Visor Assembly Incorporating an Electronic Control Module

• US 20080217950A1
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: McConnell, John E., Tiesler, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/97.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0204 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors

Abstract

A visor assembly configured for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a first wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface including a channel formed therein and a bezel provided on the inner surface of the first wall cooperating with the channel. A second wall cooperates with the first wall to form a visor housing and a cavity defined therein. One or more openings are formed through the second wall. An electronic control module is disposed in the visor housing and includes a printed circuit board including one or more switches positioned in operative communication with one or more buttons extending at least partially through the second wall in the visor housing. The module includes a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal to control one or more remote devices when the one or more buttons are actuated by a user.

Claims

1. A visor assembly configured for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a visor housing having first and second walls each defining an outer surface, an inner surface and a cavity defined therebetween; and

an electronic control module disposed in the visor housing, the module including a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal to control one or more remote devices,

wherein the module further includes one or more buttons extending at least partially through the second wall in the visor housing that are configured to transmit the signal when actuated by a user.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the visor housing further comprises a bezel provided on an inner surface of the wall cooperating with a channel formed through the wall of the visor housing.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the bezel is integrally formed as a cavity on the inner surface of the first wall.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the bezel is secured to the inner surface of the first wall.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein a reflective surface is received by the bezel and positioned adjacent the channel.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more openings are formed in the second wall to receive the one or more buttons of the at least one electronic control module.

7. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising a cover plate disposed on the outer surface of the second wall cooperating with the one or more openings.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the electronic control module further comprises a printed circuit board including one or more switches positioned in operative communication with one of the one or more buttons.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured to the inner surface of the first wall by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is received by secured to the inner surface of the first wall by one or more projections formed in the inner surface of the first wall.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured by a chemical compound to the bezel.

12. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured by mechanical attachment to a rear portion of the reflective surface disposed in the bezel.

13. A visor assembly configured for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a first wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface including a channel formed therein;

a bezel provided on the inner surface of the first wall cooperating with the channel;

a second wall cooperating with the first wall to form a visor housing having a cavity defined therein, the second wall including an outer surface, an inner surface and one or more openings formed therethrough;

an electronic control module disposed in the visor housing having a printed circuit board including one or more switches positioned in operative communication with one or more buttons extending at least partially through the second wall in the visor housing,

wherein the module includes a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal to control one or more remote devices when the one or more buttons are actuated by a user.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the bezel is integrally formed as a cavity on the inner surface of the first wall.

15. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the bezel is secured to the inner surface of the first wall.

16. The assembly of claim 13 further comprising a cover plate disposed on the outer surface of the second wall cooperating with the one or more openings.

17. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured to the inner surface of the first wall by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

18. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured by a chemical compound to the bezel.

19. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured by mechanical attachment to a rear portion of the reflective surface disposed in the bezel.

20. An electronic module configured for use in connection with a visor assembly, the electronic module comprising:

a printed circuit board secured to an inner surface of a first wall of a visor housing, the printed circuit board including one or more switches;

one or more buttons positioned in operative communication with the one or more switches, the one or more buttons extending at least partially through a second wall in the visor housing; and

a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal to control one or more remote devices when the one or more buttons are actuated by a user.