The present disclosure relates to two-wheeler vehicles and particularly relates to a side stand switch assembly of such two-wheeler vehicles.

BACKGROUND

A side stand is used in a two-wheeler vehicle to support the vehicle in a tilt-position for parking the vehicle when stationary. The side stand is pivotally secured to a body of the vehicle, for example, by a bracket. When a driver is riding the vehicle, the side stand is maintained at an up position or a resting position.

Several switches or systems are used to detect a position of the side stand and accordingly to generate an alert signal to the driver, for example, if the stand is in the down position while riding. In fact, there are switches which are connected to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle and ensure that the engine starts only when the side stand is in the up position.

Generally, a side stand switch assembly includes a rotating member with a moving contact and a stationary member with a fix contact. The stationary member is rigidly secured with the bracket or the frame of the vehicle and the rotating member is connected to a pivotal lever of the side stand. The rotating member may be connected to the pivotal lever through a pin. The rotating movement of the rotating member with respect to the stationary member makes or breaks the contact between the moving contact and the fixed contact, depending on which that engine would start.

For example, when the vehicle is in the stationary position and the side stand is in the down position, the moving contact of the rotating member is away from the fixed contact of the stationary member and therefore, the circuit is open. Accordingly, the engine of the vehicle cannot be started. Now, when the side stand is moved to be in the up position, the rotating member is moved to connect the moving contact with the fixed contact thereby indicating the ECU to start the engine. In one example, when the side stand is moved to the up position, after some defined angle, for example, after at least 80 degree angle with respect to the down position, the moving contact connects with the fixed contact and produces a signal to start the engine.

Generally, the side stand switch assembly experiences the torque during the mounting on the vehicle, for example, due to tightening of mounting bolts. Currently, the components of the side stand switch assembly bear the load of the tightening of the bolts during the mounting. For example, the rotating member may absorb the resultant torque. This would lead to the possibility of damage to the components of the side stand switch assembly, leading to an increase in the operational cost as well. Therefore, the existing switch assemblies do not have any reliable mounting mechanism, as the switch assemblies are prone to frequent deformation due to the torque and the load transfer. Further, the existing switch assemblies are not suitable for extremely high vibrations as well.

Furthermore, the existing switch assemblies include a single pin for translating the pivotal movement of the side stand to the rotational movement of the rotating member. In case the single pin is damaged, the entire operation of the switch assembly is compromised, and the engine would start even when the side stand is in the down position. Therefore, the entire operation of the side stand switch assembly is too dependent on the single pin. Moreover, the overall construction of the switch assemblies is not robust.

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 intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a side stand switch assembly for a two-wheeler vehicle is disclosed. The side stand switch assembly includes a body having a fixed contact, a carrier complete adapted to be rotatably disposed in the body and including a moving contact, and a stand bolt adapted to couple a side stand on a mounting plate of a frame of the vehicle and having a first slot. A sub-assembly of the body and the carrier complete is adapted to be mounted on the side stand such that the first slot of the stand bolt aligns with a second slot of the sub-assembly. The assembly includes a collar bolt adapted to couple the sub-assembly on the side stand. The collar bolt includes a bottom portion adapted to be inserted through the first slot and the second slot, and a head portion formed on the bottom portion and adapted to be restricted by a top surface of the body when the bottom portion is inserted into the first slot and the second slot.

In an embodiment, the assembly also includes a pair of pins adapted to connect the sub-assembly of the body and the carrier complete with a side stand of the vehicle, such that a pivotal movement of the side stand is translated to a rotation of the carrier complete within the body. The carrier complete is rotated within the body such that the moving contact connects with the fixed contact, transmitting a signal to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) indicative of the connection, when the side stand is pivotally moved to be in an up position.

In an embodiment, the carrier complete is rotated within the body such that the moving contact moves away from the fixed contact, when the side stand is pivotally moved to be in a down position.

In an embodiment, the collar bolt is inserted through the first slot and the second slot such that a first predefined gap is maintained between the bottom portion of the collar bolt and an inner surface of the carrier complete.

In an embodiment, the collar bolt is inserted through the first slot and the second slot such that a second predefined gap is formed between the head portion of the collar bolt and a top surface of the body.

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 1A illustrates an exploded view of a portion of a side stand switch assembly for a two-wheeler vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1B illustrates a perspective view of a terminal mesh complete of the side stand switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1C illustrates a perspective view of a carrier complete of the side stand switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of pins of the side stand switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view depicting assembly of the side stand switch assembly with the side stand, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the side stand switch assembly when mounted on the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5A illustrates a cross sectional view depicting a second predefined gap formed between a collar bolt and a body of the side stand switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting position of a washer disposed between the carrier complete and a stand bolt when the sub-assembly is mounted on the side stand, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily 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.

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 nonexclusive 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 subsystems 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.

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1A illustrates an exploded view of a portion of a side stand switch assembly 100 for a two-wheeler vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, the side stand switch assembly 100 may hereinafter interchangeably be referred to as the switch assembly 100.

The switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a body 102 and a carrier complete 104 adapted to be rotatably disposed in the body 102. The body 102 may include a fixed contact 106 and the carrier complete 104 may include a moving contact 108. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may include a terminal mesh complete 110 having the fixed contact 106 and adapted to be disposed in the body 102. Figure 1B illustrates a perspective view of the terminal mesh complete 110, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B, in an embodiment, the fixed contact 106 may be insert molded with the body 102, i.e., with the terminal mesh complete 110.

The switch assembly 100 may also include and a pair of pins 112 adapted to connect a sub-assembly of the body 102 and the carrier complete 104 with a side stand 302 of the vehicle. Figure 1C illustrates a perspective view of the carrier complete 104, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the moving contact 108 may be insert molded with the carrier complete 104. In an embodiment, the moving contact 108 may be insert molded at an outer surface 122 of the carrier complete 104. Similarly, the pins 112 may also be insert molded with the carrier complete 104.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the pins 112, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the width of the pins 112 is constant from the top to the bottom. In an embodiment, one 112-1 of the pins 112 may be smaller than the other 112-2. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, while the illustrated embodiments include two pins 112, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to two pins 112. In other embodiments, the number of pins 112 may vary depending on constructional and operational requirements of the switch assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 1A, Figure 1B, Figure 1C, and Figure 2, the connection of the sub-assembly of the body 102 and the carrier complete 104 with the side stand 302 would be such that a pivotal movement of the side stand 302 is translated to a rotation of the carrier complete 104 within the body 102. In an embodiment, the carrier complete 104 may be rotated within the body 102 such that the moving contact 108 connects with the fixed contact 106, when the side stand 302 is pivotally moved to be in an up position. In an embodiment, the connection of the moving contact 108 with the fixed contact 106 may initiate transmission of a signal to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The signal may be indicative of the connection, further indicating that the engine can now be started.

In an alternate embodiment, the carrier complete 104 may be rotated within the body 102 such that the moving contact 108 moves away from the fixed contact 106, when the side stand 302 is pivotally moved to be in a down position.

In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may include a support plate 114 adapted to accommodate the rotation of the carrier complete 104 within the body 102 when the side stand 302 is pivotally moved. Further, the switch assembly 100 may also include at least one seal disposed at an interface between the body 102 and the carrier complete 104. For example, the switch assembly 100 may include a first seal 116 and a second seal 118 for sealing the interface of the body 102 and the carrier complete 104.

In an embodiment, when the components shown in Figure 1A are assembled, a slot 316, also referred to as second slot 316, is formed in the sub-assembly. The second slot 316 is adapted to facilitate mounting of the switch assembly 100 on the vehicle, as explained in subsequent description. Further, in an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may include a cover 126 for covering the sub-assembly so formed.

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view depicting assembly of the switch assembly 100 with the side stand 302, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the switch assembly 100 when mounted on the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 3, and Figure 4, in an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may include a stand bolt 304 adapted to couple the side stand 302 on a mounting plate 306 of a frame of the vehicle. The stand bolt 304 along with a nut 412 may ensure coupling of the side stand 302 with the mounting plate 306.

The stand bolt 304 may include a first slot 308. As illustrated, the sub-assembly of the body 102 and the carrier complete 104 may be adapted to be mounted on the side stand 302 such that the first slot 308 of the stand bolt 304 aligns with the second slot 316 of the sub-assembly.

Further, the switch assembly 100 may include a collar bolt 310 adapted to couple the sub-assembly on the side stand 302. The collar bolt 310 may include a bottom portion 312 and a head portion 314 formed on the bottom portion 312. The bottom portion 312 may be adapted to be inserted through the first slot 308 and the second slot 316. Further, the head portion 314 may be adapted to be restricted by a top surface 402 of the body 102 when the bottom portion 312 is inserted into the first slot 308 and the second slot 316. In an embodiment, the collar bolt 310 may be adapted to rotate along with the carrier complete 104 when the side stand 302 is pivotally moved.

In an embodiment, the collar bolt 310 may be inserted through the first slot 308 and the second slot 316 such that a first predefined gap 404 is maintained between the bottom portion 312 of the collar bolt 310 and an inner surface 406 of the carrier complete 104. Therefore, the collar bolt 310 is not in contact with other components, such as the carrier complete 104. Consequently, during the insertion or tightening of the collar bolt 310, any damage to the surrounding components is avoided. For example, bulging of the carrier complete 104 is avoided as it is not in contact with the collar bolt 310.

Accordingly, the load experienced during the mounting of the switch assembly 100 on the vehicle and the resultant torque are borne by the collar bolt 310. For example, during the tightening of the collar bolt 310 during the mounting, the total load transfer would be through the collar bolt 310 itself and therefore, the collar bolt 310 may act as the torque receiving member, avoiding load on any other component.

In an embodiment, the collar bolt 310 may be inserted through the first slot 308 and the second slot 316 such that a second predefined gap 502 is formed between the head portion 314 of the collar bolt 310 and the top surface 402 of the body 102. Figure 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting the second predefined gap 502 formed between the collar bolt 310 and the body 102 of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an example, the second predefined gap 502 may be of 0.1 mm, as illustrated in Figure 5. The collar bolt 310 may adapted to rotate along with the carrier complete 104, in response to movement of the side stand 302. Considering the second predefined gap 502 between the collar bolt 310 and the body 102, the possibility of any undesired friction of the collar bolt 310 with the body 102 during rotation is eliminated.

In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may include a washer 124 adapted to be disposed between the carrier complete 104 and a top surface 410 of the stand bolt 304 when the sub-assembly is mounted to the side stand 302. Figure 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting position of the washer 124 disposed between the carrier complete 104 and the stand bolt 304 when the sub-assembly is mounted on the side stand 302, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the washer 124 may be formed of rubber. In an embodiment, the carrier complete 104 may be formed of plastic and therefore during the tightening, the rotor may be deformed. In order to avoid that possibility, the washer 124 is positioned between the carrier complete 104 and the stand bolt 304.

As would be gathered, the switch assembly 100 of the present disclosure has a more durable, robust, and rigid structure as compared to the existing switches. An overall construction of the switch assembly 100 is also simple. In the existing switches, the torque is borne by the components of the switch itself, for example, during the tightening of the collar bolt. In some cases, the carrier complete of the existing switches may act as the torque receiving member. Accordingly, the switches had to be replaced frequently. In the proposed switch assembly 100, the load is borne by the collar bolt 310 itself and is not transmitted to any other component of the switch assembly 100. This is due to the first predefined gap 404 formed between the collar bolt 310 and the inner surface 406 of the carrier complete 104.

As a result, the possibility of deformation of the switch assembly 100 is eliminated. The proposed structure would allow the switch assembly 100 to be used in the extremely high vibration conditions as well. Further, the provision of the second predefined gap 502 eliminates the possibility of undesired friction between the collar bolt 310 and the body 102, due to the rotation of the collar bolt 310. Therefore, any damage to the collar bolt 310 and the body 102 is avoided.

Moreover, considering the provision of multiple pins 112, even in case of damage of one of the pins 112, the operation of the switch assembly 100 would not be hampered. Further, the washer 124 is compressed to accommodate the specific gap between the carrier complete 104 and the collar bolt 310 and act as a damper to avoid loosening of the carrier complete 104. As a result, the washer 124 along with the collar bolt 310 will bear the load and the resultant torque. Therefore, the switch assembly 100 of the present disclosure is simple, durable, cost-effective, and operation-effective.

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 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

A side stand switch assembly (100) for a two-wheeler vehicle, comprising:
a body (102) having a fixed contact (106);
a carrier complete (104) adapted to be rotatably disposed in the body (102) and comprising a moving contact (108);
a stand bolt (304) adapted to couple a side stand (302) on a mounting plate (306) of a frame of the vehicle and comprising a first slot (308), wherein a sub-assembly of the body (102) and the carrier complete (104) is adapted to be mounted on the side stand (302) such that the first slot (308) of the stand bolt (304) aligns with a second slot (316) of the sub-assembly; and
a collar bolt (310) adapted to couple the sub-assembly on the side stand (302), the collar bolt (310) comprising:
a bottom portion (312) adapted to be inserted through the first slot (308) and the second slot (316); and
a head portion (314) formed on the bottom portion (312) and adapted to be restricted by a top surface (402) of the body (102) when the bottom portion (312) is inserted into the first slot (308) and the second slot (316).

2. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a pair of pins (112) adapted to connect the sub-assembly of the body (102) and the carrier complete (104) with the side stand (302) of the vehicle, such that a pivotal movement of the side stand (302) is translated to a rotation of the carrier complete (104) within the body (102),
wherein and the carrier complete (104) is rotated within the body (102) such that the moving contact (108) connects with the fixed contact (106), transmitting a signal to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) indicative of the connection, when the side stand (302) is pivotally moved to be in an up position.

3. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the carrier complete (104) is rotated within the body (102) such that the moving contact (108) moves away from the fixed contact (106), when the side stand (302) is pivotally moved to be in a down position.

4. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar bolt (310) is inserted through the first slot (308) and the second slot (316) such that a first predefined gap (404) is maintained between the bottom portion (312) of the collar bolt (310) and an inner surface (406) of the carrier complete (104).

5. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar bolt (310) is inserted through the first slot (308) and the second slot (316) such that a second predefined gap (502) is formed between the head portion (314) of the collar bolt (310) and a top surface (402) of the body (102).

6. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the collar bolt (310) is adapted to rotate along with the carrier complete (104) when the side stand (302) is pivotally moved.

7. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a washer (124) adapted to be disposed between the carrier complete (104) and a top surface (410) of the stand bolt (304) when the sub-assembly is mounted to the side stand (302).

8. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed contact (106) and the moving contact (108) are insert molded with the body (102) and the carrier complete (104), respectively.

9. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of pins (112) is insert-molded to the carrier complete (104).

10. The side stand switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising:
at least one seal (116, 118) disposed at an interface between the body (102) and the carrier complete (104); and
a support plate (114) adapted to accommodate the rotation of the carrier complete (104) within the body (102) when the side stand (302) is pivotally moved.