B-pillar having electronic control device, and/or method of making the same

An electronic control device for a vehicle, comprising:

• a pillar initially molded clear and having an inner surface thereof painted a desired color, at least some of the paint being etched away to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, a recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar;
• control electronics inserted into the recess, the control electronics being configured to control features of the vehicle in response to a code input using the control buttons via the control electronics;
• and
• an adhesive arranged to seal the control electronics in the recess,
• wherein each said symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar.

A pillar for a vehicle including an electronic control device, the pillar being initially molded clear and having an inner surface thereof painted a desired color, at least some of the paint being etched away to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, the pillar comprising:

• a recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar;
• control electronics inserted into the recess, the control electronics being configured to control features of the vehicle in response to a code input using the control buttons via the control electronics;
• and
• an adhesive arranged to seal the control electronics in the recess,
• wherein each said symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar, and
• wherein the pillar is formed from acrylic.

A vehicle comprising a pillar and an electronic control device for the vehicle, the pillar being initially molded clear and having an inner surface thereof painted a desired color, at least some of the paint being etched away to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, the pillar comprising:

• a recess being formed in the inner surface of the pillar;
• control electronics inserted into the recess, the control electronics being configured to control features of the vehicle in response to a code input using the control buttons via the control electronics;
• and
• an adhesive arranged to seal the control electronics in the recess,
• wherein each said symbol is substantially flush with an outer surface of the pillar, and
• wherein the pillar is formed from acrylic.

A method of making an electronic control device for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• molding a vehicle trim component, the vehicle trim component being at least initially clear;
• painting an inner surface of the vehicle trim component a desired color;
• laser etching away areas of the paint from the inner surface of the vehicle trim component to form one or more symbols, at least some of said symbols corresponding to control buttons and/or indicators, each said symbol being substantially flush with an outer surface of the vehicle trim component;
• inserting control electronics into a recess formed in the vehicle trim component, the recess being formed in the inner surface of the vehicle trim component;
• and
• sealing the control electronics in the recess via an adhesive.