The present invention generally relates to control switches for automobiles such as two-wheelers and three-wheelers. More particularly, the present invention relates to assembly of engine on/off and engine start switches.

BACKGROUND

The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).

As is generally known, various switches are provided in the vehicles for controlling the different electrical operations of the vehicle such as blinker switch, head lamp switch, etc. Engine start/stop switches or ignition switches are generally known for operating the various functions. Historically, the function of “starting” is achieved by means of a singular-switching device such as a self-start knob. For achieving the function of “stopping”, the rider has to separately activate an ignition ON/OFF switch provided on the handlebar of the vehicle. Such a mechanism is highly inconvenient for the rider and may cause distraction while riding the vehicle. To eliminate such shortcomings, switching devices for performing the functions of ‘stopping the reciprocating engine’ in the form of ‘Engine ON/OFF’ or ‘kill-switch’ have been developed.

Such switches i.e. self-start switch and engine ON/OFF switches carry a different ampere rating than other switches such as horn switch/blinker switches. Accordingly, switches such as the self-start switch and engine on/off switch are usually contact-based switches that activate based on extent of overlap among the contact-terminals. At least due to aforesaid, the assembly of such contact based switches suffers from various infirmities at least due to a complex assembly and have to mandatorily rely upon high amperage switches

There lies at least a need for a user-friendly and technically advanced handlebar switches containing engine start/stop and ignition switch for vehicles. More specifically, what is required is a switching device that is user friendly, economical and can be fitted with minimal occupancy of space on a given mounting panel of the vehicle.

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 handlebar switch containing engine start/stop switch and an ignition switch. In an embodiment, the start/stop switch includes a hollow carrier along with a spring and a ball. The said carrier is used to change the position of the knob from start to stop position and vice-versa. Further, a “low ampere switch sealed switch” is provided which is operated with the help of the knob.

In an emobiment, the engine start/stop switch is a rocker-switch comprises a housing and a detent-profile located within the housing and defined by a peak and a recess at both sides of the peak. A knob is pivoted within the housing above the detent-profile and defining two operable-states. A spring-loaded carrier is attached to the knob and configured to traverse the detent-profile upon actuation of the knob. A microswitch is operable by the knob and exibhits ON/OFF states corresponding to the two actuated states of the knob, wherein ON/OFF states of the microswitch are obtained based upon occurrence of a plurality of positions of the carrier against the detent profile.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, ignition switch is provided including a knob which remains in the OFF position until an external force is applied. Further, a “low ampere switch sealed switch” is provided which performs the ignition function or self-start. The application of the present disclosure is in the field of automobiles especially in two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

In other embodiment, the present subject matter refers a knob based switch comprising a housing and a coil-spring based knob pivoted within the housing. The knob defines an idle state and an acutuated state which in turn is defined by a compressed state of a coil spring under an external influence. A microswitch is operable by the knob and exibhits ON/OFF states corresponding to the actuated state and the idle states of the knob, respectively
Further, an ECU is connected to the microswitches of both knob and rocker switches and configured to disable an operation of knob based switch based on sensing OFF state of the rocker switch. The ECU enbales an operation of knob based switch based on said sensing ON state of the rocker switch

The present invention at-least addresses the problems that are prevalent in the existing art. At least a purpose of the present invention is to provide an engine start/stop switch and an ignition switch (i.e. a self-start switch) for a vehicle which is convenient and has easy operability. Hence, there lies a need for developing a handlebar switch which includes engine start/stop and ignition switch that is low on complexity and can be fitted with minimal occupancy of space.

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 an isometric view of handle bar switch containing engine start/stop and ignition switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 depicts switches in OFF position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 depicts switches in ON position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates Start/Stop switch in ON position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates Start/Stop switch in OFF position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 depicts self-start switch in actuated or start position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates self-start switch in idle or non-actuated position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 8 illustrate as operation of an ECU according to another 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 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.

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 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 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 system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures are for the purpose of illustration only and should not be construed as limitations on the assembly and mechanism of the present disclosure. Reference will now be made to a handlebar switch containing engine start/stop and ignition switch which is explained with the help of figures. It is understood by a person skilled in art that the engine start/stop switch and the engine ignition switch, as disclosed in the present disclosure, can be mounted at different locations on the front panel of a vehicle in horizontal or vertical position or any other position as per the suitability of the manufacturer/user.

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of handle bar switch containing engine start/stop and ignition switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 1 illustrates an engine ignition switch or self-start switch (101) and engine ON/OFF switch (102). Further, the figure illustrates an upper housing (103) and a lower housing (104), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in the present embodiment, the handlebar switch module contains the engine ON/OFF switch in the upper housing (103) and the self-start switch (101) in the lower housing (104).

Figure 2 depicts switches in OFF position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, Figure 2 illustrates an engine ON/OFF switch assembly 102 comprising a start/stop knob (201), a carrier (202), a spring (203) provided with a ball (210), a detent profile defined by a guide path (209) for the knob (201), and a microswitch (211) with cavity. The engine on/off switch assembly 102 has been further clearly depicted and elaborated in Fig. 4 and 5. The detent profile (209) is defined by a peak and a recess at both sides of the peak.

Further, the self-start switch assembly (101) comprises an ignition knob (206), an operating flange (205), a pivot pin (207) for ignition knob (206), a microswitch (204), and a cavity (208) for the microswitch (204), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The self-start switch assembly 101 has been further clearly depicted and elaborated in Fig. 6 and 7.

Figure 3 depicts the switches of Fig. 2 in ON position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates engine ON/OFF switch 102 in ON position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. On the other hand, Figure 5 illustrates engine ON/OFF switch 102 in OFF position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, Figure 4 and Figure 5 illustrates that the engine ON/OFF switch (102) is provided with a hollow carrier (202) supporting a spring (203) which in turn encloses a ball (210) for contacting the guide path (209). Upon actuation of the knob 201, the carrier (202) traverses the guide path (209) to cause change in the position of the knob (201) from start to stop position and vice versa, under the influence of an actuation. In an implementation, the guide path (209) comprises indentations to position or stabilize the knob (201) at two different detents within the guide path (209) as corresponding to the start position or at the stop position. Also, the engine ON/OFF switch (102) housing contains a cavity which is provided with an “a low ampere switch sealed switch” also known as microswitch (211) or tact switch or mini switch (211) inside the cavity operated by the flange or plate of the knob (201).

During operation, the spring (203) exerts a force on the ball (210) to stabilize in any of the two detents of the guide path (209) to keep the knob (201) at a particular position in absence of external force. During ON position, the flange of the knob (201) contacts the microswitch (211) and compresses it. To move into OFF position or idl3 position, the flange (205) gets lifted off the microswitch (211). The microswitch (211) is connected to an ECU of an automobile to maintain an ignition ON/OFF of the vehicle.

Figure 6 depicts the self-start or ignition switch 101 in actuated or ON position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 illustrates ignition switch 101 in OFF or idle position, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, Figure 6 and Figure 7 illustrates that the ignition switch (101) is provided with the knob (206) which is pivotally attached to the housing through the pivot pin (207) and a coil spring (601). Further, the coil spring (601) is used to keep the knob (206) in OFF or idle position until the external force is applied by a user. Upon application of force, i.e. thumb based actuation by human being, the self-start switch 101 is momentarily actuated. Upon release of force, the resilient coil spring action 601 restores the idle position of the self-start switch 101.

The housing further comprises a “a low ampere switch sealed switch” which may be called as a microswitch (204) or tact switch or mini switch to perform the ignition function when it is pushed by the flange of the knob (206) when the force is applied on the knob (206) by the user.

Further, instead of the conventional contact based switches that make or break an electrical circuit based on overlap and are accordingly electrical in nature, the present switches 101 and 102 are electronic in nature. The present switches 102, 101 actuate the microswitches (204, 211) which in turn triggers an ECU. The ECU in turn makes or breaks an electrical circuit. the ECU is connected to the starter motor of the vehicle and causes a make or break of an electrical circuit of the starter motor. Accordingly, the microswitch 204 is connected to an ECU of an automobile to trigger a starter motor ON/OFF in the vehicle. In an example, the microswitches 204, 211 may be the state of the art microswitches as employed for blinkers in handlebar assembly.

Figure 8 illustrate as operation of an ECU connected to the microswitch (211) and the microswitch (204). The ECU may be configured to disable an operation of knob based switch (101) based on said sensing OFF state of the rocker switch (102).

In operation, at step 802, the ECU checks the state of both microswitches (204, 211). In case case it senses the OFF state of the rocker switch (102) based on sensing ON state of microswitch (211), the control flow proceeds to step 804. Else, the control flow proceeds to step 808.

At step 804, the ECU disable an operation of knob based switch (101) based on said sensing of OFF state of the rocker switch 102. Accordingly, any user operation over the knob based switch (101) to self start the vehicle is infructuous and disabled. While the user may physically move the knob based switch (101), it does not lead to any action.

At step 806, the ECU senses OFF state of microswitch (211) to detect ONcondition of the rocker switch (102). Accorrdingly, the control flow proceeds to step 808.

At step 808, the ECU enables an operation of knob based switch (101) based on sensing an ON condition of the rocker switch (102).

Overall, by virtue of the aforesaid features, the present advantages of present engine start/stop switch and ignition switch are provided below.
1. Design has a low ampere switching
2. High Reliability
3. No current leakage

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, 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.

CLAIMS:1. A handlebar switch assembly (100) comprising:
a housing (103):
a rocker-switch (102) comprising:
a detent-profile (209) located within the housing (103) and defined by a peak and a recess at both sides of the peak;
a knob (201) pivoted within the housing (103) above the detent-profile (209) and defining two operable-states;
a spring-loaded carrier (202) attached to the knob (201) and configured to traverse the detent-profile (209) upon actuation of the knob (201);
a microswitch (211) operable by the knob (201) and exibhiting ON/OFF states corresponding to the two actuated states of the knob (201), wherein ON/OFF states of the microswitch (211) are obtained based upon occurrence of a plurality of positions of the carrier (202) against the detent profile (209).
a knob-switch (101) comprising:
a coil-spring based knob (206) pivoted within the housing (103) and defining:
an idle state ;
an acutuated state defined by a compressed state of a coil spring (601) under an external influence;
a microswitch (204) operable by the knob (206) and exibhiting ON/OFF states corresponding to the actuated state and the idle states of the knob (206), respectively.
an ECU connected to the microswitch (211) and the microswitch (204) and configured to disable an operation of knob based switch (101) based on said sensing OFF state of the rocker switch (102).

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the spring loaded carrier (202) supports a spring (203) enclosing a ball (210) for contacting the detent profile (209).

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 2, wherein the detent profile (209) comprises indentations to position or stabilize the knob (201) at two different detents within the profile (209) as corresponding to the start position or at the stop position.

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the microswitch (211) cooperates with a flange (205) portion of the knob (201) to receive a push from the knob (201) and undergo compression from an idle state.

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 4, wherein the microswitch (211) is restored to the idle state from the compressed state upon flange (205) lifting off the microswitch (211).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the microswitch (211) is connected to the ECU of an automobile to trigger ignition ON/OFF of the vehicle.

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microswitch (204) is a low ampere switch sealed switch to perform the ignition function when pushed by the flange (205) of the knob (206) under influence of force.

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the microswitch (204) is connected to the ECU of an automobile to trigger a starter motor ON/OFF in a vehicle.

9. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 8, wherein the ECU is connected to the starter motor of the vehicle and causes a make or break of an electrical circuit of the starter motor.

10. The assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein the ECU connected to the microswitch (211) and the microswitch (204) and configured to:
sense OFF state of the rocker switch (102) based on sensing ON state of microswitch (211);
disable an operation of knob based switch (101) based on said sensing of OFF state of the rocker switch (102);
sensing OFF state of microswitch (211) to detect ON condition of the rocker switch (102); and
enable an operation of knob based switch (101) based on sensing an ON condition of the rocker switch (102).