FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicles and more particularly to a passing switch of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND [0002] Typically vehicles comprise a headlight positioned at a front of the vehicle for providing illumination a front area, for example, a road, so that a rider gets a clear view of the road, particularly when ambient light is dark. The headlight of vehicles, such as two-wheeled vehicles, generally include a low beam lighting element and a high beam lighting element. At any given instant, any one of the low beam lighting element and the high beam lighting element can be operated, using a switch, often referred to as a passing switch.

[0003] The vehicle further include multiple power sources, namely a first power supply or a second power supply. These power sources provide electrical power to various electrical systems of the vehicle, as and when required. As such, the headlight operates on a first power supply or a second power supply. The first power supply may be an Alternating Current (AC) power supply or a Direct Current (DC) power supply. The second power supply may be the Alternating Current (AC) power supply or the Direct Current (DC) power supply. When the passing switch having a relay system is actuated, the relay system disconnects the headlight from the first power supply or the second power supply, and operates the headlight using the second power supply or the first power supply, respectively. However, such relay systems tend to be costly and therefore their usage adds cost to the overall headlight system, and thus the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a passing switch of a vehicle, is provided. The passing switch comprising: a housing a primary provision received within the housing; a secondary provision received within the housing a contact member comprising a first contact node and a second contact; a movable member attached to the housing an actuation member comprising; a first end wherein the first end is pivotally mounted on the housing, a second end wherein the second end is adapted to be pressed by a user; and, a spherical member wherein the spherical member is configured to move between the primary provision and the secondary provision; and a plunger member disposed between the movable member and the actuation member, wherein a predetermined gap is provided between the actuation member and the plunger member.

[0005] The actuation member is adapted to be at one of a default position and an actuated position.

[0006] The present invention provides a simple, light, inexpensive, and quick passing switch. Further, the present invention provides a passing switch, the operation of which is simple even for those accustomed to convention passing switches, because the operation of the passing switch is same [0007] In another aspect of the invention, the actuation member is adapted to be at the default position upon application of a force by a user; and to be in the actuated position upon release of the force by the user.

[0008] The passing switch further comprises an at least one elastic member. The elastic member is adapted to force the actuation member to move to the default position. The spherical member is engaged with the primary provision in the default position of the actuation member [0009] The spherical member is engaged with the secondary provision in the actuated position of the actuation member.

[00010] Accordingly with present invention, the overall cost of headlight system gets reduced as the requirement of having one or more relay systems on the passing switch is precluded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00011] 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 wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[00012] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00013] Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of a headlight system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00014] Figure 3 illustrates a view of a passing switch, where the passing switch is in a default position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [00015] Figure 4 illustrates a view of a passing switch, where the passing switch is in an actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[00016] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, an embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described here 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 the scope of the invention.

[00018] The term“comprises”, comprising, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, structure or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or structure or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by“comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

[00019] For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying Figures and description here below, further, in the following Figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.

[00020] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, a passing switch, and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.

[00021] The terms“front / forward”,“rear / rearward / back / backward”,“up / upper / top”,“down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom”,“left / leftward”,“right / rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the drawing Figures.

[00022] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (100) referred to herein, embodies a motorcycle. Alternatively, the vehicle (100) may embody any other ridden vehicles such as scooters, three- wheeled vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) etc. without limiting the scope of the invention. The vehicle (100) comprises a frame (102), a steering assembly (104), a headlight system (200) comprising a headlight unit (108), a front ground engaging member (306), and a rear ground engaging member (111). The frame (102) supports the steering assembly

(104). The steering assembly (104) is pivotally mounted on the frame (102). The steering assembly (104) comprises a handle bar (120). The handle bar (120) is configured to be rotated by the rider to steer the vehicle (100). The headlight unit (108) is provided to lightening the front direction of the vehicle (100). The front ground engaging member (306) is in front portion of the vehicle (100). The front ground engaging member (306) is operatively connected to the steering assembly (104). The rear ground engaging member (111) is in rear portion of the vehicle (100). The rear ground engaging member (111) is supported by the frame (102) at rear portion of the vehicle (100). Further, front portion of the vehicle (100) comprise a front fork, front fenders, a dash assembly, a pair of mirrors, a pair of indicator lights etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.

[00023] Further, the vehicle (100) comprises a power unit (310). The frame (102) supports the power unit (310) in middle portion of the vehicle (100) through a pivot member (not shown). The power unit (310) comprises an engine (312) and a transmission unit (not shown). The engine (312) generates the power required by the vehicle (100). In the illustrated example, the power unit (310) provides necessary power required to drive the rear ground engaging member (111) of the vehicle (100). Alternatively, the power unit (310) may provide necessary power to the drive the front ground engaging member (306), or both the front ground engaging member (306) and the rear ground engaging member (111) simultaneously, without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[00024] Referring further to Figure 1, the vehicle (100) includes a seat (118). The frame (102) supports the seat (118) which extends from middle portion to rear portion of the vehicle (100). The seat (118) provides seating for a rider and a passenger of the vehicle (100). Further, the vehicle (100) comprises a fuel tank system (122). The fuel tank system (122) stores and supplies necessary fuel to the engine (312) to generate power within the vehicle (100). The fuel tank system (122) is disposed between the steering assembly (104) and the seat (118). Further, the vehicle (100) may comprise tail lights, suspension systems, swing arms or various other components known in the art without limitations.

[00025] Figure 2 depicts a schematic illustration of the headlight system (200) comprising a passing switch (106) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The headlight system (200) comprises the passing switch (106), the headlight unit (108), a first power source (152), a second power source (154), and one or more power leads (110, 112). The headlight unit (108) comprises a low beam lighting element (114) and a high beam lighting element (116). The low beam lighting element (114) and the high beam lighting element (116) are provided in form of separate lighting sources/ filaments.

[00026] In an embodiment, a first power lead ( 112) and a second power lead (110) may be connected to the passing switch (106). The passing switch (106) is adapted to establish an electrical contact of the high beam lighting element ( 116) of the headlight unit (108) with either the second power source (154) through the second power lead (112) or with the first power source (152) through the first power lead (110). In an embodiment, the first power source (152) may be an Alternating Current (AC) power source or a Direct Current (DC) power source. Alternatively, the second power source (154) may be the Alternating Current (AC) power source or the Direct Current (DC) power source. In an embodiment, the DC power source is a 12 Volt battery of the vehicle (100). In such an embodiment, the AC power source is an Alternating Current Generator (ACG) (not illustrated) of the vehicle (100).

[00027] The passing switch (106) is adapted to be in default and actuated position. As shown in Figure 2, the passing switch (106) is in the default position, the passing switch (106) connects the second power source (154) with the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). On the other hand, in the actuated position of the passing switch (106), the passing switch (116) is adapted to electrically connect the first power source (152) and the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108) (connection shown as dotted lines in the circuitry illustrated in Figure 2) to enable the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). In an embodiment, the passing switch (106) is an auto-retracting switch. This means that the passing switch (106) moves back to the default position, upon removal of actuation force. As the passing switch (106) directly operates the high beam lighting element (116), therefore, the vehicle (100) does not need a separate device such as the relay system for operation. Accordingly, the present invention reduces cost of the vehicle (100) by eliminating cost associated with a relay system.

[00028] The passing switch (106) herein described with reference to Figure 3, and Figure 4, wherein the Figure 3 depicts the passing switch (106) in that default position, and wherein the Figure 4 depicts the passing switch (106) in the actuated position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring jointly to Figures 3 to 4, the passing switch (106) comprises a housing (204), a movable member (244), a contact member (215), an actuation member (202), and a plunger member (242).

[00029] The housing (204) comprises a primary provision (204A), and a secondary provision (204B). The primary provision (204A) supports the actuation member (202) in the default position. The secondary provision (204B) supports the actuation member (202) in the actuated position. Therefore, in the default position of the passing switch (106), the actuation member (202) aligns with the primary position (204A). On the other hand, in the actuated position of the passing switch (106), the actuation member (202) aligns with the secondary position (204B).

[00030] The secondary provision (204B) is provided in the housing (204), so the user needs to apply a force, e.g., a threshold value of actuation force over actuation member (202) to move the spherical member (236) from the primary provision (204 A) to the secondary provision (204B). The threshold value of actuation force may vary in accordance with the design requirement of the passing switch (106).

[00031] The movable member (244) is operatively attached to the housing (204). In present embodiment, the movable member (244) is composed of a conducting material. In an example, the movable member (244) is an electrically conducting metallic plate. The movable member (244) is adapted to make contact with the contact member (215) thereby completing the electrical circuit either with the first power source (152) or the second power source (154). The movable member (244) is adapted to move through the plunger member (242) when the actuation member (202) is actuated by the user.

[00032] The contact member (215) comprises a first contact node (216), a second contact node (217), and a third contact node (218). The first contact node (216), the second contact node (217), and the third contact node (218) are hereinafter also referred as the electrical contact nodes (216), (217) and (218). The first contact node (216), and the second contact node (217) are the input of the movable member (244).

The third contact node (218) acts like an output for the movable member (244). The first contact node (216), and the second contact node (217) are connected to the first power source (152), and the second power source (154) using the first power lead (110), and the second power lead (112), respectively. The output contact node (218) is connected to the high beam lighting element ( 116) of the headlight unit (108).

[00033] In the default position, the movable member (244) is in connection with the first contact node (216) and the third contact node (218). In the actuated position, the movable member (244) is in connection with the second contact node (217) and the third contact node (218). In an embodiment, the first contact node (216), the second contact node (217), and the third contact node (218) of the passing switch (106) is preferably a dome shaped electrical contact node.

[00034] The actuation member (202) having a first end (213), a second end (214), a spherical member (236), and at-least one elastic member (213 A). The actuation member (202) is hingedly mounted to the housing (204) at a first end (213) and the second end (214) for example the knob (214) is adapted to be pressed by a user. In an embodiment, the actuation member (202) is a lever having the knob (214) at one end. The at-least one elastic member (213 A) is provided for retaining the actuation member (202) to the default position of the actuation member (202), in the default position the spherical member (236) is received by the primary provision (204 A) of the housing (204) to support the actuation member (202) in the default position. When the user actuates the actuation member (202), the spherical member (236) moves and is received by the secondary provision (204B) of the housing (204).

[00035] In an embodiment, the actuation member (202) is spring loaded preferably by the torsion spring such that the torsion spring retains the actuation member (202) in its default position and the user can actuate the passing switch (106) by actuating the actuation member (202) against a torsional spring force of the torsion spring. For example, a user force can be applied on the second end (e.g., knob) so that the actuation member (202) assumes the actuated position from the default position.

[00036] The plunger member (242) is provided on one side of the actuation member (202) and opposite to the movable member (244) such that the plunger member (242) forces the movable member (244) towards the contact member (215) and keeps the movable member (244) abutted against the contact member (215) such that the movable member (244) makes electrical contact with the second contact node (217). In an embodiment, the plunger member (242) is the spring loaded plunger (242). [00037] The plunger member (242) is disposed between the movable member (244), and the actuation member (202) in such a manner that a predetermined gap (250) is provided between the actuation member (202), and the plunger member (242). The predetermined gap (250) value varies in accordance with the design requirement of the passing switch (106).

[00038] The predetermined gap (250) ensures that the actuation member (202) comes in contact with the plunger member (242) only when the spherical member (236) moves to the secondary provision (204B) of the housing (204). This results into an impact force on the plunger member (242) by the actuation member (202), as the user actuates the knob (214) with threshold value of actuation force. Due to the high impact force, the plunger member (242) moves quickly towards the movable member (244). The movable member (244) moves from the first contact node (216) (in default position) to second contact node (217) (in actuated position) thereby reducing the time for establishing the electric connection between the contact member (215) and the movable member (244) of the passing switch (106). The quick establishment of the electric connection between the contact member (215) and the movable member (244) reduces the dark time period of the headlight system (200). As, the dark time period affects the vision of user of the vehicle (100).

[00039] The third contact node (218) of the passing switch (106) is connected to the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). In the default position, the first contact node (216), and the third contact node (218) completes the electrical circuit for powering the high beam lighting element (116) with the second power source (154). Further, when the user actuates the actuation member (202), the movable member (244) is adapted to electrically connect the first power source ( 152) with the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). As in the actuated position, the second contact node (217), and the third contact node (218) comes in connection to complete the electrical circuit for powering with the first power source (152). [00040] However, in another embodiment, the movable member (244) and the first contact node (216) electrically connected to one end of the first power lead (110) i.e. the first contact node (216) is connected to the first power source (152) through the first power lead (110). The third contact node (218) of the passing switch (106) is connected to the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). In the default position, the first contact node (216), and the third contact node (218) completes the electrical circuit for powering the electric circuit with the first power source (152). Further, when the user actuates the actuation member (202), the movable member (244) is adapted to electrically connect the second power source ( 154) with the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). As in the actuated position, the second contact node (217), and the third contact node (218) comes in connection to complete the electrical circuit for powering the electric circuit with the second power source (154).

[00041] As illustrate in Figures 3 and 4, in operation, when the actuation member (202) is in the default position, the movable member (244) forms an electrical contact between the first electrical contact node (216) and the third electrical contact node

(216) of the contact member (215) thereby making an electrical connection between the second power source (154) and the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). In an embodiment, the passing switch (106) electrically connects the second power source (154) and the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). The passing switch (106) is able to operate either the high beam lighting element (116) or the low beam lighting element (114) of the headlight unit (108) at a time.

[00042] When user actuates the passing switch (106) through the actuation member (202) (e.g., the actuation member (202) comes in the actuated position), the electrical contact between the first contact node (216), and the third contact node (218) is disconnected thereby disconnecting the headlight unit (108) from the second power source (154). Thereafter, makes an electrical contact between the second contact node

(217) and the third contact node (218), thereby connecting the headlight unit (108) from the first power source (152), to enable the high beam lighting element (116) of the headlight unit (108). As the passing switch (106) is an auto-retracting switch (106), therefore, the actuation member (202) returns to the default position such that the movable member (244) makes electrical contact between the first contact node (216) and the third contact node (218) as soon as the user leaves the actuation member (202).

[00043] The present invention ensures that in the default position, the actuation member (202) is configured to connect the high beam lighting element (116) to the second power source (154). In the actuated position, the actuation member (202) is configured to disconnect the high beam lighting element (116) from the second power source (154) and connect the high beam lighting element (116) to the first power source (114) in quick time.

[00044] The present invention reduces the dark zone period significantly. As dark zone period is defined as a time period where both circuits are in low state. While operating the passing switch (106), in general the dark zone period increases. However, with the presence of the predetermined gap (250) between the actuation member (202) and the plunger member (242), the movable member (244) abutted against the contact member (215) such that the movable member (244) makes electrical contact with either of the first contact node (216) or the second contact node (217) in quick time. [00045] The present invention provides a simple, light, inexpensive, and quick passing switch (106). Further, the present invention provides a passing switch, the operation of which is simple even for those accustomed to convention passing switches, because the operation of the passing switch is same. Moreover, with present invention, the overall cost of headlight system (200) gets reduced as the requirement of having one or more relay systems on the passing switch is precluded.

[00046] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[00047] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.