Electronic module for universal garage door opener and assembly method

• US 7,098,411 B1
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: McConnell, John E., Pierik, Bruce, Stack, John, Masters, Brian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US11/275,036
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.A, 200/310, 200312-314, 200341-345, 200/5.R, 341/22, 345168-169, 400490-496
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/064 Optical isolation of switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/044 Elastic part on actuator or casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/004 One molded part

Abstract

An electronic module that is activated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver. The module has a housing with an upper portion that is secured in relation to a vehicle. A lower portion of the housing has mating apertures and openings provided therein. A set of staking posts extends from an upper face of one or more buttons. The staking posts have a leading end that is registrable with the mating apertures that are provided in the lower portion of the housing. A set of actuating posts also extends from the upper face of the button. Those posts extend within at least some of the openings that are defined in the lower portion of the housing. Optionally, an array of light pipes is in optical communication with a set of switches. One of the switches can be closed following contact by a leading end of one of the posts when a button is depressed. A printed circuit board is positioned in operative communication with one or more of the buttons so that upon touching a button, a circuit in the circuit board is closed by one of the switches. A signal is then sent wirelessly to a remote receiver.

Claims

1. An electronic module that is actuated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver, the module having

a housing having an upper portion that is secured in relation to a vehicle and a lower portion that has mating apertures and openings provided therein, the lower portion having an upper face and a lower face;

one or more buttons, the one or more buttons having an upper face;

a set of staking posts extending from the upper face of the one or more buttons, the posts each having a leading end and being registrable with the mating apertures, thereby positioning the upper face of the one or more buttons with the lower portion of the housing;

a set of actuating posts also extending from the upper face of the one or more buttons, the set of actuating posts extending within the openings defined in the lower portion of the housing; and

a printed circuit board including one or more switches positioned in operative communication with one of the one or more buttons so that upon touching a button, a switch in the circuit board is closed following contact by the leading end of one of the set of actuating posts when one of the one or more buttons is depressed, a signal is sent wirelessly to the remote receiver, and an annunciating signal is communicated to an operator of the module.

2. The electronic module of claim 1, further comprising

a living hinge that connects the upper and lower portions of the housing.

3. The electronic module of claim 1, further comprising a tactile surface associated with at least one of the buttons in the one or more buttons to imbue the at least one button array with a soft touch feel.

4. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the remote receiver is a garage door opener.

5. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the remote receiver is associated with a security system.

6. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the one or more buttons comprise three buttons.

7. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the set of staking posts comprises four posts.

8. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein the set of actuating posts comprises three posts.

9. The electronic module of claim 1 wherein there are three buttons and three actuating posts.

10. The electronic module of claim 1, further comprising an indicator showing that a button has been activated and that a signal has been sent to the remote device.

11. The electronic module of claim 1, wherein the array of buttons is provided with a textured surface.

12. The electronic module of claim 1, further including an array of light pipes that is secured to the upper face of the lower portion of the housing.

13. An electronic module that is actuated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver, the module having

a housing having an upper portion that is secured in relation to a vehicle and a lower portion that has mating apertures and openings provided therein, the lower portion having an upper face and a lower face;

one or more means for actuating, the means for actuating having an upper face;

means for positioning the means for actuating with respect to a housing, the means for positioning extending from the upper face of the means for actuating, the means for positioning having a leading end and being registrable with the mating apertures, thereby positioning the upper face of the means for actuating with the lower portion of the housing;

means for contacting a switch also extending from the upper face of the means for actuating, the means for contacting extending within the opening as defined in the lower portion of the housing;

means for transmitting an annunciating signal, the means for transmitting being secured to the upper face of the lower portion of the housing; and

a printed circuit board positioned in operative communication with the means for actuation so that when such means are actuated, the circuit in the circuit board is closed and a signal is sent wirelessly to the remote receiver.

14. A method for assembling an electronic module that is actuated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

A. placing a button array face down into a locating nest;

B. placing a housing over the button array and nesting the housing to the button array;

C. placing a light pipe array into the housing and locating the light pipe array therewithin;

D. staking the button array and the light pipe array;

E. placing a printed circuit board into the housing; and

F. folding the housing, securing it in a closed position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein step D comprises using a hot air cold upset staking process.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein step F comprises curing the closed and folded housing by using snap locks.