Automatic temperature and humidity regulation – Ventilator type – Electrically actuated
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-17
2003-09-16
Norman, Marc (Department: 3744)
Automatic temperature and humidity regulation
Ventilator type
Electrically actuated
C361S695000, C236SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06619556
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to a control for a motor vehicle and, more specifically, to an automatic climate control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, automotive climate control heads have utilized an infrared sensor in combination with a thermistor or have utilized an aspirated thermistor by itself.
FIG. 1A
depicts a typical prior art automotive climate control head
100
with an integrated infrared sensor
102
. Such control heads have typically included a number of switch pads
104
for controlling various functions of an automotive climate control system. Such systems have generally also included a display
115
for displaying cabin temperature associated with a driver of the vehicle, as well as, in many cases, an occupant of the vehicle.
FIG. 1B
depicts a portion of a typical printed circuit board (PCB) assembly
110
that has, in conjunction with the control head
100
, allowed an occupant of the vehicle to provide input to the automotive climate control system. As is shown in
FIG. 1B
, the PCB assembly
110
includes a printed circuit board (PCB)
114
that includes a number of switch contacts that interface with collapsible switch domes
106
of a flexible switch pad
112
. As is also shown in
FIG. 1B
, the display
115
and a sensor holder
116
, which positions the infrared sensor
102
an appropriate distance from the PCB
114
, are mounted to the PCB
114
. With reference to
FIG. 1C
, the sensor holder
116
has been a molded plastic holder that receives a thermistor
120
and the IR sensor
102
and properly orients the thermistor
120
with respect to the infrared sensor
102
. In such a prior art assembly, thermal grease has typically been required to transfer heat from a bottom of the infrared sensor
102
to the thermistor
120
.
FIG. 2A
depicts a front view of a typical prior art automotive control head
200
that includes an integrated aspirated sensor grill
202
and a plurality of switch pads
204
, which provides various input to a climate control system of a motor vehicle. As is also shown in
FIG. 2A
, the automotive control head
200
includes a display
206
, which may display the cabin temperature associated with a driver of the motor vehicle and may also display the cabin temperature associated with a passenger of the motor vehicle.
FIG. 2B
depicts a cross-sectional view of an aspirated sensor assembly
210
, which is located behind the automotive climate control head
200
. As is shown in
FIG. 2B
, the grill
202
is incorporated within a top surface of faceplate
222
, which is typically formed in a cylindrical manner and extends from a printed circuit board (PCB)
214
toward an interior of the control head
200
. The PCB
214
includes an aperture
224
across which a thermistor
220
is located. A case
226
, which houses a fan
228
, also includes a grill
230
incorporated at a bottom surface. The fan
228
, when in operation, pulls air through the grill
202
and exhausts air out the grill
230
. In this manner, cabin air is brought across the thermistor
220
to provide an indication of the current cabin temperature. In an effort to prevent temperature contamination of the thermistor
220
from other components located on the PCB
214
, a circular seal
232
has been located between the faceplate
222
and the PCB
214
and a seal
234
has been located between the bottom of the PCB
214
and the case
226
. It should be appreciated that sensor assemblies, such as the aspirated sensor assembly
210
, as is illustrated in
FIG. 2B
, includes a number of components which must be individually manufactured and which also require assembly.
What is needed is a temperature sensor holder that can properly transfer heat between an infrared sensor and its associated thermistor that does not require thermal grease. Further, it would be desirable to provide an aspirated sensor for an automotive climate control head that does not require separate seals to block thermal contamination of an associated thermistor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an automatic climate control for a motor vehicle that includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible conductive switch pad and a temperature sensor. The flexible conductive switch pad includes a structure that is formed in conjunction with the flexible conductive switch pad. A switch dome of the flexible conductive switch pad is shaped to make electrical contact with switch contacts formed on the PCB responsive to activation of the switch dome. A portion of the structure includes a localized thermally conductive filler material that uses the conductive switch pad base material for an elastomeric binder and a temperature sensor is positioned within the structure and electrically coupled to sensor contacts on the PCB.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the structure functions as a ductwork and the thermally conductive material provides temperature isolation for the temperature sensor positioned within the ductwork. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor includes an infrared sensor and a thermistor both electrically coupled to different ones of the sensor contacts of the PCB and the structure functions as a temperature sensor holder, which is affixed to the PCB. The temperature sensor holder includes a first recess for receiving the thermistor and a second recess for receiving the infrared sensor and a shape of the temperature sensor holder defines an orientation between the PCB and the temperature sensor. In this embodiment, a portion of the temperature sensor holder that is in contact with infrared sensor and the thermistor is constructed with the thermally conductive filler material within the elastomeric binder of the switchpad, such as silicone rubber, which facilities heat transfer from a base of the infrared sensor to the thermistor.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4824013 (1989-04-01), Gouldey
patent: 5008775 (1991-04-01), Schindler et al.
patent: 5364025 (1994-11-01), Terry
patent: 5731953 (1998-03-01), Sakurai
patent: 5772326 (1998-06-01), Batko et al.
patent: 6082894 (2000-07-01), Batko et al.
patent: 6102296 (2000-08-01), Snider
Snider Chris R.
Wallace Darcy M.
Chmielewski Stefan V.
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Norman Marc
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