Chassis for an Electrical Component

• US 20090268411A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Baker, Alex Wade
• Granted Patent: US 7,817,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/724
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A chassis configured to receive an electrical component for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The chassis includes an upper portion and a lower portion that releasably attach to a central portion using tabs. The chassis is constructed of a conductive plastic that facilitates RF shielding and sufficiently reduces the weight of the chassis.

Claims

1. A chassis for an electrical component configured to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising:

an integral central portion having side walls;

an upper portion and a lower portion;

the upper portion being associated with the central portion by the use of a first tab and a first tab receiving portion;

the lower portion being associated with the central portion by the use of a second tab and a second tab receiving portion; and

wherein the first tab receiving portion is substantially flexible and deflects when engaging the first tab and wherein the second tab receiving portion is substantially flexible and deflects when engaging the second tab.

2. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a middle shelf portion.

3. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the first tab associates with the first tab receiving portion in a direction perpendicular to the upper portion.

4. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the second tab associates with the second tab receiving portion in a direction perpendicular to the lower portion.

5. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the central portion, the upper portion and the lower portion are made of a conductive plastic.

6. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion includes four tab receiving portions.

7. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion includes four tab receiving portions.

8. The chassis according to claim 1, wherein the central portion includes eight tabs.

9. A chassis for an electrical component configured to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a central portion, a lower portion and an upper portion;

the central portion, the lower portion and the upper portions being made of a conductive plastic; and

wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are attached to the central portion by pressing the upper portion and the lower portion against the central portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper portion and the lower portion.

10. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the central portion includes a first tab and the upper portion includes a first tab receiving portion and wherein the central portion includes a second tab and the lower portion includes a second tab receiving portion.

11. The chassis according to claim 10, wherein the conductive plastic provides flexibility for the first tab and the first tab receiving portion and for the second tab and the second tab receiving portion.

12. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the conductive plastic provides RF shielding for the electrical component.

13. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the chassis is configured to receive a printed circuit board.

14. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the chassis is configured to receive an audio component.

15. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the chassis is configured to receive a navigation system.

16. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the central portion includes at least one cut out portion configured to receive a portion of an electrical component.

17. The chassis according to claim 16, wherein the lower portion includes at least one covering member that is configured to cover a portion of the cut out portion.

18. The chassis according to claim 17, wherein a first width of the covering member is larger than a second width of the cut out portion.

19. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the lower portion includes a channel configured to receive the central portion and wherein the channel is configured to prevent gaps between the lower portion and the central portion.

20. The chassis according to claim 9, wherein the upper portion includes a channel configured to receive the central portion and wherein the channel is configured to prevent gaps between the lower portion and the central portion.

21. A method of assembling a chassis for an electrical component configured to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

associating a central portion of the chassis with an upper portion of the chassis, the central portion being configured to receive an electrical component;

pressing a tab receiving portion of the upper portion over a tab of the central portion; and

thereby connecting the upper portion to the central portion.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the tab receiving portion is substantially flexible.

23. The method according to claim 22, comprising the step of deflecting the substantially flexible tab receiving portion to engage the tab.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the central portion includes a middle shelf portion.

25. The method according to claim 24, comprising the step of attaching an electrical component to the middle shelf portion of the central portion.