Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-10-09
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S737000, C361S752000, C361S726000, C235S03000R, C340S459000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301118
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to control units, also referred to as control panels, of the type having a printed circuit which is intended most particularly for use in a motor vehicle, especially for the purpose of being actuated by an occupant of the vehicle in order to control some function of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Control panels of this type are already known which comprise a body having a front panel, a printed circuit carried by the front panel, and a display device which is connected to the printed circuit and which is located behind a window formed through the front panel. Such a panel may for example be used for controlling an installation for heating and/or air conditioning the cabin of a motor vehicle.
The front panel of the control panel (or control unit) is conventionally incorporated in a substantially vertical position within the fascia or console of the motor vehicle, so that the display device can be visible to the driver. Conventionally again, the front panel contains a keypad consisting of a plurality of touch elements such as buttons or the like, which are arranged to be operated by the driver of the vehicle. The front panel generally contains lighting means for the purpose of illuminating the keypad and various symbols or pictorial displays, especially for use when driving at night. In addition, the front panel usually contains indicator lights such as light emitting diodes, which light up when the control unit is in operation.
Control units of the type just discussed are known in which the printed circuit comprises a single circuit board disposed parallel to the front panel. This arrangement has the disadvantage that it leaves too little space available to accommodate conveniently the electronic components and the connecting tracks associated with the printed circuit.
Control units of the same type are also known in which the printed circuit comprises two circuit boards arranged at right angles to each other, and also arranged to be able to be separated from each other or in contact with each other. This particular arrangement makes it necessary to make some kind of special provision for fastening the display device behind the front panel of the control unit. These fastening means may for example consist of a flexible connection between the display device and one of the circuit boards of the printed circuit, and this then makes it necessary to provide a connection between the two circuit boards.
The said means may also consist of a seal or lugs bearing on the display device, which then makes it necessary to provide a suitable flexible component such as a braid, consisting of connecting wires between the display device itself and one of the printed circuit boards.
All of these arrangements are costly and do not always enable correct retention of the display device in engagement behind the front panel to be guaranteed. As a result of this, vibrations can be set up, and a gap may appear at the perimeter of the display device.
DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks. A particular object of the invention is to obtain a control panel or control unit of the type discussed above, which enables the display device to be held in correct engagement against the front panel, regardless of any manufacturing tolerances.
According to the invention, a control unit, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a body having a front panel, a printed circuit carried by the body, and a display device connected to the printed circuit and located behind a window in the front panel, is characterised in that: the printed circuit comprises a first circuit board, called a “front circuit board” (or keypad interface board), located behind the front panel and having an aperture, together with a second circuit board referred to as a “computer circuit board”, which is disposed in such a way as to define a given angle with respect to the front circuit board, the computer circuit board including an extension portion adapted to pass through the aperture in the front circuit board; in that the said extension portion carries the display device; and in that retaining means are interposed between the computer circuit board and the body for holding the display device in a defined position with respect to the front panel.
Thus, the control unit of the invention has two printed circuit boards which are disposed so as to make an angle between them, and which interpenetrate due to the fact that the extension portion of the computer circuit board passes through the aperture in the front circuit board, which extension portion carries the display device itself.
Because of the above mentioned retaining means, the position of the computer circuit board can be easily adjusted in such a way that the display device will be in a position which is defined with respect to the front panel, that is to say generally in direct or indirect engagement with, and behind, a rear face of the front panel. As a result, the display device is held firmly flat against the back of the front panel, avoiding any gap or clearance, and this improves sealing against the ingress of dust, besides improving the general appearance. In addition, it eliminates any risk of noise due to vibration, and enables the effect of manufacturing tolerances to be ignored. A further advantage of this arrangement is that it reduces the connections between the display device and the computer circuit board, and gives improved protection against electrical discharges, by separating the connecting system from the front panel.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front circuit board and the computer circuit board are disposed at right angles to each other. Preferably the front circuit board is substantially parallel to a rear face of the front panel, while the computer circuit board is substantially at right angles to the same rear face of the front panel.
The front circuit board preferably carries electrical contacts arranged to establish a connection with a control keypad carried by the front panel and/or with means for illuminating the front panel.
Preferably the front circuit board is a single-face printed circuit carrying two opposed connecting networks, or it may be a double-face printed circuit. As to the computer circuit board, this is preferably a printed circuit of the double-face type.
According to another preferred feature of the invention, the control unit includes electrical means for connecting the front circuit board with the computer circuit board, this connecting means also determining the mutual positioning of the two circuit boards. Such connecting means are arranged to provide the required electrical connections regardless of the mutual positions of the two circuit boards in space, in order to permit adjustment of the position of the computer circuit board.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting means include at least one pin-type connector and at least one socket having contacts for making mutual electrical contact.
Preferably, the connecting means comprise at least one connector carried by the front circuit board, and at least one socket carried by the computer circuit board. In one embodiment, the front circuit board and the computer circuit board carry respectively two connectors and two sockets. In that case, the pins of the connectors preferably extend at right angles to the front circuit board.
In another embodiment of the invention, the connection means comprise a flexible element made up of electrical conductors, such as a braid or the like.
The retaining means may be made in the form of adjustable fastening means. Such adjustable means preferably comprise at least one screw which is arranged to extend through an oblong hole formed through the computer circuit board, the screw then being arranged to engage in a hole in the body. In another version, the retaining means may be made in the form of means which act as permanent springs.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the con
Lacroix Louis
Toussaint Alain
Dinh Tuan
Gaffin Jeffrey
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Valeo Electronique
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