Visor assembly incorporating an electronic control module

• US 7,458,627 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: McConnell, John E., Tiesler, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US11/682,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20080217950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 296/97.1, 296/97.5, 307/10.1, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72
• 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;

a bezel provided on an inner surface of the first wall; 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.

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

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bezel is integrally formed on the inner surface of the first wall.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bezel is secured to the inner surface of the first wall.

5. The assembly of claim 1 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.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured to the bezel.

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

12. 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.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the bezel is integrally formed on the inner surface of the first wall.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the bezel is secured to the inner surface of the first wall.

15. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a cover plate disposed on the outer surface of the second wall cooperating with the one or more openings.

16. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured to the inner surface of the first wall.

17. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the circuit board of the electronic control module is secured to the bezel.

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

19. 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;

a bezel provided on an inner surface of one of the first and second walls adjacent channel formed in the wall;

one or more openings formed in one of the first and second walls opposite the bezel; 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 opening in one of the first and second walls in the visor housing that are configured to transmit the signal when actuated.

20. The assembly of claim 19 further comprising a cover plate disposed on the outer surface of one of the first and second walls cooperating with the one or more openings.