Back to results
US 8,804,344 B2Granted
Injection molded control panel with in-molded decorated plastic film
OwnerScott Moncrieffinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided are systems and methods for a control assembly including: a first film that is in-molded that includes decorative graphics, a front surface and a rear surface; and a second film molded to the rear surface of the first film having a printed circuit that includes sensors, control circuits and interconnects and a front and rear surface.
Claims9
A method comprising:
- printing a first film and forming, trimming and applying decorative graphics to the first film;
- printing a second film and forming, trimming and placing a printed circuit frame on the second film;
- mounting components of a printed circuit into the printed circuit frame and programming and testing the printed circuit on the second film;
- placing the first and second film together in a mold and injecting the mold with molding resin between the films to form a resin core;
- and
- inspecting the finished panel and packaging and shipping the finished panel once it has been tested,
- wherein mounting components of a printed circuit into the printed circuit frame and programming and testing the printed circuit on the second film further comprises:
- applying conductive silver epoxy aligned to component mounting pads;
- dispensing glue at every component location to insure solid bonding with the second film;
- placing components either manually or using conventional automated pick-and-place robotic placement equipment;
- and
- curing conductive epoxy and glue at a manufacturer's recommended time and temperature if required.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.