The present disclosure generally relates to a push button switch for use in two wheeled
vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle or a multi-terrain vehicle. In particular, the disclosure
pertains to a pivotable push button switch that can be used as a horn switch or as a start
switch or as a pass switch, etc. in a two wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle or a multiterrain vehicle.
Background of the Invention:
Pivotable push button switches are provided in two wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles
and multi-terrain vehicles in the form of horn switches, start switches, pass switches, etc.
A traditional pivotable push button switch (10) is shown in Figure 1 and includes a knob (12)
which can be actuated by a user. The knob (12) is partially housed within a housing (14) and
upon actuation exhibits a pivotal movement with respect to a pivot axis (16). A coil spring
(18) is provided between the housing (14) and the knob (12) to provide a restoring force to
the knob (12). The housing (14) is provided with an input terminal (20) and an output
terminal (22). A bottom potion of knob (12) includes a moving contact element (24) that is in
constant electrical contacting relationship with the output terminal (22). Upon actuation, the
moving contact element (24) butts the input terminal (20) thereby providing an electrical path
between the input and the output terminals (20 and 22). This type of traditional, pivotable
push button switch is disclosed in Japanese Utility Patent No. JPS 59101334 having a
publication date of July 9, 1984.
Apart from the above, Japanese Patent No. JP3662659 discloses yet another traditional
pivotable push button switch that includes a knob which can be actuated by a user. The knob
is partially housed within the housing and upon actuation exhibits a pivotal movement with
respect to a pivot axis. A spring is provided between the housing and the knob to provide a
restoring force to the knob. The housing is provided with an input terminal and an output
terminal. A bottom potion of knob includes a moving contact element. In this case, the
moving contact element is NOT in constant electrical contacting relationship with either the
input terminal or the output terminal. In this case, a tip of the moving contact element has a
U-shaped bottom surface which upon actuation, butts the input and the output terminals
thereby providing an electrical path between the input and the output terminals. In this case,
the moving contact element in addition to merely butting the input and the output terminals,
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also slides over the input and the output terminals and thus, can be said to have a selfcleaning construction.
Apart from the above, Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 3663366 discloses a pivotable push
button switch contents of which are incorporated herein.
All of these switches have one or more disadvantages well known to a person skilled in the
art. Some of the disadvantages include the in-ability to provide satisfactory working over an
extended period of time, the in-ability to provide satisfactory level of protection against
ingress of foreign contaminants, use of large number of components, higher amount of time
needed for assembling and higher cost of the switch. Thus, there exists a need to provide an
improved switch that overcomes one or more disadvantages as mentioned above in relation to
the traditional constructions.
Summary of the Invention:
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is
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.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a pivotable push button switch (100), comprising
a housing (102) having an aperture (104) on a first wall (106) and a set of fixed contact
terminals (108) disposed within the housing (102). The pivotable push button switch (100)
further comprises a knob member (112) located completely outside the housing (102) and
coupled to an axis defining member (114) formed outside the housing (102). In an
embodiment of the invention the knob member (112) being adapted receive an actuating
force and exhibit pivotal movement with respect to an axis defining member (114).
The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a carrier (116) disposed within the
housing (102). In an embodiment of the invention, the carrier defines a plunger part (118) and
a moving contact member accommodating part (120). In an embodiment of the invention, the
plunger part (118) extends from the aperture (104) and is in contact with knob member (112).
The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a resilient member (122) disposed
between a third wall (124) of the housing (102) and the carrier (116). The resilient member
(122) is adapted to apply a restoration force on the carrier (116). Application of the actuating
4
force and the restoration force causes the carrier (116) to reciprocate between a first and a
second position within the housing (102).
The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a moving contact member (126)
disposed on moving contact terminal accommodating part (120) of the carrier (116). The
moving contact member (126) is adapted to establish electrical connection between the set of
fixed contact terminals (108) either at the first position or at the second position of the carrier
(116).
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 figures. It is appreciated that these figures 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 figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES:
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 figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates sectional view of a conventional pivotable push button switch;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a pivotable push button switch constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing member that forms part of the pivotable
push button switch in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a close-up sectional view of a part of the pivotable push button switch in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention particularly showing the attachment of
the sealing member with the housing and the plunger part of the carrier; and
Figure 5 illustrates a partially assembled view of the pivotable push button switch
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, wherein the housing is
made transparent so as to show internal parts of the pivotable push button switch.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow
5
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
figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures 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 exemplary and 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 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 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
6
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.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Now referring to Figure 2, there is provided an exploded view of the pivotable push button
switch (100) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The pivotable push
button switch (100) is specifically constructed for use in two wheeled vehicle or threewheeled vehicle or a multi-terrain vehicle. The pivotable push button switch can be used as a
horn switch or as a start switch or as a pass switch, etc. in a two wheeled vehicle or threewheeled vehicle or a multi-terrain vehicle. The pivotable push button switch (100) comprises
a housing (102) having an aperture (104) on a first wall (106) and a set of fixed contact
terminals (108) disposed within the housing (102).
The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a knob member (112) located
completely outside the housing (102) and coupled to an axis defining member (114) formed
outside the housing (102). In an embodiment of the invention the knob member (112) being
adapted receive an actuating force and exhibit pivotal movement with respect to an axis
defining member (114).
The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a carrier (116) disposed within the
housing (102). In an embodiment of the invention, the carrier defines a plunger part (118) and
a moving contact member accommodating part (120). In an embodiment of the invention, the
plunger part (118) extends from the aperture (104) and is in contact with knob member (112).
The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a resilient member (122) disposed
between a third wall (124) of the housing (102) and the carrier (116). The resilient member
(122) is adapted to apply a restoration force on the carrier (116). Application of the actuating
force and the restoration force causes the carrier (116) to reciprocate between a first and a
second position within the housing (102).
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The pivotable push button switch (100) further comprises a moving contact member (126)
disposed on moving contact terminal accommodating part (120) of the carrier (116). The
moving contact member (126) is adapted to establish electrical connection between the set of
fixed contact terminals (108) either at the first position or at the second position of the carrier
(116).
In an embodiment of the invention, the first wall (106) and the third wall (124) oppose each
other and the second wall (110) is substantially perpendicular to each of the first and the third
walls (106, 124).
In an embodiment of the invention, the sealing member (128) adapted to restrict entry of
foreign contaminants into the housing (102) via the aperture (104).
As best seen in Figure 3, which is a perspective view of the sealing member (128), the
sealing member (128) comprises a grommet member (130) and an attachment member (132),
the grommet member (130) being moulded with the attachment member (132).
As best seen from Figure 4, the sealing member (128) is attached to the housing (102) as
well as the plunger part (118) of the carrier (102). In particular, the attachment member (132)
gets attached with the housing (102) via a first snap-fit mechanism (134), while the grommet
member (130) is adapted to engage with the plunger part (118) of the carrier (116). In
particular, a top surface of the plunger part (118) is provided with a slot (136) and a second
snap fit mechanism (138) for coupling to the grommet member (130).
The aforesaid construction of the sealing member (128) provides a substantial ease in
assembling and reduces the efforts that are needed to assemble the sealing member (128) in
positional relationship to the aperture (104) in the housing (102).
As can be best seen from Figure 5, in an embodiment of the invention, the spring (122) is
located so as to be directly below the plunger part (118) of the carrier (116). By locating the
spring (122) directly below the plunger part (118), the direction of the restoration force is
suitably controlled. In particular, the direction of the restoration force is aligned with the
plunger part (118). As the plunger part (118) traverses through the aperture (104), the
direction of the restoration force is aligned with aperture (104). Because of the above,
caulking of the grommet member (130) is substantially avoided.
8
Referring back to Figure 2, in an embodiment of the invention, the housing may include a
case part and a base part which co-operate together to form the housing. In particular, the
case part may have an open bottom and the base part may be attached to said open bottom of
the case. The base part may act as the third wall of the housing (102). The base part may
include apertures and the set of fixed contact terminals (108) may protrude into the housing
(102) via the apertures. In an embodiment of the invention, the set of fixed contact terminals
(108) may be moulded together with the base part. In an embodiment of the invention, the set
of fixed contact terminals (108) may project perpendicularly from the base part. In an
embodiment of the invention, the second wall (110) may form part of the base plate. The set
of fixed contact terminals (108) may be exposed on the second wall (110).
The moving contact terminal (126) faces the second wall (110) and is in contact with the
second wall (110). When the moving contact member (126) moves between the first and the
second positions, it slides over the set of fixed contact terminals, thereby removing any oxide
layer formed thereupon. Thus, a self-cleaning action is attained.
Advantages of the invention:
Without wanting to the restricted to any particular theory or hypothesis, it has been observed
that a pivotable push button switch constructed in accordance with the embodiments
described above provides one or more of the following advantages:
• The pivotable push button switch provides a very high level of protection against
ingress of foreign contaminants;
• The pivotable push button switch is a self-cleaning type;
• The number of components used for construction of the pivotable push button switch
is less;
• In addition to the number of components being less, the pivotable push button switch
can be assembled in an assembly line very easily and very less amount of time period;
• Since the number of components is less, the size of the pivotable push button switch is
comparable to the traditional pivotable push button switches; and
• It is envisaged that factors such as less number of parts, the manufacturing process
being simpler, the manufacturing process requiring less amount of time, etc. would
contribute to making the pivotable push button switch more cost effective.
9
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. The figures 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. For example, orders of processes described herein may be
changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. 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 pivotable push button switch (100), comprising:
a housing (102) having an aperture (104) on a first wall (106) and a set of
fixed contact terminals (108) disposed within the housing (102);
a knob member (112) located completely outside the housing (102) and
coupled to an axis defining member (114) formed outside the housing (102), the knob
member (112) being adapted receive an actuating force and exhibit pivotal movement
with respect to an axis defining member (114);
a carrier (116) disposed within the housing (102), the carrier defining a
plunger part (118) and a moving contact member accommodating part (120), the
plunger part (118) extending from the aperture (104) and being in contact with knob
member (112);
a resilient member (122) disposed between a third wall (124) of the housing
(102) and the carrier (116) for applying a restoration force on the carrier (116), the
actuating force and the restoration force causing the carrier (116) to reciprocate
between a first and a second position within the housing (102); and
a moving contact member (126) disposed on moving contact terminal
accommodating part (120) of the carrier (116), the moving contact member (126)
establishes electrical connection between the set of fixed contact terminals (108)
either at the first position or at the second position of the carrier (116).
2. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wall (106)
and the third wall (124) oppose each other; and the second wall (110) is substantially
perpendicular to each of the first and the third walls (106, 124).
3. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring (122) is
located so as to be directly below the plunger part (118) of the carrier (116).
4. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 1, comprising a sealing member
(128) adapted to restrict entry of foreign contaminants into the housing (102) via the
aperture (104).
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5. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sealing member
(128) comprises a grommet member (130) and an attachment member (132), the
grommet member (130) being moulded with the attachment member (132).
6. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein the attachment
member (132) is adapted to engage with the housing (102) via a first snap-fit
mechanism (134).
7. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grommet
member (130) is adapted to engage with the plunger part (118) of the carrier (116).
8. The pivotable push button switch as claimed in claim 7, wherein a top surface of the
plunger part (118) is provided with a slot (136) and a second snap fit mechanism
(138) for coupling to the grommet member (130).