AU2019204598A1 - Push-button switch with status indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a push button for use in a switch assembly, having a status indicator for indicating the status of the switch assembly. In some embodiments, the status is pivotally mounted within the push button and comprises a first magnetic material for magnetic interaction with a second magnetic material associated with an interface of the switch assembly, such that the push button status indicator pivots from a first state to a second state in accordance with the status of the switch assembly. Also disclosed are an interface for use with the push button, and a switch assembly comprising the push button and the interface. Figure 19 210 320a 320b Figure 20 103 104 t 105

Description

PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH WITH STATUS INDICATOR

PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2018902334 titled “PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH WITH STATUS INDICATOR” and filed on

June 2018.

[0002] The entire content of this Provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0003] The following publications are referred to in the present application:

PCT/AU12014/000545 entitled “Electrical Connector, System and Method”

PCT/AU12014/000544 entitled “Batten Holder, Connector, System and Method” PCT/AU12011/001675 entitled “Touch Switch”

PCT/AU2013/001274 entitled “General Power Outlet and Remote Switch Module”

Australian Patent Application No 2015275232 entitled “Connection System and Method for

Electrical Outlets”

Australian Patent Application No 2015275225 entitled “Electrical System, Apparatus and Method”

Australian Patent Application No 2015275227 entitled “Switch Assembly, System and Method” Australian Patent Application no 2015275233 entitled “Switch Assembly with Rotatable

Operational Part”

The entire content of each of these documents is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD [0004] The present application relates to electrical switch assemblies with a push button switch.

BACKGROUND [0005] In plate switch assemblies (including sockets having switch assemblies), some types are operated by way of a rocker switch, some by a rotary switch and some by a push button switch. In the case of rocker switches and rotary switches, it is usually clear whether the switch is in an OFF state or an ON

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 state. However, in the case of a push button switch, where the orientation and position of the switch is usually the same regardless of the state of the switch, it can be difficult to ascertain whether the switch is ON or OFF.

[0006] Some push button switches indicate the state of the switch by providing a light that is either on or off to indicate the state of the switch, or changes colour (for example red for OFF and green for ON). Such systems require means of providing power to the indicator light and can increase the complexity and cost of such systems.

SUMMARY [0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a push button for use in a switch assembly, the push button comprising a push button status indicator for indicating a status of the switch assembly, wherein the push button status indicator is pivotally mounted within the push button and comprises a first magnetic material for magnetic interaction with a second magnetic material associated with an interface of the switch assembly, such that the push button status indicator pivots from a first state to a second state in accordance with the status of the switch assembly.

[0008] In some embodiments, the push button further comprises a status indicator window to allow a user to view at least a portion of the push button status indicator via the status indicator window.

[0009] According to a second aspect, there is provided a push button status indicator for use in a push button, the push button status indicator comprising a pivot mount for pivotally mounting the status indicator to the push button, a status indicator region; and a magnetic material for magnetically interacting with an interface magnetic material of a switch interface.

[0010] According to a third aspect, there is provided an interface for use in a switch assembly comprising a push button comprising a status indicator a and a functional part, wherein the interface is configured to, in use, convert linear motion from the push button into rocking motion to the functional part; and wherein the interface comprises a push button status indicator portion for interacting with the status indicator of the push button.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a switch assembly comprising an operational part comprising a push button according to the first aspect; a functional part comprising a plurality of electrical terminals and a switching element for selectively switching between two of the plurality of

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 electrical terminals; and an interface according to the third aspect, interfacing the operational part and the functional part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] Embodiments of the various aspects described herein will be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1A - shows a generalised exploded view of two sub-assembly parts of a switch assembly according to one aspect;

[0014] Figure IB - shows a generalised exploded view of the main components of the two subassemblies of the switch assembly of Figure 1A;

[0015] Figure 2A - shows a perspective front view of one embodiment of a switch system with assembly (push-button switch assembly) according to a first aspect;

[0016] Figure 2B - shows a perspective rear view of the embodiment of Figure 2A;

[0017] Figure 3 - shows a rear view of the operational part in the switch assembly in Figure 2;

[0018] Figure 4 - shows a perspective view of an interface perspective view of the operational part of Figure 3;

[0019] Figure 5 - shows a perspective top view of an interface included in the switch assembly;

[0020] Figure 6 - shows a cross-sectional view, along line A-A’ in Figure 2A, of a combination of a functional part, the interface of Figure 5, and an operational part within the embodiment of Figure 2A;

[0021] Figure 7 - shows a cross sectional view of the switch system along the line A-A’ of Figure 2A including the base unit and cover unit;

[0022] Figure 8A - shows a general view of a push button status indicator according to some embodiments;

[0023] Figure 8B - shows a general view of a push button status indicator according to some other embodiments;

[0024] Figure 8C - shows a general view of a push button status indicator according to some other embodiments;

[0025] Figure 8D - shows a general view of a push button status indicator according to some other embodiments;

[0026] Figure 9 - shows a push button with a push button status indicator;

[0027] Figure 10 - shows another embodiment of a push button;

[0028] Figure 11 - shows an embodiment of an interface for interacting with a push button status indicator;

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 [0029] Figure 12 - shows another embodiment of an interface for interacting with a push button status indicator;

[0030] Figure 13 - shows another embodiment of an interface for interacting with a push button status indicator;

[0031] Figure 14A - shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a push button status indicator; [0032] Figure 14B - shows a top view of the push button status indicator for Figure 14A;

[0033] Figure 14C - shows a rear view of the push button status indicator for Figure 14A;

[0034] Figure 14D - shows a left-side view of the push button status indicator for Figure 14A;

[0035] Figure 14E - shows a right-side view of the push button status indicator for Figure 14A;

[0036] Figure 15 - shows an embodiment of an interface according to another aspect for interacting with a push button status indicator;

[0037] Figure 16 - shows the interface of Figure 15 interacting with the push button status indicator of Figure 14A;

[0038] Figure 17A - shows a top perspective view of a push button according to an aspect;

[0039] Figure 17B - shows a rear view of the push button of Figure 17A;

[0040] Figure 18 - shows the push button of Figure 17A housing a push button status indicator;

[0041] Figure 19 - shows an embodiment of a base unit switch part according to another aspect;

[0042] Figure 20 - shows components of the base unit switch part of Figure 19 interacting with the push button status indicator of Figure 14A;

[0043] Figure 21A - shows a rear view of the arrangement of Figure 20 in an OFF state;

[0044] Figure 21B - shows the arrangement of Figure 21A in an ON state;

[0045] Figure 22 - shows the arrangement of Figure 20 with a push button to provide a switch assembly; and [0046] Figure 23 - shows a switch system according to another aspect with a push button status indicator.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0047] Various embodiments will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. The relative arrangement of components and shapes of devices in the embodiments are described merely as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these examples. Further, similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be discussed for following figures.

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 [0048] Figures 1A and IB show a general representation of the components of an embodiment of a switch assembly 500 according to one aspect. Broadly, in this aspect, switch assembly 500 comprises two sub-assemblies, being base unit switch part 510 and operational part 200. As shown in FIG. 1A, base unit switch part 510 comprises a functional part 100 and an interface 300.Operational part 200 is for actuation by a user and for controlling the functional part 100, via the interface 300, for interfacing the functional part 100 and the operational part 200.

[0049] It will be noted that the operational part 200 is not fixed to the interface 300 or the functional part and is able to move freely with respect thereto, for reasons as will be described further below.

[0050] Figure IB shows a further exploded general view of an embodiment of the switch assembly 500 of Figure 1A, in which it can be seen that in this embodiment, operational part 200 itself comprises two parts, namely user interface 201and carrier 202. In some embodiments, the user interface 201 and the carrier 202 are fixed together and in other embodiments, the user interface 201 and the carrier 202 are separable as will be described in more detail below.

[0051] Figure 2A is an exploded perspective front view of a switch system 1000, comprising a base unit 1100 and a cover unit or switch plate 1200. The switch assembly 500 (push-button switch assembly in this embodiment) is shown distributed between the base unit 1100 and cover unit or switch plate 1200, with the base unit switch part 510 being provided in the base unit 1100 and the functional part 200 (of which only the user interface 201 is visible in this view) being provided in the cover unit or switch plate 1200.FIGURE 2B is an exploded perspective rear view of the switch system 1000. As shown in FIGURE 2A, the switch assembly 500 includes the functional part 100, which in an embodiment is a switch mechanism, the operational part 200 which in this embodiment is a push button, and the interface 300.

[0052] As can be seen in Figures 2A and 2B, the operational part 200 can be freely removed from the base unit switch part (specifically the interface 300) and/or the functional part 100 as there is no connection between the operational part 200 and the interface 300/functional part 100.

[0053] In this embodiment, the operational part 200 comprises a user interface 201 (in this embodiment, a push-button 201A) and a carrier 202, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The operational part 200 is engaged in the plate 1200 through the carrier 202 which can be fitted into the plate 1200, as shown in Figure 2B. The push-button 201A is operated by a user to effect a switch on/off operation. Figure 2B shows one embodiment of the engagement of the carrier 202 to the plate 1200. However, a person skilled

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 in the art will understand that the engagement of the operational part 200 and the plate 1200 can be provided in any way which can connect the operational part 200 and the plate 1200 together.

[0054] When the cover unit or plate 1200 is connected to the base unit 1100, the functional part 100 and interface 300 are located behind the operational part 200 when viewed from the side of the cover unit 1200. The functional part 100 is controlled by the actuation of the operational part 200 to implement switch on/off operation through the interface 300. The functional part 100 is connected to the base unit 1100. This connection is by any suitable means including bonding, clipping, friction fit, gluing or by a means employing a sliding connector as described in co-pending patent application entitled “Connection System and Method for Electrical Outlets” previously incorporated by reference.

[0055] The interface 300 is disposed between the operational part 200 and the functional part 100, and is connected with the functional part 100 as described further below. Interface 300 is for interfacing the functional part 100 and the operational part 200 so as to transfer the user’s actuation operation (such as pushing the button or actuating the dolly) on the operational part 200 to the functional part 100.

[0056] In a conventional switch assembly, the operational part 200, especially, the push button 201 is fixed to the functional part 100 and cannot be removed or detached from the functional part 100.

[0057] However, according to an aspect described herein, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the operational part 200 is not fixed or connected to the interface 300 or to the functional part 100, but can be removed from the functional part 100 or the interface 300. For example, the operational part 200 can be caused to contact or engage with the functional part 100 or the interface 300 by only connecting the plate 1200 to the base unit 1100. Similarly, the operational part 200 can be removed or disengaged from the functional part 100 or the interface 300 by simply separating the plate 1200 from the base unit 1100. The details of the relationship of the three parts and principles of how the switch assembly 500 works will be explained later with reference to Figures 3-7.

[0058] Figure 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the operational part 200 in the switch assembly in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the operational part 200 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective top view of an interface 300 included in the switch assembly. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, along line A-A’ in Figure 2A, of a combination of a functional part 100, the interface 300 and an operational part 200 within the embodiment of Figure 2A. Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the switch

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 system 1000 along the line A-A’ of Figure 2A including the base unit 1100 and cover unit 1200.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, the operational part 200 includes one driver 203. As shown in the exploded perspective view of Figure 4, the operational part 200 includes push button 201A, driver spring 206, rod 205, driver 203, push-button spring 204 and carrier 202. The push button 201A is operated by a user to implement switching on and off. There is a protrusion at each of the two ends, on the side close to push button 201A, of the driver 203. The driver spring 206 is accommodated within the two protrusions. There are two through holes at the two protrusions, respectively. The rod 205 is inserted into the two through holes. The driver spring 206, the rod 205, and the driver 203 work together to be driven by the user to transfer the user’s operation to the functional part. The circular push-button spring 204 is around the driver spring 206, the rod 205, and the driver 203, and work together with push button 201A to achieve resilience of the push button 201A. The carrier 202 carries the push button 201, driver spring 206, rod 205, driver 203, and the push-button spring 204.

[0060] The details of the interface and how the switch assembly according to the first embodiment works will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 5 to Figure 7.

[0061] Figure 5 is a perspective top view of an embodiment of interface 300 included in the switch assembly 500 according to the first embodiment described previously.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, the interface 300 comprises first protrusion 301A and second protrusion 301B, first surface 302A, second surface 302B, and first top surface 303A and second top surface 303B. The protrusions 301A and 301B are located at each side of a centre 306 of the interface 300, respectively. In this embodiment, interface 300 also comprises first surface 302A and second surface 302B. In this embodiment, first surface 302A is outside the first protrusion 301A with respect to the centre 306 and second surface 302B is outside the second protrusion 301B with respect to the centre 306. First top surface 303A is disposed at the top of the first protrusion 301A. Second top surface 303B is at the top of the second protrusion 301B. As can be seen, the first surface 302A and second surface 302B are planar surfaces each disposed a first distance from the centre 306 of the interface 300 and the first top surface 303A and second top surface 303B are disposed above the first surface 302A and the second surface 302B, each at a second distance from the centre 306 of the interface. In one embodiment, the first distance is greater than the second distance. In another embodiment, (not shown), the first distance is less than the second distance.

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 [0063] Figure 6 shows how a push-button switch assembly of the first embodiment works. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, along line A-A’ in Figure 2A, of the switch assembly 500, being a combination of the functional part 100, the interface 300 and the operational part 200, with the perspective top view of the interface 300 also shown for ease of reference.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the push button 201A included in the operational part 200 is above the interface 300. In one embodiment, the interface 300 is connected to an actuating member 305. In some other embodiments, actuating member 305 is a part of, or integrated with, interface 300. The switching element 102 within the functional part 100 is under the actuating member 305 and is for making and breaking contact between terminals 103, 104 and 105 which in use, are connected to respective electrical conductors (not shown) carrying electrical current such as mains or supply current or current from another source. The effect of switching element 102 being rocked from one side to another is to create an electrical path between terminals 103 and 104 and breaking the electrical path between terminals 104 and 105, thereby effecting an on/off switching function under actuation of the actuating member 305as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0065] In the view of Figure 6, at the initial state, the push button 201A (specifically a corresponding surface of driver 203) contacts with the first top surface 303A located at the top of the first protrusion 301A. When the user pushes the push button 201A downwards, the first protrusion 301A of the interface 300 is pressed down, causing the actuating member 305 to swing towards the right side, since interface 300 is connected to functional part 100 via a pivot point 307 at centre 306. The switching element 102 is actuated correspondingly to change switching on/off status of the switch assembly 100 as previously described. At the same time, the second protrusion 301B moves up so that the second top surface 303B makes contact with the push button 201 A. When the push button 201A is pressed again in the position of contact with the second top surface 303B of second protrusion 301B, the second protrusion 301B is pressed down, causing the actuating member 305 to swing toward the left side. The switching element 102 is actuated correspondingly to change the switching on/off status of the switch assembly 100. At the same time, the first protrusion 301A moves up so that the first top surface 303A makes contact with the push button 201A. The same process is repeated when the user presses the push button 201A again.

[0066] As can be seen from Figure 6, the push button 201A moves linearly in an up and down motion, while through the transfer of the interface 300, the switching element 102 makes a rocker motion. That is, the interface 300 is configured to, in use, convert linear motion or force from the first operational part 200 into rocking motion or force to the functional part 100 when the operational part 200 is or includes a push

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 button 201 A.

[0067] According to another aspect, there is provided a switch assembly, and specifically, an operational part of a switch assembly, and more specifically, a push button 200, which is able to provide an indication of the status of the switch assembly (i.e. whether the switch assembly is ON or OFF).

[0068] According to this aspect, there is provided a push button status indicator for use in a push button, for indicating the status of the switch assembly which the push button is controlling.

[0069] In this aspect, the push button status indicator comprises a pivot mount for pivotally mounting the status indicator to the push button; a status indication region for providing status information to a user; and, a first magnetic material for magnetically interacting with a second magnetic material of a switch interface.

[0070] Figures 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D show a number of different general embodiments of push button status indicator 210. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8A, push button status indicator 210 comprises status indicator mount 211 for pivotally mounting the status indicator 210 within the push button 201 A. In some embodiments, status indicator mount 211 is an aperture through which a pin or rod may pass through. In some embodiments, status indicator mount 211 is a recess for receiving a pin or rod, and in some embodiments, status indicator mount 21 lis a pin or rod for inserting into a reciprocal aperture or recess of a part of the push button to thereby pivotally mount push button status indicator 210.

[0071] Also shown in Figure 8A is status indicator region 212. This region provides status information and may take on any suitable form including a number (e.g. “0” or “1”), letters (e.g. “ON” or “OFF”), a colour (e.g. green for ON and red for OFF), or a diagram or other indicia.

[0072] First magnetic material 213 is also provided, whose function will be described in more detail further below. It will be appreciated that the magnetic material can be any suitable material. In some embodiments, the magnetic material 213 is a ferromagnetic material that is able to act as a magnet itself and retains its magnetic properties after a magnetic field is removed. Such materials include iron and nickel. In some embodiments, the magnetic material is a paramagnetic material, that is, a material whose magnetic properties disappear after removal of a magnetic field, and include materials that are not magnetic in themselves but which are attracted to magnets. Such materials include aluminium and

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 platinum. Accordingly it will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the term “magnetic material” includes, among others, iron, chromium, aluminium, uranium, platinum, copper, cobalt, nickel as well as their metallic compounds and alloys with various other metals, and includes steel.

[0073] In some embodiments as shown in Figure 8A, first magnetic material 213 is provided on two opposite sides and is of the same magnetic polarity.

[0074] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8B, first magnetic material 213 is provided on one side and a second magnetic material 214 is provided on an opposite side, with first and second magnetic material having opposite magnetic polarities.

[0075] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8C, the entire push button status indicator 210 is made of the first magnetic material 213.

[0076] It will also be appreciated that the push button status indicator 210 can be of any suitable configuration, for example as shown in Figure 8D, having a status indicator mount 211 and in the example shown in Figure 8D, two (or more) separate status indicator regions 212a, 212b, with each region indicating one of the possible statuses of the switch.

[0077] According to this aspect, there is provided a push button 201A for use in a switch assembly, the push button comprising a switch status indicator 210 for indicating a status of the switch, wherein the switch indicator is pivotally mounted within the push button 201A and comprises a first magnetic material 213 for magnetic interaction with an interface magnetic material 310 associated with the switch assembly, such that the switch status indicator 210 pivots from a first state to a second state in accordance with the state of the switch assembly.

[0078] Figure 9 shows a general view of a push button 201A. There shown is push button status indicator 210 mounted within the push button 201A via status indicator mount 211. In some embodiments, push button status indicator 210 is mounted to a part of the push button 210A itself, or to another part of the operational part 200.

[0079] Also shown is status indicator region 212 providing status information.

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 [0080] In some embodiments, the material of push button 201A is transparent or translucent, to allow viewing of the status indicator region 212 therein. In some embodiments, only a part of the push button 201A allows viewing of the status indicator region 212. In some embodiments, this is provided by a push button status indicator window 215 as shown in Figure 10. In some embodiments, push button status indicator window 215 is an aperture in the surface of the push button 210A. In some embodiments, push button status indicator window 215 is a transparent or translucent piece providing a view of a portion of the status indicator region 212.

[0081] According to another aspect, there is provided an interface 300 wherein the interface is configured to, in use, convert linear motion from the operational part 200 into rocking motion to the functional part 100, and wherein the interface comprises a push button status indicator portion 320 for interacting with the push button status indicator 210.

[0082] Figure 11 shows a general view of an interface according to this aspect. Shown is interface 300 with push button status indicator portion 320. In some embodiments, push button status indicator portion 320 comprises a first interface magnetic material 310 as shown in Figure 11. In some embodiments, push button status indicator portion 320 comprises the first interface magnetic material 310 and a second interface magnetic material 311, of opposite polarity, as shown in Figure 12. In some embodiments, the entire push button status indicator portion 320 is made of a first interface magnetic material 310, as shown in Figure 13.

[0083] Figure 14A shows a perspective view of a push button status indicator 210 according to some specific embodiments. There shown is push button status indicator region 212, and specifically, separate regions 212a, 212b, each indicating a different status. In some embodiments, region 212a indicates an ON status, and region 212b indicates an OFF status. As previously described, this indication may be by any suitable means including colour, wording and/or graphics.

[0084] In some embodiments, push button status indicator 210 also has a status indicator contact part 216 as shown in Figures 14A-14E. The status indicator contact part 216 acts as the contact point with interface 300 as will be described in more detail below. Action on the contact part 216 causes equivalent action on the main body of push button status indicator 210. In some embodiments, status indicator contact part 216 supports the first and/or second magnetic material 213/214. In some embodiments, status indicator contact part 216 is made of first and/or second magnetic material, and in some embodiments, the entire push button status indicator 210 is made of the magnetic material. In some embodiments as will be

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 described further below, there is no magnetic material involved and actuation is caused by direct physical interaction with the interface 300. Figure 14A also shows status indicator mount 211, in these embodiments, provided as a rod.

[0085] Figure 14B shows a top view of push button status indicator 210. Figure 14C shows a rear view of push button status indicator 210. Figure 14D shows a left-side view of push button status indicator 210 and Figure 14E shows a right-side view of push button status indicator 210.

[0086] Figure 15 shows interface 300 according to some embodiments of this aspect. In these embodiments, interface 300 is as previously described, with the addition of push button status indicator portion 320 (in the embodiments shown in Figure 15, provided as two separate legs 320a, 320b). In some embodiments, push button status indicator portion 320 supports the first and/or second interface magnetic material 310/311. In some embodiments, push button status indicator portion 320 is made of first and/or second interface magnetic material 310/311, and in some embodiments, the entire push button status indicator portion is made of the interface magnetic material. In some embodiments still the entire interface 300 is made of the interface magnetic material. In some embodiments as will be described further below, there is no magnetic material involved and actuation is caused by direct physical interaction with the push button status indicator 210.

[0087] Figure 15 also shows first protrusion 301A and second protrusion 301B for engaging with corresponding surfaces of push button 201A as previously described, to effect the rocking action of the interface 300 in response to the pushing down of push button 201A by the user.

[0088] Figure 16 shows an example of an interaction between interface 300 and push button status indicator 210, and more particularly in this example, between push button status indicator portion 320a of interface 300 and status indicator contact part 216 of push button status indicator 210. In this example, suppose that push button status indicator portion 320a has on it, or is made of, a first interface magnetic material 310, and status indicator contact part 216 has on it, or is made of, a first magnetic material 213 that is attracted to the first interface magnetic material 310. As interface 300 rocks clockwise (in the view of Figure 16), push button status indicator portion 320a, and associated first interface magnetic material 310, approach push button status indicator 210, and in particular, status indicator contact part 216. Since status indicator contact part 216 has, or is made of, first magnetic material 213 which is attracted to first interface magnetic material 310, and since push button status indicator 210 is pivotally connected at status indicator mount 211, push button status indicator swivels anti-clock wise. This action places push button

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 status indicator region 212b underneath push button status indictor window 215, displaying the status information at 212b to the user (e.g. ON). This action will be described in more detail further below.

[0089] Figure 17A shows an embodiment of push button 210A, with push button status indicator window 215. Figure 17B shows an underside view of the push button of Figure 17A, showing push button status indicator support 217, which acts to support push button status indicator 210 as shown in Figure 18.

[0090] Figure 19 shows an embodiment of base unit switch part 510, including functional part 100 and interface 300.

[0091] Figure 20 shows some internal components of base unit switch part 510 of Figure 19, and in particular, interface 300 operationally connected to switching element 102, and terminals 103, 104, 105 as previously described. Figure 20 also shows the relationship of push button status indicator 210 and push button status indicator window 215.

[0092] Figures 21A and 21B show the switching action of the parts shown in Figure 20 (from a reverse view), and how the status information changes in accordance with a change in the status of the switch or switch assembly. In Figure 21 A, the status of the switch is as shown in Figure 20, with the status indicator region 212b displayed through status indicator window 215, and switching element in electrical contact with terminal 105. In one embodiment, this status is that the switch is OFF, and the information displayed by status indicator region 212b is OFF, as seen through window 215.

[0093] As the user pushes the push button 201A (see Figure 22) down to actuate the switch, push button 201A engages with first protrusion 301A to cause interface 300 to pivot clockwise (in the view of Figure 21B)(see arrow B) as previously described. This action causes switching element 102 to pivot anticlockwise (see arrow A) about point P to break electrical contact with terminal 105 and to make electrical contact with terminal 103, thus closing the circuit and turning the switch ON. At the same time, as interface 300 pivots clockwise, this brings push button status indicator portion 320b towards push button indicator 210, causing it to pivot anticlockwise (see arrow C), to bring status indicator region 212a to lie under status indicator window 215. As status indicator region 212a bears a status information of ON, the ON status of the switch or switch assembly is displayed to the user via status indicator window 215 as shown in Figure 21B. A further press of push button 201A will reverse the process and return the switch to the OFF state as shown in Figure 21 A.

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 [0094] It will be appreciated, that in some embodiments, the magnetic materials used can be selected to have different magnetic effects. For example, if first magnetic material 213 is provided on one side of push button indicator 210 and a second magnetic material 214 of opposite polarity to the first magnetic material is provided on the other side of push button status indicator 210, then the first interface magnetic material 310 maybe selected so as to attract first magnetic material 213, and second interface magnetic material 311 may be selected so as to attract second magnetic material 214. Conversely the respective magnetic materials may be selected so as to repel each other as they get closer, reversing the action described in relation to Figures 21A, 21B. Any suitable combination of magnetic materials polarities may be used to provide the desired result as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.

[0095] In another aspect, no magnetic material is used, and the actuation of the push button status indicator 210 is effected by the push button status indicator portions 320a, 320b of interface 300 by making physical contact with the push button status indicator and pushing it from one position to the other position as the interface 300 is rocked from one side to the other upon downward actuation of push button 210A by the user.

[0096] Figure 23 shows an embodiment of a switch system 1000, with base unit 1100 and cover unit 1200 as previously described. In this embodiment, push button 201A with status indicator window 215 is provided, to control the state of base unit switch part 510. In this embodiment, push button 201A contains the push button status indicator 210.

[0097] Although some specific embodiments of the various aspects have been demonstrated in detail with examples, it should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the above examples are only intended to be illustrative but not to limit the scope. It should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the above embodiments can be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the various aspects described. The scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

[0098] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

2019204598 28 Jun 2019 [0099] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims (5)

1. A push button for use in a switch assembly, the push button comprising:

a push button status indicator for indicating a status of the switch assembly, wherein the push button status indicator is pivotally mounted within the push button and comprises a first magnetic material for magnetic interaction with a second magnetic material associated with an interface of the switch assembly, such that the push button status indicator pivots from a first state to a second state in accordance with the status of the switch assembly.

2. A push button as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a status indicator window to allow a user to view at least a portion of the push button status indicator via the status indicator window.

3. A status indicator for use in a push button, the status indicator comprising:

a pivot mount for pivotally mounting the status indicator to the push button;

a status indicator region; and a magnetic material for magnetically interacting with an interface magnetic material of a switch interface.

4. An interface for use in a switch assembly comprising a push button comprising a status indicator as claimed in claim 3 and a functional part, wherein the interface is configured to, in use, convert linear motion from the push button into rocking motion to the functional part; and wherein the interface comprises a push button status indicator portion for interacting with the status indicator of the push button.

5. A switch assembly comprising:

an operational part comprising a push button as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2;

a functional part comprising a plurality of electrical terminals and a switching element for selectively switching between two of the plurality of electrical terminals; and an interface as claimed in claim 4, interfacing the operational part and the functional part.