US 8,264,856 B2Granted

Lightweight audio system for automotive: applications and method

AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.

InventorsChris R. Snider, Edgar Glenn Hassler

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) 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 EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture integrally forms a resilient beam portion adjacent an edge thereof carrying a grounding pad. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A lightweight automotive electronic device comprising:

at least one electronic circuit subassembly including a substantially planer circuit board defining front, rear and an opposed pair of side edges, said electronic circuit subassembly further including electrical components and circuit traces operatively carried with said circuit board,
wherein said circuit board integrally forms an elongated resilient beam portion disposed adjacent one or more of the circuit board edges, said beam portion carrying an outwardly facing grounding pad electrically interconnected with said electrical components and circuit traces through a ground circuit trace dressed, at least in part, along the beam portion ;and
a housing assembly substantially formed of a composite of relatively rigid, electrically insulating polymer based material and electrically conductive sheet-like material operable to substantially enclose and to shield said at least one electronic circuit subassembly from electrical anomalies including RFI (radio frequency interference), EMI (electromagnetic interference), BCI (bulk current injection) and/or ESD (electrostatic discharge),
wherein said housing assembly includes at least one window formed therein, said window substantially closed by an inwardly exposed segment of said conductive material operative to effect electrical interconnection between said conductive material and said grounding pad.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/713,650Filed 26 Feb 2010 · continuation in part
Priority: 15 Aug 2007
Published: US 2010/0166211 A11 Jul 2010
Granted: 11 Sep 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H04B 1/082
Constructional details, e.g. cabinet: to be used in vehicles
H05K 1/0215
Electrical arrangements not otherwise provided for: grounding of printed circuits by connection to external grounding means
H05K 7/20436
Characterised by the heat transfer by conduction from the heat generating element to a dissipating body: inner thermal coupling elements in heat…
H05K 1/141
Structural association of two or more printed circuits: one or more single auxiliary printed circuits mounted on a main printed circuit, e.g.…

Family

Application11/893,357Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 15 Aug 2007
Application61/156,105Us provisional application · filed 17 Feb 2009
US 2010/0166211 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Jul 2010
US 7,733,659 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2008/0049949 A1Published application
US 8,264,856 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.