Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method
First Claim
1. In a family of lightweight automotive audio systems of similar but varying design, an individual family member audio system comprising:
- a housing assembly substantially formed of polymer based material including a box-like case having integrally formed side, top, bottom and rear wall portions and a front opening disposed generally symmetrically about an assembly axis, said housing assembly further including a front closure member cooperating with the case to enclose audio system subassemblies within a cavity defined by said housing assembly;
at least one radio receiver circuit consisting of a first grouping of electrical components carried on a first printed circuit board and a second grouping of electrical components disposed on a second printed circuit board;
means for electrically interconnecting said first and second printed circuit boards; and
a system of guide features integrally formed with said case and closure member operative to effect self-alignment and engagement of said first and second printed circuit boards in an orientation substantially parallel to said assembly axis,wherein each electrical component carried on said second printed circuit board and the respective arrangement thereof is common within each member of said family, andwherein certain electrical components or the arrangement thereof on said first printed circuit board differs from that of other members of said family.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.
148 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a family of lightweight automotive audio systems of similar but varying design, an individual family member audio system comprising:
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a housing assembly substantially formed of polymer based material including a box-like case having integrally formed side, top, bottom and rear wall portions and a front opening disposed generally symmetrically about an assembly axis, said housing assembly further including a front closure member cooperating with the case to enclose audio system subassemblies within a cavity defined by said housing assembly; at least one radio receiver circuit consisting of a first grouping of electrical components carried on a first printed circuit board and a second grouping of electrical components disposed on a second printed circuit board; means for electrically interconnecting said first and second printed circuit boards; and a system of guide features integrally formed with said case and closure member operative to effect self-alignment and engagement of said first and second printed circuit boards in an orientation substantially parallel to said assembly axis, wherein each electrical component carried on said second printed circuit board and the respective arrangement thereof is common within each member of said family, and wherein certain electrical components or the arrangement thereof on said first printed circuit board differs from that of other members of said family. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a family of lightweight automotive audio systems of similar but varying design, an individual family member audio system comprising:
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a housing assembly substantially formed of polymer based material including a box-like case having integrally formed side, top, bottom and rear wall portions and a front opening disposed generally symmetrically about an assembly axis, said housing assembly further including a front closure member cooperating with the case to enclose audio system subassemblies within a cavity defined by said housing assembly; at least one radio receiver circuit consisting of a first grouping of electrical components carried on a first printed circuit board and a second grouping of electrical components disposed on a second printed circuit board; means for electrically interconnecting said first and second printed circuit boards; and a system of guide features integrally formed with said case and closure member operative to effect self-alignment and engagement of said first and second printed circuit boards in an orientation substantially parallel to said assembly axis, wherein each electrical component carried on said second printed circuit board and the respective arrangement thereof is common within each member of said family, and wherein certain electrical components or the arrangement thereof on said first printed circuit board differs from that of other members of said family, wherein said housing assembly is formed of a composite of relatively rigid polymer material and electrically conductive material operable to shield said at least one audio component from electrical anomalies, and wherein said electrically conductive material comprises a wire screen insert molded within said polymer material and extending substantially continuously along the wall portions of said case and said front closure member.
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Specification