DESC:Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved momentary push type switch mechanism secured inside a lever combination switch, for the operation of horn module in an automobile.

Description of the Related Art

The Conventional technology has a number of disadvantages in terms of operation. Conventionally, in the existing knob assembly, the lower knob and the upper knob are coupled together with the help of a small dowel sleeve, sliding on a lever and a holder, which is mounted on the upper knob assembly, which presses the carrier horn assembly downward and thus, causing contact between both the rivets.

In this type of horn design, the contact pressure caused during the operation of the horn is due to the forces applied at the end of the knob, which actually gets transferred onto the rivets leading to the deformation of the contact rivets and over a period of time, due to wear and tear, eventually resulting in failure.

Objects of the invention

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a positive contact force due to overall by compression of retainer spring.

It is an another object of the present invention to provide superior operational life due to no contribution of excessive applied forces for actuation of horn on contact rivets.

It is an another object of the present invention to provide an improved horn mechanism compact switch having a single module with minimum number of parts.

It is an another object of the present invention to eliminate premature failure of the horn mechanism.

It is an another object of the present invention to minimize the cost of the apparatus, due to its efficient design.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved momentary push type switch mechanism, which can be easily and efficiently manufactured and is of durable and solid construction.

An even further object of the present invention to provide an improved momentary push type switch mechanism, which is of low cost and easy to maintain.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an improved momentary push type switch mechanism, which substantially eliminates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved momentary push type switch mechanism in which the horn module carrier assembly is connected to the retainer rivet assembly through the actuator pin and then the knob horn which is connected to retainer rivet is covered by the rubber cap with the locking bush.

In this mechanism, there are two springs. One is the retainer spring and the other is the horn spring. The retainer spring is stiffer in nature compared to the horn spring. The retainer spring is coupled to the retainer rivet assembly. The horn spring is coupled with the carrier horn. As and when the horn actuates, knob horn pushes the actuator pin downward. Thus, transfer of motion from actuator pin to horn carrier assembly takes place and contact is made. Further push on the knob results in positive contact pressure, due to compression of the retainer spring and further motion of knob horn is stopped by the upper knob, leading to no contribution of excessive applied force on the contact rivets, resulting in increased life of contacts.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description as well as in the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings

The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 01 illustrates the prior art switch in an OFF condition;

Fig. 02 illustrates the prior art switch in ON condition;

Fig. 03 illustrates the switch in the OFF condition in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 04 illustrates the switch in the ON condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 05 illustrates the switch in mechanism absorbing the impact load on knob horn, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Invention

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components, but may include other components, not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present invention with respect to an improved momentary push type switch mechanism secured inside a lever combination switch for the operation of horn module in an automobile. The invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an improved momentary push type switch mechanism incorporated inside a lever combination switch for the operation of a horn module, said mechanism comprising: a horn module carrier assembly being connected to a retainer rivet assembly with the help of an actuator pin; said actuator pin being in communication with the knob horn; said knob horn being connected to a retainer rivet; said retainer rivet being covered by a cap with a locking bush; a retainer spring coupled to the retainer rivet assembly; and a horn spring coupled to the carrier horn; wherein as and when the horn actuates the knob horn which is coupled to said retainer rivet assembly pushes the actuator pin downward resulting in transfer of motion from the actuator pin to horn carrier assembly and contact is made.

According to another aspect of the present invention, further push on the knob results in positive contact pressure due to compression of said retainer spring and further motion of knob horn is restricted by upper knob leading to no contribution of the applied force on the contact rivets resulting in increased life of the contacts.

The present invention relates to an improved momentary push type switch mechanism, in which the horn module carrier horn assembly is connected to the retainer rivet assembly (16a) with the help of an actuator pin (15) and then the knob horn (16b) which is connected to Retainer rivet assembly (10) is covered by the rubber cap with the locking bush.

In this mechanism, there are two springs. One is the spring retainer (16a2) and the other is the horn spring. The spring retainer (16a2) is stiffer in nature compared to the horn spring (16). The spring retainer (16a2) is coupled to the retainer rivet assembly (16a). The horn spring (4) is coupled to the carrier horn (5a). As and when contacts are made, the horn knob (16b) pushes the actuator pin (15) downward. Thus, there is a transfer of motion from the actuator pin (15) to horn carrier assembly and contact is made. Further push on the knob results in positive contact pressure, due to compression of the retainer spring (16a2) and further motion of knob horn (16b) is stopped by the upper knob (6), leading to no contribution of excessive applied force on the contact rivets, resulting in increased life of contacts.

Advantages of the present invention

The first advantage is that a positive contact force is achieved due to over travel by the compression retainer spring.

The second advantage of the present invention is superior operational life due to no contribution of applied forces, for actuation of horn on contact rivets.

The advantages of the disclosed invention are thus attained in an economical, practical, and facile manner. While preferred aspects and example configurations have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various further modifications and additional configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the specific embodiments and configurations herein disclosed are illustrative of the preferred nature and best mode of practicing the invention, and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:1. A improved momentary push type switch mechanism for a lever combination switch, said mechanism comprising:
a horn module carrier assembly being connected to a retainer rivet assembly with the help of said actuator pin;
said actuator pin being in communication with the knob horn;
said knob horn being connected to a retainer rivet;
said retainer rivet being covered by a cap with a locking bush;
a retainer spring coupled to the retainer rivet assembly;
a horn spring coupled to the carrier horn;
wherein as and when contacts are made the knob horn which is coupled to said retainer rivet assembly pushes the actuator pin downward resulting in transfer of motion from the actuator pin to horn carrier assembly and contact is made.

2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein further push on the knob results in the positive contact pressure due to compression of said retainer spring and further motion of knob horn is restricted by upper knob leading to no contribution of the applied force on the contact rivets resulting in increased life of the contacts.

3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring retainer is stiffer compared to the spring horn.