Instrument panel switch assembly configured to require low insertion force and provide high retention force

A switch assembly insertable into an aperture formed in an instrument panel, the aperture having opposing edges, the switch assembly comprising:

• a body insertable into the aperture and having opposing sides;
• a base connected to the body and having integrally molded first and second retention arms extending therefrom, each of said first and second retention arms having a first end connected to the base and a second end configured to abut against a respective one of said opposing edges to retain the body in the aperture;
• and
• a rib upstanding from one of the body and a respective one of the retention arms for abutting the other of the body and the respective one of the retention arms at each of the opposing sides of the body, each said rib extending sufficiently from said one to abut said other when the second end of the respective one of the retention arms abuts the respective opposing edge, thereby increasing an amount of force required to remove the body from the aperture by forming a fulcrum between the first and second ends of each of the first and second retention arms.

A switch assembly insertable into an aperture formed in an instrument panel, the switch assembly comprising:

• a body insertable into the aperture;
• a rotary potentiometer housed within the body;
• a control knob engaged with the rotary potentiometer and having first and second integrally molded radial stopper edges;
• and
• first and second stop portions integrally molded with the body and engageable with the first and second stopper edges, respectively, for limiting rotary travel of the potentiometer.