B-pillar having electronic control device, and/or method of making the same
First Claim
1. A method of making an electronic control device for a vehicle, the method comprising:
- molding a pillar, the pillar being at least initially clear;
painting an inner surface of the pillar a desired color;
laser etching away areas of the paint from the inner surface of the pillar to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, each said symbol being substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar;
inserting control electronics into a recess formed in the pillar, the recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar; and
sealing the control electronics in the recess via an adhesive.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Certain example embodiments relate to a vehicle pillar (e.g., a B-pillar) electronic control device, and/or a method of making the same. A pillar is molded, with the pillar being at least initially clear. An inner surface of the pillar is painted a desired color. Areas of the paint are laser etched away from the inner surface of the pillar to form one or more symbols. At least some of the symbols correspond to control buttons and/or indicators. Each symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar. Control electronics are inserted into a recess formed in the pillar, with the recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar. The control electronics are sealed in the recess via an adhesive. The adhesive may have a foam core. The pillar may be substantially impermeable with respect to debris and/or other elements.
19 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of making an electronic control device for a vehicle, the method comprising:
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molding a pillar, the pillar being at least initially clear; painting an inner surface of the pillar a desired color; laser etching away areas of the paint from the inner surface of the pillar to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, each said symbol being substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar; inserting control electronics into a recess formed in the pillar, the recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar; and sealing the control electronics in the recess via an adhesive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic control device for a vehicle, comprising:
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a pillar initially molded clear and having an inner surface thereof painted a desired color, at least some of the paint being etched away to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, a recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar; control electronics inserted into the recess, the control electronics being configured to control features of the vehicle in response to a code input using the control buttons via the control electronics; and an adhesive arranged to seal the control electronics in the recess, wherein each said symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A pillar for a vehicle including an electronic control device, the pillar being initially molded clear and having an inner surface thereof painted a desired color, at least some of the paint being etched away to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, the pillar comprising:
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a recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar; control electronics inserted into the recess, the control electronics being configured to control features of the vehicle in response to a code input using the control buttons via the control electronics; and an adhesive arranged to seal the control electronics in the recess, wherein each said symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar, and wherein the pillar is formed from acrylic. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A vehicle comprising a pillar and an electronic control device for the vehicle, the pillar being initially molded clear and having an inner surface thereof painted a desired color, at least some of the paint being etched away to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, the pillar comprising:
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a recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar; control electronics inserted into the recess, the control electronics being configured to control features of the vehicle in response to a code input using the control buttons via the control electronics; and an adhesive arranged to seal the control electronics in the recess, wherein each said symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar, and wherein the pillar is formed from acrylic. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of making an electronic control device for a vehicle, the method comprising:
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molding a vehicle trim component, the vehicle trim component being at least initially clear; painting an inner surface of the vehicle trim component a desired color; laser etching away areas of the paint from the inner surface of the vehicle trim component to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, each said symbol being substantially flush with an outer surface of the vehicle trim component; inserting control electronics into a recess formed in the vehicle trim component, the recess being formed in the inner surface of the vehicle trim component; and sealing the control electronics in the recess via an adhesive.
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Specification