Lear Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

War Corporation

John Burca

Frank Buccinna

Frank Goemmel

Peter Kowtun

John Stack

Bruce Pierik

Leonard E Pagano

Wojciech A Makiej

Scott Hall

Qiling Yu

Karthik Narayan

Raymond Laprairie

Alan Honda

Jennifer Carpino

Stephen M Doyle

Jeffrey A White

Robert Wegrzyn

Battery fretting or corrosion in a key fob is reduced or even eliminated by firmly holding the fob's battery against electrical contacts and holding the battery away from key fob components that are subject to deformation or deflection. Reduced battery movement relative to electrical contacts thus reduces or eliminates abrasion of the battery's electrically conductive surfaces.

Key fob battery fretting corrosion inhibitor

A self-venting device includes a first component having an interior, a second component coupled to the first component so as to close the interior, and seal structure engaged between the first and second components in a sealed state so as to seal the interior from external agents. The seal structure includes a plurality of seal members, each having a resilient seal tip extending therefrom. The seal tips are constructed and arranged such that 1) when pressure inside the interior is equal to pressure outside of the device, the seal tips are compressed between the first and second components in the sealed state, and 2) when pressure in the interior is greater than the pressure outside of the device causing the second component to move away from the first component, the seal tips move to an unsealed state, permitting air to exit from the interior.

Key fob seal structure with pressure release capability

An electronic input control assembly adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The input control assembly includes an input control module and an actuator module. The actuator module has one or more actuators that are manually activated by a user. Advantageously, the input control module and the actuator module are moveably attached in a manner allowing relative motion which facilitates alignment when the input control assembly is placed within a receiving assembly. A garage door opener utilizes this adjustable design. A method of assembly the input control assembly is described.

Input control module with adaptive actuators

In at least one embodiment, a keyfob assembly comprising a housing and a battery chamber is provided. The housing includes a plurality of electrical components positioned therein for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals to a vehicle. The battery chamber is positioned within the housing and includes at least one removable battery operably coupled to the electrical components for powering the electrical components. The battery chamber is capable of being slideably removed from the housing to facilitate battery exchange.

Modular keyfob with pivoting armatures

A keyless entry device includes a rear casing having a first surface extending along a periphery of the rear casing member, an electronic circuit located in the rear casing member and including comprising a substrate and switching elements supported on the substrate, a front casing including a second surface facing the first surface and extending along a periphery of the rear casing member having button apertures aligned with a switching element. A seal element of compressible elastic material includes a peripheral flange comprising multiple protrusions located between the first surface and the second surface, the protrusions producing elastic preloaded contact between the front and rear casing members when the device is assembled, and pedestals aligned with a button aperture and a switching element. Button caps are aligned with a button aperture and located above one of the pedestals.

Sealed remote keyless entry device

A remote function actuator with pressure equalization. A base or enclosure of the actuator (key fob) has one or more openings covered by a breathable waterproof membrane. The opening allows pressure equalization between the inside of the actuator and the outside environment, and the membrane material maintains the enclosure watertight for the electronic system positioned inside the actuator. Positioning the membrane in a recess and/or under a cover member helps protect the membrane from being damaged.

Remote function actuator with pressure equalizer

A key fob for housing at least one electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system includes a main body having at least one actuator button. The actuator button is operable to control an electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system. The main body includes a first detent mechanism. The key fob further includes a cap moveably connected to the main body. The cap is moveable between a closed position and an open position such that in the closed position the cap at least partially covers the actuator button and such that in the open position the cap at least partially exposes the actuator button. The cap includes a second detent mechanism. The second detent mechanism is operable to cooperate with the first detent mechanism to lock the cap relative to the main body in one of the closed position and the open position.

Key fob with detent mechanism

An illuminated assembly such as an illuminated electronic input control assembly adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The illuminated assembly includes an illumination source module and an illuminated module. Advantageously, the illumination source module and the illuminated module are moveably attached in a manner allowing relative motion which facilitates alignment when the illuminated assembly is placed within a receiving assembly. A garage door opener utilizes this adjustable design. A method of assembling the illuminated assembly is described.

Concatenated light pipe

A key fob for use in a remote keyless entry system of a vehicle includes a transmitter housing having at least one user operable button thereon indicative of remote keyless entry functions associated with the vehicle for transmitting function requests when the user operable buttons are depressed. A cover is retained on the transmitter housing and is slidably movable between an open position exposing the buttons and a closed position wherein the buttons are covered by the cover. Compression springs are coupled between the transmitter housing and the cover such that the springs urge the cover toward the open position, while a catch mechanism selectively and releasably secures the cover in the closed position against the bias of the springs.

Key fob with automatic cover release

A remote keyless entry device for use with a vehicle that includes a printed circuit board, at least one button configured to cooperate with the printed circuit board to selectively form an electrical circuit, a power source, and a housing. The printed circuit board and the power source are embedded within the housing. The housing at least partially covers the button and secures the button to the printed circuit board.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

John Burca