Field of the Invention:
The present disclosure relates to an automobile switch. More particularly the present
disclosure relates to a push button switch which is configured to operate at different levels of
current flow including, ultra-low level of current flow. The push button switch is particularly
configured as a clutch switch or as a brake switch.
Description of the Prior Art:
A push button switch is generally used in an automobile as a clutch switch or as a brake
switch. However, the construction of the conventional push button switch that is used as a
clutch switch or a brake switch is such that they are not fit to operate at ultra-low level of
current flow. Thus, there exists a need to provide a push button switch which is configured to
operate at different levels of current flow including, ultra-low level of current flow for use as
a clutch switch or as a brake switch in automobiles.
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 push button switch
comprising a body defining a first open end and a second open end opposing the first open
end. The push button switch further comprises a base adapted to close the second open end
of the body. The push button switch further comprises plunger is adapted to exhibit
movement with respect to the base. The push button switch further comprises a resilient
member adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger. The plunger defines a first end and
a second end opposing the first end. The second end of the plunger is accommodated within
the body and is provided with a pair of plunger arms. The pair of plunger arms is adapted to
receive a pair of moving contact terminals. The base defines an inner surface locatable inside
the body. The inner surface is provided with a pair of base arms. The pair of base arms is
adapted to face the pair of plunger arms. The pair of base arms is adapted to receive a pair of
fixed contact terminals. The pair of moving contact terminals is adapted to selectively come
in contact with the pair of fixed contact terminals to define a current flow path through the
push button switch.
3
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 an exploded view of the push button switch in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a semi-transparent view of the push button switch in an assembled state in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up view of the push button switch in an electrically conducting
state; and
Figure 4 illustrates a close-up view of the push button switch in an electrically nonconducting
state.
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.
4
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
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.
5
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Referring to Figure 1 which is an exploded view of the push button switch (1) and Figure 2,
which is a semi-transparent view of the push button switch in an assembled state, the push
button switch (1) comprises a body (2). The body (2) defines a first open end (21) and a
second open end (22) opposing the first open end (21).
The push button switch (1) further comprises a base (3) adapted to close the second open end
(22) of the body (2). The push button switch (1) further comprises plunger (4) is adapted to
exhibit movement with respect to the base (3). The push button switch further comprises a
resilient member (5) adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger (4). The plunger (4)
defines a plunger first end (41) and a plunger second end (42). The plunger second end (42)
opposes the plunger first end (41). The plunger second end (42) is accommodated within the
body (2) and is provided with a pair of plunger arms (43, 44). The pair of plunger arms (43,
44) is adapted to receive a pair of moving contact terminals (61, 62). The base (3) defines an
inner surface (31) locatable inside the body (2). The inner surface (31) is provided with a pair
of base arms (32, 33). The pair of base arms (32, 33) is adapted to face the pair of plunger
arms (43, 44). The pair of base arms (32, 33) is adapted to receive a pair of fixed contact
terminals (71, 72). The pair of moving contact terminals (61, 62) is adapted to selectively
come in contact with the pair of fixed contact terminals (71, 72) to define a current flow path
through the push button switch (1).
In an embodiment, the plunger second end (42) is further provided with a first shaft member
(45). The first shaft member (45) is adapted to receive a first end (51) of the resilient member
(5).
In an embodiment, the inner surface (31) of the base (3) is further provided with a second
shaft member (34). The second shaft member (34) faces the first shaft member (45) as
provided in the plunger (4). The second shaft member (34) is adapted to receive a second end
(52) of the resilient member (5).
In an embodiment, the push button switch further comprises a grommet (8) adapted to be
received by the first end (21) of the body (2).
6
In an embodiment, the pair of moving contact terminals (61; 62) includes a first moving
contact terminal (61) and a second moving contact terminal (62). The first moving contact
terminal (61) defines a first end (63) and a second end (64) opposing the first end (63).
Likewise, the second moving contact terminal (62) defines a first end (65) and a second end
(66) opposing the first end (65). The second end (64) of the first moving contact terminal (61)
is electrically shorted with the second end (66) of the second moving contact terminal (62).
In an embodiment, the pair of plunger arms (43; 44) includes a first plunger arm (43) adapted
to receive the second end (64) of the first moving contact terminal (61) and a second plunger
arm (44) adapted to receive the second end (66) of the second moving contact terminal (62).
In an embodiment, the pair of fixed contact terminals (71; 72) includes a first fixed contact
terminal (71) and a second fixed contact terminal (72). The first fixed contact terminal (71)
defines a first end (73) and a second end (74) opposing the first end (73). Likewise, the
second fixed contact terminal (72) defines a first end (75) and a second end (76) opposing the
first end (75). The second end (74) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) is adapted to be
connected to external wiring and likewise, the second end (76) of the second fixed contact
terminal (72) is adapted to be connected to the external wiring.
In an embodiment, the pair of base arms (32; 33) includes a first base arm (32) adapted to
receive the second end (74) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) and a second base arm (33)
adapted to receive the second end (76) of the second fixed contact terminal (72).
In an embodiment, the first end (63) of the first moving contact terminal (61) is non-planar
with regard to the second end (64) of the first moving contact terminal (61). Likewise, the
first end (65) of the second moving contact terminal (62) is non-planar with regard to the
second end (66) of the second moving contact terminal (62).
In an embodiment, the first end (73) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) is non-planar with
regard to the second end (74) of the first fixed contact terminal (71). Likewise, the first end
(75) of the second fixed contact terminal (72) is non-planar with regard to the second end
(76) of the second fixed contact terminal (72).
Referring to Figure 3, in an embodiment, the first end (63) of the first moving contact
terminal (61) is adapted to selectively come in contact with first end (73) of the first fixed
contact terminal (71) and likewise, the first end (65) of the second moving contact terminal
7
(62) is adapted to selectively come in contact with first end (75) of the second fixed contact
terminal (72) to define a current flow path through the push button switch.
Referring to Figure 4, in an embodiment, the first end (63) of the first moving contact
terminal (61) is adapted to selectively come in contact with the first base arm (32). Although
not visible, likewise, the first end (65) of the second moving contact terminal (62) is adapted
to selectively come in contact with the second base arm (33) to define an electrically nonconducting
state of the push button switch.
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 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.
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 push button switch, comprising:
a body (2) defining a first open end (21) and a second open end (22) opposing the first
open end (21);
a base (3) adapted to close the second open end (22) of the body (2);
a plunger (4) adapted to exhibit movement with respect to the base (3);
a resilient member (5) adapted to apply a restoring force on the plunger (4);
the plunger (4) defining a plunger first end (41) and a plunger second end (42) with
the plunger second end (42) opposing the plunger first end (41);
the plunger second end (42) being provided with a pair of plunger arms (43, 44);
the pair of plunger arms (43, 44) being adapted to receive a pair of moving contact
terminals (61, 62);
the base (3) defining an inner surface (31) locatable inside the body (2);
the inner surface (31) being provided with a pair of base arms (32, 33);
the pair of base arms (32, 33) being adapted to face the pair of plunger arms (43, 44);
the pair of base arms (32, 33) being adapted to receive a pair of fixed contact
terminals (71, 72);
the pair of moving contact terminals (61, 62) being adapted to selectively come in
contact with the pair of fixed contact terminals (71, 72) to define a current flow path
through the push button switch (1).
2. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger second end (42) is
further provided with a first shaft member (45), the first shaft member (45) being
adapted to receive a first end (51) of the resilient member (5).
3. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner
surface (31) of the base (3) is further provided with a second shaft member (34), the
second shaft member (34) faces the first shaft member (45) as provided in the plunger
(4), with the second shaft member (34) being adapted to receive a second end (52) of
the resilient member (5).
4. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push button switch further
comprises a grommet (8) adapted to be received by the first end (21) of the body (2).
9
5. The push button switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of moving contact
terminals (61; 62) includes a first moving contact terminal (61) and a second moving
contact terminal (62) with the first moving contact terminal (61) defining a first end
(63) and a second end (64) opposing the first end (63) and the second moving contact
terminal (62) defining a first end (65) and a second end (66) opposing the first end
(65), with the second end (64) of the first moving contact terminal (61) being
electrically shorted with the second end (66) of the second moving contact terminal
(62).
6. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein:
the pair of plunger arms (43; 44) includes a first plunger arm (43) adapted to receive
the second end (64) of the first moving contact terminal (61) and a second plunger
arm (44) adapted to receive the second end (66) of the second moving contact
terminal (62); and
the pair of base arms (32; 33) includes a first base arm (32) adapted to receive the
second end (74) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) and a second base arm (33)
adapted to receive the second end (76) of the second fixed contact terminal (72).
7. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pair of
fixed contact terminals (71; 72) includes a first fixed contact terminal (71) and a
second fixed contact terminal (72) with the first fixed contact terminal (71) defining a
first end (73) and a second end (74) opposing the first end (73) and the second fixed
contact terminal (72) defining a first end (75) and a second end (76) opposing the first
end (75) with the second end (74) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) being
adapted to be connected to external wiring and the second end (76) of the second
fixed contact terminal (72) being adapted to be connected to external wiring.
8. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein:
the first end (63) of the first moving contact terminal (61) is non-planar with regard to
the second end (64) of the first moving contact terminal (61); and
the first end (65) of the second moving contact terminal (62) is non-planar with regard
to the second end (66) of the second moving contact terminal (62);
the first end (73) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) is non-planar with regard to
the second end (74) of the first fixed contact terminal (71); and
10
the first end (75) of the second fixed contact terminal (72) is non-planar with regard to
the second end (76) of the second fixed contact terminal (72).
9. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
end (63) of the first moving contact terminal (61) is adapted to selectively come in
contact with first end (73) of the first fixed contact terminal (71) and likewise, the first
end (65) of the second moving contact terminal (62) is adapted to selectively come in
contact with first end (75) of the second fixed contact terminal (72) to define a current
flow path through the push button switch.
10. The push button switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
end (63) of the first moving contact terminal (61) is adapted to selectively come in
contact with the first base arm (32) and likewise, the first end (65) of the second
moving contact terminal (62) is adapted to selectively come in contact with the
second base arm (33) to define an electrically non-conducting state of the push button
switch.