The present disclosure relates to a switch assembly with modular components installed in different orientation.

BACKGROUND

Switches are employed in the vehicle to execute various electric operations in the vehicle, such as to turn ON/OFF the headlight, wipers, among other examples. Switches are generally installed on a dashboard inside the vehicle and used to either operate the headlights of the vehicle or a head-up display of the vehicle. Conventionally, the switches are made as a single unit having a single PCB with electronic circuits for each electric operation and multiple knobs mounted on multiple holders that can be operated to close an electronic circuit dedicated for the designated electronic operation. Furthermore, knobs and holders are designed to have different constructions to enable an operator to install the correct holder in the switch. The correct installation ensures that the knobs are not interchanged, and the switch does not operate in a manner different from the intended purpose.

There are various limitations with the current design of the switches. For instance, holders of the conventional switches warrant different sizes and dimensions which increases the manufacturing cost as different sized manufacturing dies are needed to produce different sized holders. Moreover, multiple manufacturing die and associated moulding machines make the manufacturing operation convolute. Multiple manufacturing moulding machines also makes the manufacturing of the switches prone to unwanted shutdown as a delay/ breakdown in the manufacturing of any moulding machine can severe the supply of that holder resulting in the halting of the manufacturing of the switches.

In addition, multiple design holders also warrant maintaining adequate inventory which increases the inventory cost. One way to mitigate the above-mentioned issue is to make the same sized and same design holder. However, making the same type of holder increase the chance of human error while assembling the switches which affects the overall quality of the switches. The switch with an incorrectly installed holder would function differently from the intended purpose.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a switch assembly for a vehicle. The switch assembly has different seats and holders that have similar sizes and dimensions and are installed in the seat. Further, the seats are designed in such a way that the seat only receives the designated holder and prevents the installation of a non-designated holder.

In one example, the switch assembly includes a body having a first seat and a second seat, wherein each of the first seat and the second seat comprises a plurality of guides extending along the inner walls of the first seat and the second seat. The switch assembly also includes a pair of knobs installed at the first ends of the first seat and the second seat, wherein each knob is adapted to receive user input. In addition, the switch assembly includes a first holder and a second holder slidably disposed in the first seat and the second seat, respectively, wherein each of the first holder and the second holder has an end attached to the pair of knobs. Further, an orientation of the first holder is different from an orientation of the second holder, and the orientation of the first holder and the second holder is based on the relative positioning of the plurality of guides on the inner walls of the first seat and the second seat to prevent insertion of the first holder in the second seat and the second holder in the first seat.

According to the present disclosure, the body is designed to prevent the inadvertent installation of the non-designated holder in the seat. Prevention of the installation of the non-designated holder alleviates human error that can result in erroneous installation of the non-designated holder. As a result, the non-designated holders, in spite of being similar in structure and size are not installed in the designated holder.

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 1 illustrates a switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a cross section taken along lines 1-1 in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the body, the holder, and the knobs, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the body, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates a cross section taken along lines 2-2 in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 9 illustrates a cross section taken along lines 3-3 in Figure 1, 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 necessarily been drawn to scale. 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. 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 invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

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 of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, 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 other 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 in the context of more than one embodiment, or 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.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

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

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.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a switch assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the switch assembly 100 while Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the switch assembly. Further, Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the switch assembly while Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The switch assembly 100 may be deployed in inside the vehicle and may be employed to operate different electronic/electrical components in the vehicle. For instance, the switch assembly 100 can be used to operate the headlights. The switch assembly 100 can be installed in the dashboard of the vehicle. The switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a body 102, a plurality of holders 104, a plurality of knobs 106, a rubber pad 108, a printed circuit board 110, a back cover 112, and a connector 114. Details of each component will be explained in subsequent embodiments.

The body 102 forms a major section of the switch assembly 100 and houses other aforementioned components of the switch assembly 100. The body 102 may be made of plastic material, such as thermosetting material. Moreover, the body 102 is made using the injection moulding technique. The body 102 is designed in such a way that the aforementioned components are installed at different levels inside the body 102. The body 102 includes a top end 102A and a bottom end 102B. The top end 102A in an open end of the body 102. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the holders 104 are installed through the top end 102A while the rubber pad 108, the PCB 110, and the back cover 112 are installed through the bottom end 102B. The body 102 may include snap locks 116 that may secure the body 102 to the dashboard. The back cover 112 may also include holes 102C on the sides of the body 102 to receive locks 112A of the back cover 112 to install the back cover 112 thereon.

In one example, the holders 104 are installed inside the body 102. The holders 104 are installed in such a way that the holders 104 can slide inside the body 102. The present illustrations show four holders 104 that can slide independently within the body 102, although a greater or lesser number of holders 104 can be employed based on the number of electronic operations to be executed. The holder 104 may have a top part onto which the knobs 106 can be installed whereas the holder 104 has a bottom part onto which the rubber pad 108 is attached. The holder 104 is installed along a major length of the body 102.

The knobs 106 are designed in such a way that the knob 106 can be mounted at the designated holder 104 and is designed to receive a user’s input. The knobs 106 may have a top surface that has a label indicating the electronic operation to be performed. For instance, the labels on the knobs 106 may indicate to change in the headlight level or to change instrument cluster brightness or activate/deactivate the head-up display (HUD). The knobs 106 may have design implements to attach the knob 106. The design implements are made in such a way that the knob 106 are designed to install on the designated holder 104 and not on the non-designated holder 104.

The user input received by the knob 106 is executed by the PCB 110. The PCB 110 have one or more contact points 110A which closes an electronic circuit on the PCB 110. The PCB 110 is installed at the bottom end 102B of the body 102 and is covered by the back cover 112 and adjacent to the rubber pad 108. The rubber pad 108 is sandwiched between the PCB 110 and the holders 104. The rubber pad 108 has pushers 108A that make contact with the contact points 110A. In one example, the rubber pad 108 and the PCB 110 are protected by the back cover 112. The back cover 112 has a well 112B which houses the connector 114 and the connector 114 may electrically couple the PCB 110 to the electronic component to be controlled. During the operation, the rubber pad 108 is adapted to make contact with the contact points 110A upon the receipt of the user’s input. Specifically, when the user pushes the knob 106, the holder 104 slides to push the rubber pad 108 against a contact point 110A so that the pusher 108A touches the contact 110A thereby closing the electronic circuit.

According to the present disclosure, the body 102, the holders 104, and the knobs 106 are designed in such a way that the holders 106 are at a position in the body 102 and does not install at any other place inside the body 102. Moreover, the knobs 106 are designed to install on the designated holder. Design of the body 102, the holder 104, and the knobs 106 with respect to Figures 7 to 9. Specifically, Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the body 102. Further, Figure 8 illustrates cross section taken along lines 2-2 in Figure 1 while Figure 9 illustrates a cross-section taken along lines 3-3 in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 7, the body 102 has four seats namely a first seat 702A, a second seat 702B, a third seat 702C, and a fourth seat 702D, collectively referred to as 702 hereinafter. As shown in Figure 7, 8, and 9, the first seat 702A is adjacent to the second seat 702B. Further, the third seat 702C is adjacent to the second seat 702B and the fourth seat 702D is adjacent to the third seat 702C. Further, each of the first seat 702A, the second seat 702B, the third seat 702C, and the fourth seat 706D has a first wall 704A, a second wall 704B, a third wall 704C, and a fourth wall 704D, collectively referred to as the walls 704. Further, the first wall 704A is adjoined by the second wall 704B and the fourth wall 704D. Furthermore, the second wall 704B is adjoined by the first wall 704A and the third wall 704C. Furthermore, the third wall 704C is adjoined by the second wall 704B and the fourth wall 704D. Finally, the fourth wall 704D is adjoined by third wall 704C and the first wall 704A.

The body 102 also has a plurality of guides 706 that extends along the walls 704. The plurality of guides may include first guides 706A, second guides 706B, third guides 706C, and fourth guides 706D. As shown in figure 7, the relative positioning of first guide 706A, second guide 706B, third guide 706C, and fourth guide 706D in the first seat 702A, 702B, 702C, and 706D are different from each other. The difference in the relative positioning results in the difference in the orientation of the holders 104 in the body 102.

In one example, the first guides 706A are formed on each of the first walls 704A of the first seat 702A and third seat 702C, and the third wall of the second seat 702B and fourth seat 702D. In addition, the second guides 706B are formed on each of the second walls 704B of the first seat 702A and the third wall, and fourth walls 704D of the second seat 702B and the fourth seat 702D. Further, the third guides 706C are formed on each of the third walls 704C of the first seat 702A and third seat 702C and the first wall 704B of the second seat 702B and fourth seat 702D. Furthermore, the fourth guides 706D are formed on each of the fourth walls 704D of the first seat 702A and the third wall and second walls 704B of the second seat 702B and the fourth seat 702D. As may be understood, the relative positioning of the guides 706 in the first seat 702A is different from the relative positioning of the guides 706 in the second seat 702B.

Referring now to Figure 8, the holders 104 are installed in their seats 702. The holders 104 can be a first holder 104A, a second holder 104B, a third holder 104C, and a fourth holder 104D that may be installed in the first seat 702A, the second seat 702B, the third seat 702C, and the fourth seat 702D respectively. Further, each holder 104 may include a plurality of channel 806, namely a first channel 806A, a second channel 806B, a third channel 806C, and a fourth channel 806D. Further, channel 806 are designed to engage a specified guide 706. For instance, the first guide 706A may be received in the first channel 806A and the second guide 706B may be received in the second channel 806B. Similarly, the third guide 706C may be received in the third channel 806C and the fourth guide 706D may be received by the fourth channel 806D.

As shown in Figure 8, the orientation of the first holder 104A, the second holder 104B, the third holder 104C, and the fourth holder 104D in their respective seats 702 are different. Further, the relative positioning of the guides 706 determines the placement of the channels 806 and consequently the holders 104. For instance, the first channel 806A of the first holder 104A may be proximate to the first wall 704A of the first seat 702A. On the other hand, the first channel 704A of the second holder 104B may be proximate to the third wall 704C of the second seat 702B because the first guide 706A on the third wall 704C of the second seat 702B. A similar construction is present in the third seat 706C and the fourth seat 706D. As a result, the holder 104 designated for the first seat 702A cannot enter in the second seat 702B. Similarly, the holder 104 designated for the third seat 702C cannot enter in the fourth seat 702D.

While the relative positioning of the guides 706 determines the orientation of the holder 104, the body 102 and the knobs 106 have additional implements that ensure the mounting of the knob 106. Referring now to Figure 9, the body 102 includes a first rib 902A, a second rib 902B, a third rib 902C, and a fourth rib 902D. Further, the first rib 902A and the second rib 902B are formed on a common edge between the first seat 702A and the second seat 702B. Further, a width of the first rib 902A is greater than a width of the second rib 902B along the common edge. On the other hand, a width of the third rib 902C along the common edge is less than a width of the fourth rib 902D along the common edge.

Moreover, the first knob 106A and the second knob 106B has side surfaces 904A and 904B that may face each other when installed on designated the holder 104A, 104B. Similarly, the third knob 106C and the fourth knob 106D has side surfaces 904C and 904B. Further, each of the side surfaces 904A, 904B, 904C, and 904D may include a first cut-out 906A and a second cut-out 906B. Further, the first cut-out 906A of the first knob 106A and the second knob 106B is adapted to receive the first rib while the second cut-out 906B of the first knob 106A and the second knob 106B. Similarly, the first cut-out 906A of the third knob 106C and the fourth rib 902D may receive the third rib 902C and the second cut-out 906B of the third knob 106C and the fourth knob 106D may receive the fourth rib 902D.

The opposite facing side surfaces 904A, 904B, 904C, and 904D and the first cut-outs 906A and the second cut-outs 906B along with the first rib 902A, the second rib 902B, the third rib 902C, and the fourth rib 904D ensure the installation of the knob 106 at the designated holder 104. For instance, the first rib 902A and the second rib 902B may prevent the installation of the second knob 106B, the third knob 106C, and the fourth knob 106D on the first holder 104A by interacting with the edges of the aforementioned knobs 106. Similar traits are displayed by the third rib 902C and the fourth rib 904D to prevent the installation of the non-designated knob 106 on the non-designated holder 104.

Therefore, the combination of the ribs 902, the knob 106, the holders 104, and the body 102 ensures installation of the holder 104 in the designated seat 702 and the knob 106 on the designated holder 104. As a result, the knob 106 is installed on the designated holder 104 without any incorrect installation in spite of having holder 104 of the same size and dimension. In addition, the guides 706, the ribs 902, and the cut-outs 906 makes the assembly of the switch assembly 100 impervious to human error. Therefore, the switch assembly 100 of the present disclosure is made of the same dimensioned components thereby reducing the manufacturing and inventory cost while ensuring that the assembling of the switch assembly 100 is free from errors or mistakes during the manufacturing of the switch assembly 100
.

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 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.

We Claim:

1. A switch assembly (100) comprising:
a body (102) having a first seat (702A) and a second seat (702B), wherein each of the first seat (702A) and the second seat (702B) comprising a plurality of guides (706) extending along inner walls of the first seat (702A) and the second seat (702B);
a pair of knobs (106) installed at top ends of the first seat (702A) and the second seat (702B), wherein each knob (106) is adapted to receive a user input;
a first holder (104A) and a second holder (104B) slidably disposed in the first seat (702A) and the second seat (702B), respectively, wherein each of the first holder (104A) and the second holder (104B) has an end attached to the pair of knobs (106);
wherein an orientation of the first holder (104A) is different from an orientation of the second holder (104B), and
the orientation of the first holder (104A) and the second holder (104B) is based on a relative positioning of the plurality of guides (706) on the inner walls of the first seat (702A) and the second seat (702B) to prevent insertion of the first holder (104A) in the second seat (702B) and the second holder (104B) in the first seat (702A).

2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a first rib (902A) and a second rib (902B) opposite to the first rib (902A) formed on a common edge between the first seat (702A) and the second seat (702B), wherein a width of the first rib (902A) along the common edge is greater than a width of the second rib (902B) along the common edge.

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each knob (106) of the pair includes a side surface (904) having a first cut-out (906A) adapted to receive the first rib (902A) and a second cut-out (906B) adapted to receive the second rib (902B), and wherein the side surfaces (904) of each knob (106) face each other.

4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a third seat (702C) adjacent to the second seat (702B);
a fourth seat (702D) adjacent to the third seat (702C);
a third holder (104C) slidably disposed in the third seat (702C); and
a fourth holder (104D) slidably disposed in the fourth seat (702D),
wherein orientations the first holder (104A), the second holder (104B), the third holder (104C), and the fourth holder (104D) are different from each other to prevent insertion of the third holder (104C) in the fourth seat (702D) and the fourth holder (104D) in the third seat (702C).

5. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (110) having a contact point (110A) to close an electronic circuit on the PCB; and
a rubber pad (108) attached to a bottom end (102B) of each of the first holder (104A) and the second holder (104B) and adapted to make contact with the contact point (110A) upon the receipt of the user input.

6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first holder (104A), the second holder (104B), the third holder (104C), and the fourth holder (104D) includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive the plurality of guides (706).

7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first seat (702A), the second seat (702B), the third seat (702C), and the fourth seat (702D) includes a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall, wherein the first wall is adjoined by the second wall and the fourth wall, the second wall is adjoined by the first wall and the third wall, the third wall is adjoined by the second wall and the fourth wall, and the fourth wall is adjoined by third wall and the first wall.

8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of guides (706) includes first guides, second guides, third guides, and fourth guides, and wherein, first guides are formed on each of the first walls of the first seat (702A) and third seat (702C), and the third wall of the second seat (702B) and fourth seat (702D), second guides are formed on each of the second walls of the first seat (702A) and the third wall, and fourth walls of the second seat (702B) and the fourth seat (702D), third guides are formed on each of the third walls of the first seat (702A) and third seat (702C) and the first wall of the second seat (702B) and fourth seat (702D), and fourth guides are formed on each of the fourth walls of the first seat (702A) and the third wall and second walls of the second seat (702B) and the fourth seat (702D).

9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein
a relative positioning of the first guide, the second guide, the third guide, and the fourth guides in the first seat (702A) is same as a relative positioning of the first guide, the second guide, the third guide, and the fourth guides in the third seat (702C), and
a relative positioning of the first guide, the second guide, the third guide, and the fourth guides in the second seat (702B) is same as a relative positioning of the first guide, the second guide, the third guide, and the fourth guides in the fourth seat (702D).

10. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, comprising:
a third rib (902C) and a fourth rib opposite to the third rib (902C) formed on a common wall between the third seat (702C) and the fourth seat (702D), wherein a width of the third rib (902C) along the common edge is less than a width of the fourth rib along the common edge.