in the second surface. As can be seen from Figure 2, which is a close-up view of
the base plate (4), the first set of fixed contact terminals (5) may be disposed on a first surface
(201) defined by the base plate (4) and the second set of fixed contact terminals (6) may be
disposed on a second surface (202) defined by the base plate (4) wherein the first surface may
be perpendicular to the second surface. In an embodiment of the invention, the first base plate
surface (201) is curved in shape.
Although not illustrated, by way of another non-limiting example, the first set of fixed
contact terminals (5) may be disposed on a first surface defined by the base plate (4) while
the second set of fixed contact terminals (6) may be disposed on a second surface defined by
the housing (1) wherein the first surface of the base plate may be perpendicular to the second
surface of the housing (1).
Referring back to Figure 1, the dimmer cum pass switch further comprises a first moving
contact member (7) and a second moving contact member (8). In an embodiment of the
present invention, the first moving contact member (7) and the second moving contact
member (8) are disposed on the carrier member (2). By way of a non-limiting example,
reference may be made to Figure 3 to understand the positioning of the first moving contact
member (7) and the second moving contact member (8) on the carrier member (2). As can be
seen from Figure 3, which is a close-up view of the carrier member (2), in an embodiment of
the present invention, the first moving contact member (7) is disposed on a first surface (301)
of the carrier member (2) and the second moving contact member (8) is disposed on a second
9
surface (301) of the carrier member (2). In an embodiment of the invention, the first surface
(301) of the carrier member (2) is perpendicular to the second surface (302) of the carrier
member (2). In an embodiment, the first surface (301) of the carrier member (2) carrying the
first moving contact member (7) faces the first surface (201) of the base plate (4) on which
the first set of fixed contact terminals (5) are disposed. In an embodiment, the second surface
(302) of the carrier member (2) carrying the second moving contact member (8) faces the
second surface (202) of the base plate (4) on which the second set of fixed contact terminals
(6) are disposed.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first moving contact member (7) co-operates with the
first set of fixed contact terminals (5) to define a first and a second electrical connections. In
an embodiment of the invention, the second moving contact member (8) co-operates with the
second set of fixed contact terminals (6) to define a third electrical connection. In an
embodiment of the invention, the first electrical connection may pertain to a low-beam state
of a headlamp as provided in an automotive vehicle, the second electrical connection may
pertain to a high-beam state of a headlamp in the automotive vehicle and the third electrical
connection may pertain to a pass-beam state in the automotive vehicle.
It may be noted that in an embodiment of the invention, the first set of fixed contact terminals
(5) and the first moving contact member (7) may be adapted to receive and conduct a first
type of power source. By way of a non-limiting example, the first set of fixed contact
terminals (5) and the first moving contact member (7) may be adapted to receive and conduct
AC power. It may be noted that in an embodiment of the invention, the second set of fixed
contact terminals (6) and the second moving contact member (8) may be adapted to receive
and conduct a second type of power source. By way of a non-limiting example, the second set
of fixed contact terminals (6) and the second moving contact member (8) may be adapted to
receive and conduct DC power. It may be further noted that, since the first set of fixed
contact terminals (5) and the second set of fixed contact terminals (6) are disposed on
surfaces that are perpendicular to each other and likewise, the first moving contact member
(7) and the second moving contact member (8) are disposed on surfaces that are
perpendicular to each other, the probability of sparking between the first and the second
moving contacts or the first and the second set of fixed contact terminals is substantially
reduced. It may be furthermore observed that reduction in probability of sparking has been
attained without increasing number of components of the switch. Also, it may be furthermore
10
observed that reduction in probability of sparking has been attained without increasing
packaging size of the switch. It may be furthermore observed that reduction in probability of
sparking has been attained without increasing the cost of the switch.
Referring to Figure 4, which is a close-up view of the second set of fixed contact terminals
(6), in an embodiment of the invention, the second set of fixed contact terminals (6) may
include an input power receiving terminal (401) and two output power providing terminals
(402 and 403). Referring to Figure 5, the second moving contact member (8) may include an
input contact zone (501) and two output contact zones (502 and 503). In an embodiment of
the invention, the input contact zone (501) as provided in the second moving contact member
(8) may be in constant electrically-contacting relationship with the input power receiving
terminal (401) forming part of the second set of fixed contact terminals (6). In an
embodiment of the invention, at a particular instance of time, one of the two output contact
zones (502 or 503) as provided in the second moving contact member (8) may be in
electrically-contacting relationship with one of the two output power providing terminals
(402 or 403) forming part of the second set of fixed contact terminals (6).
By way of a non-limiting example, at a first position of the hand operable knob (3) as shown
in Figure 6, a first output contact zone (502) as provided in the second moving contact
member (8) may be selectively brought in electrically-contacting relationship with a first
output power providing terminal (402) forming part of the second set of fixed contact
terminals (6). On the other hand, at a second position of the hand operable knob (3) as shown
in Figure 7, a second output contact zone (503) as provided in the second moving contact
member (8) may be selectively brought in electrically-contacting relationship with a second
output power providing terminal (403) forming part of the second set of fixed contact
terminals (6). It may be noted that irrespective of the first position or the second position of
the hand-operable knob (3), the input contact zone (501) as provided in the second moving
contact member (8) is in constant electrically-contacting relationship with the input power
receiving terminal (401) forming part of the second set of fixed contact terminals (6). In an
embodiment of the present invention, the switch can be parked at the first position and the
second position and that the switch functions as a toggle switch between the first and the
second positions.
Referring to Figure 8, in an embodiment of the invention, the first set of fixed contact
terminals (5) may include an input power receiving terminal (603) and an output power
11
providing terminal (604). In such case, the first moving contact member (7) may include an
input contact zone (601) and an output contact zone (602). In an embodiment, the input
contact zone (601) forming part of the first moving contact member (7) may be selectively
brought in electrically-contacting relationship with the input power receiving terminal (603)
forming part of the first set of fixed contact terminals (5) and the output contact zone (602) as
provided in the first moving contact member (7) may be selectively brought in electricallycontacting
relationship with the output power providing terminal (604) forming part of the
first set of fixed contact terminals (5).
By way of a non-limiting example, at a third position of the hand operable knob (3), the input
contact zone (601) as provided in the first moving contact member (7) may be selectively
brought in electrically-contacting relationship with the input power receiving terminal (603)
forming part of the first set of fixed contact terminals (5) and the output contact zone (602) as
provided in the first moving contact member (7) may be selectively brought in electricallycontacting
relationship with the output power providing terminal (604) forming part of the
first set of fixed contact terminals (5) to define the third electrical connection. In an
embodiment of the present invention, the switch cannot be parked at the third position. In an
embodiment of the invention, the switch may be brought to the third position temporarily
(until a user applies an actuating force on the user knob). For instance, the switch may be
brought to the third position temporarily from the second position upon application of an
actuation force on the user knob by a user and returns back to the second position upon
release of the actuation force. Thus, the switch functions as a push-button switch between the
second and the third positions.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first position may correspond to a forward position of
the user knob, the second position may correspond to a middle position of the user knob and
the third position may correspond to a downward position of the user knob. In an
embodiment of the invention, the first position (or alternatively at the forward position) may
correspond to a high-beam state; the second position (or alternatively at the middle position)
may correspond to a low-beam state; and the third position (or alternatively at the downward
position) may correspond to a pass-beam state.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the second moving contact member (8) comprises
a metallic strip having three dome contacting points, with a first dome contacting point acting
as the input contact zone (501) and a second and a third dome contacting points acting as the
12
output contact zones (502 and 503). In an embodiment of the invention, the first, the second
and the third dome contacting points are arranged at about edges of an imaginary triangle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first moving contact member (7) comprises a
metallic strip having two dome contacting points with a first dome contacting point acting as
the input contact zone (601) and a second dome contacting point acting as the output contact
zone (602).
In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 9, the housing (1) comprises a backwall
(701) formed with the pivot hole (not visible); opposing side walls (702 and 703) located
adjacent to back-wall (701); and a bottom wall (704) joined to the said back-wall (701) and
the said opposing side walls (702 and 703).
In case the carrier member (2) is engaged with the hand operable knob (3), the carrier
member (2) may define a pivot shaft (705) on which the hand operable knob (3) is fixedly
mounted. The term “fixedly mounted” herein means that the hand operable knob (3) does not
exhibit motion relative to the carrier member (2). The pivot hole is adopted for receiving the
pivot shaft (705) such that the hand operable knob (3) together with the carrier member (2)
exhibits pivotal motion.
In an embodiment of the invention, the housing (1) may include detent profile (706) and the
carrier member (2) may further comprise a ball-spring mechanism (10 & 11, best seen in
Figure 1) co-operating with the detent profile (706).In an embodiment of the present
invention, an inner surface of the housing (1) is provided with a detent profile. By way of a
non-limiting example, the bottom wall (704) is formed with the detent profile. In an
embodiment of the invention, the detent profile (706) defines a first parking portion (707) and
a second parking portion (708) to allow the ball-spring mechanism (10 and 11) to be parked,
the first parking portion (707) on the detent profile (706) corresponds to the forward knob
position and the second parking portion (708) on the detect profile (706) corresponds to the
middle knob position.
In an embodiment of the invention, the detent profile may further define a slanting portion
(709) corresponding to the downward knob position and the ball-spring mechanism (10; 11)
is adapted to co-operate with the slanting portion (709) of the detent profile (706) to
13
automatically bring the knob (3) from a downward knob position to the middle knob position
upon release of an actuating force.
Although not illustrated, in an alternative embodiment, the switch may further comprise a
torsion spring / compression spring connected to the knob to automatically bring the knob
from a downward knob position to the middle knob position upon release of an actuating
force.
In an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 10 and Figure 1, the carrier
member (2) defines a first surface (301) which may preferably be in the form of an underside
surface (801) and a second surface (302) which may preferably be in the form of a lateral
surface (802). Thus, the first surface (301) of the carrier member (2) may alternatively be
referred to as underside surface (801) of the carrier member (2) and the second surface (302)
of the carrier member may alternatively be referred to as lateral surface (802) of the carrier
member. In an embodiment of the invention, the lateral surface (802) of the carrier (2)
comprises a first recess (803) for accommodating the second moving contact member (8) and
a spring (12, best seen in Figure 1) for exerting a positive outward pressure on the second
moving contact member (8). In an embodiment of the invention, the underside surface (801)
of the carrier (2) comprises a second recess (804) for accommodating the second moving
contact member (7) and a spring (9, best seen in Figure 1) for exerting a positive outward
pressure on the first moving contact member (7). In an embodiment of the invention, the
underside surface (801) of the carrier (2) comprises a third recess (805, hidden in Figure 10)
for accommodating the ball-spring mechanism (10; 11, best seen in Figure 1). The ballspring
mechanism (10; 11) may partially protrude from the underside surface (801) of the
carrier (2).
In an embodiment of the invention, the first base plate surface (201) faces the underside
surface (801) of the carrier member (2); and the second base plate surface (202) faces the
lateral surface (802) of the carrier member (2).
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.
14
The drawings and the forgoing 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. A dimmer cum pass switch for use in a two wheeled vehicle, said switch comprising:
a housing (1);
a base plate (4) engageable with the housing (1) to define an internal space and
a pivot axis, the base plate (4) being provided with a first set of fixed contact
terminals (5) along a first surface (201) and a second set of fixed contact terminals (6)
along a second surface (202), the second surface (202) being perpendicular to the first
surface (201);
a hand operable knob (3) traversing from the internal space to a space external
to switch and adapted to exhibit pivotal movement with respect to the pivot axis; and
a carrier member (2) engageable with the hand operable knob (3), the carrier
member being accommodated wholly within the internal space; a first surface (301) of
the carrier member (2) being provided with a first moving contact member (7) and a
second surface (302) of the carrier member being provided with a second moving
contact member (8), the first moving contact member (7) being adapted to come in
contact with the first set of fixed contact terminals (5), the second moving contact
member (8) being adapted to come in contact with the second set of fixed contacts (6),
the first surface (301) of the carrier member (2) being perpendicular to the second
surface (302) of the carrier member (2).
2. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch functions as a
toggle switch between a forward knob position corresponding to a high-beam state
and a middle knob position corresponding to a low-beam state and the switch
functions as a push button switch between the middle knob position corresponding to
the low-beam state and a rearward knob position corresponding to a pass-beam state.
3. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier member (2)
further accommodates a ball-spring mechanism (10, 11).
4. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the
housing (1) is provided with a detent profile (706).
5. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claims 2 to 4, wherein the detent profile
(706) defines a first parking position (707) and a second parking position (708) to
16
allow the ball-spring mechanism (10; 11) to be parked, the first parking position (707)
corresponding to the forward knob position and the second parking position (708)
corresponding to the middle position.
6. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein the detent profile (706)
defines a slanting portion (709) corresponding to the downward knob position and the
ball-spring mechanism (10; 11) is adapted to co-operate with the slanting portion
(709) to automatically bring the knob (3) from a downward knob position to the
middle knob position upon release of an actuating force.
7. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a torsion
spring / compression spring connected to the knob to automatically bring the knob
from a downward knob position to the middle knob position upon release of an
actuating force.
8. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface (201) of
the base plate (4) is curved in shape.
9. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein:
the first surface (201) of the base plate (4) faces the first surface (301) of the carrier
member (2); and
the second surface (202) of the base plate (4) faces the second surface (302) of the
carrier member (2).
10. The dimmer cum pass switch as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein:
the first surface (301) of the carrier member (2) is an underside surface (801) of the
carrier member (2); and
the second surface (302) of the carrier member (2) is a lateral surface (802) of the
carrier member (2).