Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modular switch for vehicles and more specifically to an
improved modular switch comprising a butt type with sliding circuit for direct current flow
between the contact terminals for both single and dual circuit.
Description of the Related Art
Conventionally available switches with butt contact design generally comprise more
number of parts. which arc made of plastic and metal. The more number of parts lead to more
complex fimctionalitics. Also. the conventional design is being manufactured with a number of
processes. such as soldering. orbital riveting and insert moulding, which ultimately result in
increased cost ofthe switch.
The conventional design. with butt contact has single point continuity. Therefore, the
current flow through this single point gradually causes deterioration, at the contact points and
thus leading to premature failure ofthc switch.
Conventional switches have a moving part. The movmg part carries the mechanism
through which a continuous current always flows. In other words, the current leakage occurs,
even when the flew, of current is not desired. In presently available switches, current leakage
occurs through various parts, such as the terminals, fixed rivets, knob inserts and pins etc.
Further. the current flow continuity breaks in the circuit, because of the fact that the current leaks
through mme number of parts. These conventional switches do not have covered construction
thereof. Therefore. there arc chances of accumulation of insulating materials, (such as dust)
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hctvvecn the contact areas. Lastly, the switches are easily affected by dirt and corroston and
hence, their life is short.
Thus. there is a need to provide an improved modular switch which overcomes one or
more of' the al"orcsaid disadvantages.
Objects of the Invention
;\ccordingly, it is a principal object ofthe present invention to overcome or ameliorate at
least one or the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
It is another object of" the present invention to provide a butt-type switch mechanism that
can he used ftlr low current applications.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a butt-type switch mechanism
that can he easily and ef"ficiently manufactured and is of durable and solid construction and has
no leakage of" current.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a butt-type switch mechanism
which has e:xcellent mechanical strength and can be easily operated by persons of ordinary skill.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a butt-type switch mechanism with sliding action that
substantially obviates one or more problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the
related art.
The prc.-;ent invention relates to a modular switch comprising a knob, steel ball, a moving
contact. pressure strip, two terminals being fixed with housing. The knob assembly complete (a
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spring, steel hall. a moving contact, pressure strip, two screws) is snap fitted with the housing
assembly. The moving contact is housed in knob with the help of the fixing means. The fixing
means may he screws. insert mould, snap-fitting, riveting or fasteners. The first and second
terminals arc fixed at inner side of the housing of the modular switch in such a way that in
\vorking condition moving contact act as a contact bridge which connects both the terminals. The
first and second terminals act as negative and positive terminals. Therefore, when the knob is
pressed by the user, the moving contact touches both the terminals and the required circuit is
established and current !low takes place and to make the circuit continuous even in the vibration
condition. the moving contact is supported by a pressure strip. This pressure strip acts as a spring
(puts a required pressure on the moving contact, when the circuit is closed) which supports the
moving contact to maintain its appropriate position. On releasing the pressure from the knob, the
moving contact moves apart !'rom the terminal and both are in both terminals.
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 real izcd 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 111 conjunction with the accompanymg drawings, tn
which:
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FIC!. l illustrates the complete switch assembly according to an embodiment of the
present invention:
FICJ. 2 illustrates the differences between the conventional design and the design of the
present invention or the switch:
1·'1(1. ~illustrates the side view ofthc switch assembly according to an embodiment of the
present invention or the switch.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that clements in the drawings arc illustrated for simplicity
and have not ncccssari ly been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
clements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve
understanding or 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. lt should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the
particular rmms 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 arc showing only those specific details that arc pertinent to
understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with
dctai Is that '"ill he rcadi ly apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the
description herein.
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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
docs 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" docs not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence or other clements or additional clements in the apparatus. The following paragraphs
explain present invention with respect to a butt-type switch mechanism with sliding action. The
invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.
Accordingly. the present invention provides an improved butt type modular switch with
sliding action. for usc in vehicles, comprising: a knob assembly comprising spring, steel ball,
moving contact: a spring; a pressure strip being fixed with the housing assembly; said movmg
contact being housed in said knob with the help of fixing means; a plurality of terminals
comprising !irst and second terminals being fixed at the inner side of the housing of the said
modular sv,itch in such a way that in working condition, said moving contact acts as a contact
bridge which connects both said terminals.
According to another aspect ofthe present invention, the spring is a torsion spring.
According to yet another aspect ofthc present invention, the said fixing means is a screw
or insert molded !itting or snap fitting or riveting or fastncrs.
Y ct another aspect of the present invention, the said first and second terminals acts as a
negative and positive terminal.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the knob is pressed by the user,
moving contact touches both the terminals, the required circuit is established and flow of current
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takes place and to make the circuit continuously even in vibration condition, moving contact is
supported by said pressure strip.
Y ct another aspect o C the present invention, the pressure strip acts as a spring which
supports the moving contact to maintain its appropriate position.
/\ccording to another aspect of the present invention, the butt member and the leaf spring
strip arc so arranged that when the knob is in non-operational position with the help of steel ball
and spring. the huH member is far away from the fixed moving contact, and so that when the
knob is moved to operated position by the external force acting upon the butt member, the knob
is actuated by a directional force, e.g. a spring force, and a steel ball (or plunger) is assembled in
knob.
Yet another aspect of the present invention, the two members (moving contact and leaf
spring strip) and a detent profile in housing part arc responsible for OFF and ON position.
/\nothcr aspect of the present invention, when external force is applied on knob from
OF! to 0:\ position- the steel ball (or plunger) starts travel on housing detent Profile (w shape),
thus leading to compression of spring giving feel of operating force.
/\ccording to yet another aspect of the present invention, after reaching at top position on
detent profile steel ball (or plunger) cross the top position and slides at another position and
spring releases its energy and at this Position, the butt member makes contact with the fixed
contacts which arc held by the housing.
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According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the butt member is back
suppot1ed by leaf spring strip to give support and spring effect to butt member to make a proper
pressure and contact on butt member when contact is made.
According to another aspect of the present invention, after this, Knob is released and returns
to its non-operated position due to external directional force by vice versa mechanism.
Referring to Figs. L 2 and 3, the modular switch comprises a knob (1), a spring (2), steel
ball (3). a moving contact (8), pressure strip (9), two terminals (10, 11), plurality of fixing means
(4). hnusing (5) i.e. !irst terminal (10) and second terminal (11) and a spring. The said spring
may be a torsion spring. The knob assembly complete (a spring (2), steel ball (3), a moving
contact (8). pressure strip (9), fixing means (4)) arc snap fitted with housing assembly (6). The
moving contact (8) is housed in knob (1) with the help of the fixing means as illustrated in the
drawings. The !irst and second terminals (l 0, 11) arc fixed at inner side of the housing (5) of the
modular switch in such a way that in working condition moving contact act as a contact bridge
\vhich connects both the terminals (10, 11). The first and second terminals (10, 11) act as a
negative and a positive terminal. Therefore, when the knob (1) is pressed by the user, moving
contact (8) touches both the terminals (10, 11), the required circuit is established and current
!low takes place and to make the circuit continuously even in the vibration condition, moving
contact is supported by a pressure strip (9). This pressure strip (9) acts as a spring (put a required
pressure on moving contact when circuit is closed) which supports the moving contact (8) to
maintain its appropriate position. On releasing the pressure from the knob (1 ), moving contact
(8) moves apart f!·om the terminal and on both terminals.
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The switch according to the invention comprises a movable Knob (1) which carries a butt
member (VIoving contact (8)) and Leaf spring strip (9), these arc arranged to cooperate with a
locking member.
The butt member and the Leaf spring strip arc so arranged that when the knob (1) is in
non-operating position with help of steel ball (3) (or plunger) and the spring, the butt member is
far away from the fixed moving contact, and so that when the knob ( 1) is moved to operated
position by the external force acting upon the butt member, the knob (l) is actuated by a
directional force. e.g. a spring force, and a steel ball (or plunger) is assembled in knob ( 1 ).
These t\VO members (moving contact and leaf spring strip) and a detent profile in housing
part arc responsible for OFF and ON position.
When external force is applied on knob from OFF to ON position- the steel ball (or
plunger) starts travel on housing detent Profile (w shape), this leads to compression or spring
which gives feel of operating force. Arter reaching at top position on detent profile steel ball (or
plunger) cross the top position and slides at another position and spring releases its energy. At
this position, the butt member makes contact with the fixed contacts which arc held by housing
(5).
Then. the butt member is back supported by lear spring strip (9) to give support and
spring cf!Cct to butt mcm bcr to make a proper pressure and contact on butt member when contact
is made.
Aller this, Knob (I) is released and returns to its non-operated position due to external
directional force by vice versa mechanism.
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Advantages of the Present Invention
The main advantage of' the present invention is that the switch of the present invention
can be used for low current applications. There arc no leakages of current and there is excellent
mechanical strength for the internal module.
The advantages or the disclosed invention arc thus attained in an economical, practical,
and f~1cile 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 arc illustrative or the preferred nature and best mode of
practicing the invention, and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope or the
invention.

WE CLAIMS:
1. An improved butt type modular switch with sliding action, for use 111 vehicles,
comprising:
a knob assembly comprising spring, steel ball, moving contact;
a spnng;
a pressure strip being fixed with the knob assembly;
said moving contact being positioned in said knob with the help of fixing means;
a plurality of terminals comprising first and second terminals being fixed at the inner side
of the housing of the said modular switch in such a way that in working condition, said moving
contact acts as a contact bridge which connects both said terminals.
2. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said spring is a torsion spring.
3. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said fixing means is a screw or
insert molded fitting or snap fitting or riveting or fastners.
4 The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said first and second terminals
(T 1. T2) acts as a negative and positive terminal.
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5. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob is pressed by the user,
moving contact touches both the terminals, the required circuit is established and flow of current
takes place and to make the circuit continuously even in vibration condition, moving contact is
support~.:d by said pressure strip.
6. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure strip acts as a spring
which supports the moving contact to maintain its appropriate position.
7. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the butt member and the leaf spring
strip arc so arranged that when the knob is in non-operational position with the help of steel ball
and spring. the butt member is far away from the fixed moving contact, and so that when the
knob is moved to operated position by the external force acting upon the butt member, the knob
is actuated by a directional force, e.g. a spring force, and a steel ball (or plunger) is assembled in
knob.
8. !'he modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two members (moving contact
and leal' spring strip) and a detent profile in housing part arc responsible for OFF and ON
position.
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9. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein when external force is applied on
knob from 01·1 to 0\' position- the steel ball (or plunger) starts travel on housing detent Profile
(w shape). thus leading to compression of spring giving feel of operating force.
10. !'he modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein after reaching at top position on
detent profile steel ball (or plunger) cross the top position and slides at another position and
spring releases its energy and at this Position, the butt member makes contact with the fixed
contacts which arc held by the housing.
11. The modular switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Butt member is back supported by
leaf spring strip to give support and spring effect to butt member to make a proper pressure and
contact on butt member when contact is made.
12. The modular switch as claimed in claim 11, wherein after this, Knob is released and
returns to its non-operated position due to external directional force by vice versa mechanism.