FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
" ROTARY TYPE AUOMOTIVE SWITCH "
MINDA INDUSTRIES LIMITED of Village Nawada Fatehpur, P.O. Sikanderpur Badda, Manesar Distt. Gurgaon,
Haryana -122004
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switch assembly for automotive vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a rotary type automotive switch for detecting condition of various operating appliances of two/ three wheelers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, two/ three wheeled vehicles are provided with control switches which determine the conditions of various operating appliances such as clutch, side-stand etc. In one case, when the control switch is connected to a side-stand, the control switch determines whether the side-stand is in a horizontal position or in a vertical position. In another case, when the control switch is connected to a clutch, the control switch determines whether the clutch is in fully pressed condition, half pressed condition or released condition.
Conventionally, plunger type control switches are used in vehicles. Figure 1A, IB, 1C and ID illustrate an overview of conventional plunger type switch assembly. In one embodiment the switch assembly is mounted along with the operating appliance of the two wheeled or three wheeled vehicle.
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of a conventional plunger type switch assembly. In one embodiment, the electrical connection between two fixed contacts 20 is made by a moving contact 22 mounted on a carrier 24. The carrier 24 is attached to a plunger which is further connected to a cam. The cam is attached to the operating appliances such as side stand or clutch. The plunger gets linear motion from the movement of operating appliances such as side stand or clutch. Due to low current application, the contact area between the fixed and moving contacts has to be kept sealed 28 in order to prevent entry of water, dust and other contaminations.
Figure 3 illustrates phenomenon of air and water sucking by the conventional switch. The

switch assembly is exposable to dust, mud and water which reduces the life cycle of the switch assembly. The switch is an open module and sealing is difficult because of linear motion of the carrier/plunger. The contact terminal of the switch is fixed on the bottom side which results in deposition of carbon and dust particle on the face of the fixed contact. Hence, the conventional switch is inefficient as it allows intake of water, air and other contaminants due to plunger movement.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a control switch assembly with rotary actuation of carrier by a lever holder, thus ensuring proper sealing and enhanced life of the switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to relates to a rotary type automotive switch for detecting condition of various operating appliances of two/ three wheelers.According to an embodiment of the present invention, a switch assembly for two-wheelers comprises a lever, a pivot element attached to the lever, a moving contact connected to the pivot element via a carrier, and at least one fixed contact disposed such that the moving contact makes/ breaks contact with the fixed contact upon rotation of the lever.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure IA, IB, 1C and ID illustrate an overview of conventional plunger type switch assembly.

Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of a conventional plunger type switch assembly.
Figure 3 illustrates phenomenon of air and water sucking by the conventional switch.
Figures 4 and Figure 5 illustrate an overview of the rotary switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a sectional top view of the rotary switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 A and 7B illustrate a sectional view of the rotary switch assembly according to different embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate detailed views of various components of the clutch switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates sectional view of switch showing double wall casing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 illustrates a schematic overview of side stand along with the switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates different angles of the side stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 illustrates the operation of switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 illustrates a table illustrating various operating conditions of the switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 illustrates the working of switch at various angles of clutch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a switch assembly for automotive vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a rotary type automotive switch for detecting condition of various operating appliances of two/ three wheelers.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a switch assembly for two-wheelers comprises a lever, a pivot element attached to the lever, a moving contact connected to the pivot element via a carrier, and at least one fixed contact disposed such that the moving contact makes/ breaks contact with the fixed contact upon rotation of the lever.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the moving contact is fixed inside the carrier such that the carrier and the moving contact move together in an angular direction.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier, the moving contact and the at least one fixed contact are fully encased by a body and the pivot element is partially encased by the said body.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the body is provided with an aperture through which an end of the pivot element is disposed into the said body.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the pivot element is attached to the lever via an attachment means, said attachment means comprises a screw, a washer and a spring washer.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a sealing element is provided on the inner surface of the body such that the said element is located in a gap between the pivot element and the aperture of the body.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the body is divided into a lower case and an upper case, said lower case and upper case are tightly sealed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises an inner case and an outer case, said inner case and outer case are provided with a clearance between them.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the fixed contact is riveted in a base and the base is insert molded with the case lower.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the fixed contact is directly insert molded with the case lower.
Figures 4 and Figure 5 illustrate an overview of the rotary switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment the switch is mounted along with the side stand of the vehicle. The switch determines whether the side stand is in horizontal position or vertical position. In another embodiment, the switch is mounted along with the clutch on the handle bar of the vehicle. The switch determines whether the clutch is in fully pressed, half pressed or released condition. The switch is disposed upside down to avoid accumulation of particles on the base due to force of gravity.
Figure 6 illustrates a sectional top view of the rotary switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, a pin 600 is pivotally attached to a carrier 602 which carries the moving contact. The carrier 602 along with the moving contact moves in an angular direction on the circular track 604. The fixed contacts are disposed on the case lower 606 of the switch.
Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the rotary switch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the switch assembly comprises a lever with one end of the lever attached to an operating appliance such as side stand or clutch of the vehicle. The other end of the lever is connected to a pivot pin 600 via an attachment means such as a screw, a washer and a spring washer. The pivot pin 600 is then attached to a moving contact 700 with the help of a carrier 602. The moving contacts 700 are fixed in the carrier 602 such that when the lever is rotated, the carrier 602 and the moving contact 700 move in an angular direction. Further, the switch assembly comprises at least one fixed contact 702. The at least one fixed contact 702 is disposed in such a way that the moving contact 700 makes/ breaks contact with the fixed contact 702 upon rotation of the lever. A spring 704 is provided beneath the moving contacts 700 which maintains the contact between the moving and fixed contact The carrier 602, the moving contact 700 and the at least one fixed contact 702 are fully encased by a body and the pivot pin 600 is partially encased by the said body. The body is provided with an aperture through which an end of the pivot pin 600 is disposed into the said body. Further, a sealing element 706 such as rubber seal is provided on the inner surface of the body such that the said element 704 is located in a gap between the pivot element and the aperture of the body. The body of the switch assembly comprises of case lower 708 and case upper 710 which are sealed by ultrasonic welding using rubber material to avoid the entry of water into the switch. The sealing avoids accumulation of water/dust into the case. The body, carrier and pivot pin is made up of material such as resin. In one embodiment, the at least one fixed contact 702 is riveted in a base 712 made of high heat resistance material and the material is then insert molded with case lower (as illustrated in Fig. 7A). In another embodiment, the at least one fixed contact 702 is directly insert molded in the case lower 4 (as illustrated in Fig. 7B).
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate detailed views of various components of the clutch switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 A illustrates the rotary seal 706 is provided around the pivot pin to ensure proper sealing of the switch and avoid the friction. This sealing does not allow entry of water, dust and other contaminants into the switch. Figure 8B illustrates the sealing of case lower 708 and case upper 710 for water protection. The case lower 708 and case upper 710 are sealed by ultrasonic welding using

a rubber material. As shown in Fig 9, a spring washer 900 is provided for attaching lever to the pivot pin. A bearing 'x' is provided for improved rotational function.
Figure 10 illustrates sectional view of switch showing double walled casing according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the body is made of two parts, i.e. an inner part 1002 and an outer part 1004. The inner part 1002 and the outer part 1004 of the body are separated by a gap between them 1006. This arrangement protects the inner part 1002 and the switch from getting damaged due to accidents such as stone hitting etc.
Figure 11 illustrates a schematic overview of side stand 1102 along with the switch 1104 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the side stand switch 1104 is attached with the side stand 1102 on the vehicle using a fastening means 1106 such as bolt. The switch 1104 determines whether the side stand 1102 is in horizontal position i.e. off position 1108 or vertical position i.e. on position 1110. When the side stand is in vertical position, the switch prevents the bike from starting and gives audio/ visual indication to the rider of the vehicle.
Figure 12 illustrates the operation of switch at different angles of the side stand.
Figure 13 illustrates the operation of switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, depending upon the rotation of the lever, the moving contact makes/ breaks contact with the at least one fixed contact.
Figure 14 illustrates a table illustrating various operating conditions of the switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 15 illustrates various positions of clutch switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, when the clutch is pressed, the lever moves in an angular direction. The movement of lever in turn rotates the moving contact. Depending on the rotational movement of the lever, the contact between the moving contact and the

fixed contact changes.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has following advantages:
1. The rotary switch is a closed module ensuring a fully sealed design.
2. The sealing of the switch is easy due of rotary motion.
3. The contact terminal of the switch is fixed on top, avoiding deposition of carbon and dust particles.
4. The switch can operate on wide range of operating current (0.28A-5.0). Also the switch can be operated on low ampere current.
5. The switch has a simple construction with less number of parts, thus reducing the manufacturing cost.
6. The life cycle of the switch is enhanced to 2 lakh cycles.
7. The internal volume of the presentation invention remains unchanged while operating the switch.
8. Double walled casing of the present invention protects the inner parts of the switch from getting damaged due to accidents such as stone hitting etc.

We Claim:
1. A switch assembly for two-wheelers comprising:
a lever;
a pivot element attached to the lever;
a moving contact connected to the pivot element via a carrier; and at least one fixed contact disposed such that the moving contact makes/ breaks contact with the fixed contact upon rotation of the lever.
2. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving contact is fixed inside the carrier such that the carrier and the moving contact move together in an angular direction.
3. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier, the moving contact and the at least one fixed contact are fully encased by a body and the pivot element is partially encased by the said body.
4. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body is provided with an aperture through which an end of the pivot element is disposed into the said body.
5. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot element is attached to the lever via an attachment means, said attachment means comprises a screw, a washer and a spring washer.
6. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein a sealing element is provided on the inner surface of the body such that the said element is located in a gap between the pivot element and the aperture of the body.
7. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body is divided into a lower case and an upper case, said lower case and upper case are tightly sealed.

8. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body comprises an inner case and an outer case, said inner case and outer case are provided with a clearance between them.
9. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixed contact is riveted in a base and the base is insert molded with the case lower.
10. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixed contact is directly insert molded with the case lower.