TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the switching operation of high current control
switches in four wheeled vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to
the construction and mechanism of switching operation of a control knob for
regulating the air-conditioning in the rear side of the vehicle, thereby overcoming
packaging space constraint and enhancing reliability of the switch.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
The information in this section merely provide background information related to the
present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally 4 wheeled vehicles are provided with various control switches for smooth
operation, safe driving and controlling the various electronic devices in the vehicle
such as stereo, air conditioner etc. Such functions are governed by control buttons
mounted on a mounting panel in the vehicle. AC control knob is one such important
and commonly used control switch.
The front AC/blower control knob switch is mounted on the mounting panel on the
dash board of the vehicle for controlling the air conditioning by the air ducts in the
front of the vehicle. Similarly, the rear AC/blower control switch in mounted on the
mounting panel near the roof between the driver’s seat and co-driver’s seat. The rear
AC/blower control switch is generally a control knob and is similar in construction
and operation as the control knobs for controlling the front AC/blower ducts.
One major problem associated with the conventional AC/blower control knob switch
used is the size of the switch. The rear AC/blower control switch in particular is
substantially large with respect to the space available on the mounting panel in the
rear side of the vehicle.
In other words, researchers have developed a user friendly and technically advance
control knob switch that is user friendly, economical and is compact in size.
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SUMMARY
The present invention relates to the switching operation of high current control
switches in four wheeled vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to
the construction and mechanism of a blower switch assembly for regulating the airconditioning
in the rear side of the vehicle. The blower switch assembly comprises a
blower body comprising a knob adapted to operate a moving contact by means of a
rotor; and a fixed terminal assembly comprising a base having a plurality of fixed
contacts extending in a first direction from the base; and a fixed terminals extending
in a second direction, such that the second direction is at a pre-defined angle from the
first direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
Further aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily understood
from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
figures. 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, but not limiting the scope of the
invention. In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the present control knob switch according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates exploded view of the various sub-parts and sub-assemblies that
are contained in an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view wherein the fixed contacts are in assembled
condition according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the fixed contacts according to one more
embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Figure 5a illustrates an isometric view of the base cover and distal end of the fixed
contact according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5b depicts an isometric view of the base according to another embodiment of
the present disclosure.
Figure 5c shows an isometric view of the base cover and the base according to one
more embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 depicts an isometric view of the base cover, base and the connector
according to one other embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the present control knob switch according to yet
another embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figures 8(a) to (e) depict the various switching positions of the present control knob
switch according to one more embodiment of the present disclosure.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions
of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements
to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific
embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be
described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to
cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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Before describing in detail the various embodiments of the present disclosure it may
be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present
disclosure resides in the construction and mechanism of high current control switches
in four wheeled vehicles. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be
motivated from the present disclosure and can perform various modifications.
However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having benefit of the description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to
cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device
that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but
may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or
device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or
device proceeded by “comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or
apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present disclosure. The invention in
respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.
Accordingly it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a user friendly and
technically advanced rear AC/blower control switch. More specifically, a control
switch to overcome the space constraint on the mounting panel in the rear side of the
vehicle whereby the switch is reliable, cost efficient and has enhanced life cycle.
Another aim of the present disclosure is to provide an AC/blower control switch
wherein contaminants such as dust and water are prevented from entering into the
switch.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a blower switch assembly for vehicles
comprising; a blower body comprising a knob adapted to operate a moving contact by
means of a rotor; and a terminal sub assembly comprising a base having a plurality of
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fixed contacts extending in a first direction from the base; and a fixed terminals
extending in a second direction, such that the second direction is at a pre-defined
angle from the first direction.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixed contacts have a proximal
end and a distal end.
In one other embodiment of the present disclosure, the proximal end is bent at right
angles with respect to the distal end of the fixed contacts.
In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the proximal ends of the fixed
contacts are disposed on a first side of the base cover to face the moving contact; and
the distal ends of the fixed contacts are disposed on a second side of the base cover
and received in the base to face the fixed terminals.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixed terminals are disposed
in a connector by insert moulding.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the distal end of the fixed contacts is
connected with the fixed terminals of the connector through soldering.
In one more embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection between the fixed
contacts and the fixed terminals is secured by a cover.
Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a control switch comprising a blower
body, a rotor, a moving contact, a terminal assembly comprising a fixed terminals
integrated with a base plurality and being connected with a fixed terminals at a
predefined angle.
As per the present disclosure, the present locking device comprises a knob for
regulating the air-conditioning in the rear side of the vehicle. It is to be noted that the
said knob may be rotational type knob, sliding type knob or any other mechanism as
per the suitability of the user/manufacturer.
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The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1
to 8 according to an embodiment of the present description.
As shown in figures 1-8, the control knob switch (100) comprises a blower knob (1)
connected with fascia (2). The fascia (2) is a rigid structure having a front side (2a), a
rear side (2b) and hole (2c). In the mounted condition, the fascia (2) covers various
components of the said switch assembly from external environment. The knob (1) is
disposed on the front side (2a) of the fascia (2) and is accessible/operable by users.
Printed on the front side (2a) of fascia (2) are various levels/indications thereby
providing an assistive interface for users to regulate the rear AC/blower control switch
by the knob (1). Disposed on the rear side (2b) of the fascia (2), in an internal space of
the said switch, is a rotor sub assembly comprising a rotor (4) being secured in a
blower body (3). The blower body (3) is a rigid structure comprising a bore (3a). In
the mounted condition, the blower body (3) is secured with the rear side (2b) of the
fascia (2) such that the bore (3a) is co-axial with the hole (2c) of the fascia (2). The
blower body (3) comprises a slot for mounting the rotor (4). The rotor (4) is mounted
in the slot in the blower body (3) such that rotor shaft (4a) emerges through the bore
(3a) and hole (2c); the said rotor shaft being coupled with the knob (1) in the mounted
condition. The rotor (4) is disposed in the blower body (3) by means of at least one
ball (5) for facilitating rotary motion of the rotor (4) within the slot of the blower body
(3).
As shown in figure 2, the rotor sub assembly comprises a moving contact (7) secured
with the rotor (4) by a resilient means such as spring (6); the moving contact (7) being
rotatable with the rotor (4) during operation of the switch by the knob (1). The
moving contact (7) is operationally engageable with a plurality of fixed contacts (9) of
the terminal sub assembly to establish electric contact. The terminal sub assembly
comprises a base cover (8) having a first side (8a) and a second side (8b). The first
side (8a) of the base cover (8) comprises a plurality of slots for accommodating a
plurality of fixed contacts (9). As depicted in figure 4, the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C,
9D, 9E) have a proximal end (PE) and a distal end (DE); the proximal end (PE) being
bent at right angles with respect to the distal end (DE). The said fixed contacts (9A,
9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) are insert moulded in the base cover (8) such that the proximal ends
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(PE) of the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) are disposed on the first side (8a) of
the base cover (8) to be facing the moving contact (7).
As illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) are disposed
such that the distal ends (DE) pass through the base cover (8a) so as to emerge
adjacent to one another on the second side (8b) of the base cover (8). The distal ends
(DE) of the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) are thereby disposed on the second
side (8b) of the base cover (8) extending along axis (AA) (as shown in figure 7). The
fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) are further insert moulded in the base (10) such
that the distal ends (DE) emerge from the base (10) to face fixed terminals (12). The
fixed terminals (12) are insert moulded in a connector (11) such that the ends of the
terminals are adjacent to one another for establishing connection with the distal ends
(DE) of the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E); wherein the connector (11) is
adapted to be secured with the base (10) at a predefined angle by fastening means
such as screws (13). In the mounted condition, the distal ends (DE) of the plurality of
fixed contacts (9) extend in the first direction (AA) from the base cover (8); and the
corresponding fixed terminals (12) extend in a second direction (BB), such that the
second direction (BB) is at a pre-defined angle from the first direction (AA) as shown
in figure 7. The distal ends (DE) of the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) are
secured with the fixed terminals (12) of the connector (11) through soldering; thereby
establishing connection between the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) and the
corresponding fixed terminals (13).
As shown in figures 2 and 3, the soldering connection between the fixed terminals
(12) of the connector (11) and the distal ends (DE) of the fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C,
9D, 9E) is secured by a cover (14). The cover (14) is made of plastic and has a rigid
construction for providing protection from external contaminants such as dust,
moisture etc. from contaminating the soldering between fixed contacts (9A, 9B, 9C,
9D, 9E) and the corresponding fixed terminals (13); thereby preventing corrosion of
the soldering resulting in breaking of connection between the fixed contacts (9A, 9B,
9C, 9D, 9E) and fixed terminals (13).
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During operation, as shown in figures 8(a)-(e), when the user rotates the knob (1) with
respect to the indications on the fascia (2) to regulate the rear AC/blower control knob
switch (100), the rotor (7) is rotated. The rotation of the rotor (4) moves the moving
contact (7) correspondingly to establish contact with one of the fixed contacts (9)
connected with a respective fixed terminal (12). This completes the electrical circuit
thereby allowing the user to regulate the rear AC/blower of the vehicle by means of
the control knob (1).
ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION
An advantage of the present disclosure is that the terminals have been divided into
three insert moulded parts to achieve a shape of the terminals wherein the terminals
are disposed at an angle with respect to the fixed contacts in order to overcome
packaging space constraints on the mounting panel in the rear of the vehicle.
Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the said rear AC/blower control
knob switch provides effective sealing of the terminals from conditions of dust and
moisture, thereby enhancing life of the switch.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it has a compact structure,
robust design and is cost effective.
List of reference numerals:
1 Knob
2 Fascia
2a Front side of fascia
2b Rear side of fascia
2c Hole
3 Blower body
3a Bore
4 Rotor
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4a Rotor shaft
5 Ball
6 Spring
7 Moving contact
8 Base cover
8a First side of Base Cover
8b Second side of Base Cover
9 Plurality of Fixed contacts
9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E Fixed contacts
10 Base
11 Connector
12 Fixed terminals
13 Fastening means
14 Cover
AA First direction
BB Second direction
PE Proximal end of fixed contacts
DE Distal end of fixed contacts
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those
having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the
singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various
singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally
intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at
least,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly
recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For
example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
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usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim
recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that
the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing
only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases
“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a”
and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”);
the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be
interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two
recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two
or more recitations). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually
any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether
in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the
possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For
example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or
“B” or “A and B.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and
embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to
be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:
1. A blower switch assembly for vehicles comprising;
a blower body (3) comprising a knob (1) adapted to operate a moving
contact (7) by means of a rotor (4); and
a terminal sub assembly comprising
a base cover (8) comprising a plurality of fixed contacts (9)
extending in a first direction (AA) from the base cover (8); and
a fixed terminals (12) extending in a second direction (BB),
such that the second direction (BB) is at a pre-defined angle from the
first direction (AA).
2. The blower switch assembly for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
fixed contacts (9) have a proximal end (PE) and a distal end (DE).
3. The switch assembly for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal
end (PE) is bent at right angles with respect to the distal end (DE) of the fixed
contacts (9).
4. The blower switch assembly for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein;
the proximal ends (PE) of the fixed contacts (9) are disposed on a first
side (8a) of the base cover (8) to face the moving contact (7); and
the distal ends (DE) of the fixed contacts (9) are disposed on a second
side (8b) of the base cover (8) and received in base (10) to face the fixed
terminals (12).
5. The blower switch assembly for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
fixed terminals (12) are disposed in a connector (11) by insert moulding.
6. The switch assembly for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end
(DE) of the fixed contacts is connected with the fixed terminals (12) of the
connector (11) through soldering.
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7. The switch assembly for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
connection between the fixed contacts (9) and the fixed terminals (12) is
secured by a cover (14).