Lear Corporation

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

John E McConnell

John Stack

Bruce Pierik

John S Nantz

Eric J Krupp

Michael Maass

Jason Summerford

Brian R Masters

Christos T Kyrtsos

John Marstan Tiesler

Joseph David King

Mark D Chuey

Silviu Pala

Pawel W Sleboda

Frank Buccinna

Jerome Go Ng

Scott D Shields

Mark Fero

William M Jarocha

Justin Putti

Ozer M N Teitelbaum

Joseph Stevens

Terence Duncan

Phil LeMay

Mary Trombley

Vehicle-based programmable appliance control systems and methods include a user control module and a transmitter module which are remotely located from one another. A wired connection, such as a vehicle wiring harness, directly interconnects the modules. The wired connection has two ends and is assigned solely to the modules as the user control module is connected to one end of the wired connection and the transmitter module is connected to the other end of the wired connection. The user control module includes a user control and the transmitter module includes a radio frequency transmitter. The user control module transmits a user activation signal based on assertion of the user control to the transmitter module for receipt by the transmitter via the wired connection. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency appliance activation signal based on the received user activation signal in order to activate an appliance.

Appliance remote control having separated user control and transmitter modules remotely located from and directly connected to one another

A visor assembly configured for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a first wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface including a channel formed therein and a bezel provided on the inner surface of the first wall cooperating with the channel. A second wall cooperates with the first wall to form a visor housing and a cavity defined therein. One or more openings are formed through the second wall. An electronic control module is disposed in the visor housing and includes a printed circuit board including one or more switches positioned in operative communication with one or more buttons extending at least partially through the second wall in the visor housing. The module includes a transmitter for transmitting a wireless control signal to control one or more remote devices when the one or more buttons are actuated by a user.

Visor assembly incorporating an electronic control module

An assembly for controlling a device. The assembly includes a circuit board and a carrier. The carrier includes a first portion having a flexible arm and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion. The circuit board extends between and is disposed adjacent to the first and second portions.

Assembly for controlling a device

A switch actuator assembly is provided comprising a circuit board housing including an upper housing and a lower housing forming a board compartment. A circuit board assembly, mounted within the board compartment, includes a switch element. A button assembly, positioned remotely from the upper housing, includes a cantilever button element. A plunger array assembly is included comprising a plunger array frame and a plunger element. The plunger element comprises a main plunger piston having a first plunger end configured to engage the cantilever button element only in a radial direction and a second plunger end configured to transfer force to the switch element. A plunger cantilever arm has a first cantilever end affixed to the plunger array frame and a second cantilever end affixed to the main plunger piston and is mounted in a mount position configured to minimize horizontal displacement of said second plunger end.

Intermediate switch actuator array

A vehicle headliner includes electromagnetic drivers for sonically driving a member or a layer of the headliner. A foam beam is shaped around a driver transducer connection area that holds one or more driver connectors. A cover may be maintained over the shaped foam beam to protect against entry of dust and other debris into the driver and the transducer connection area that receives the driver.

Headliner transducer covers

An electronic module that is activated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver. The module has a housing with an upper portion that is secured in relation to a vehicle. A lower portion of the housing has mating apertures and openings provided therein. A set of staking posts extends from an upper face of one or more buttons. The staking posts have a leading end that is registrable with the mating apertures that are provided in the lower portion of the housing. A set of actuating posts also extends from the upper face of the button. Those posts extend within at least some of the openings that are defined in the lower portion of the housing. Optionally, an array of light pipes is in optical communication with a set of switches. One of the switches can be closed following contact by a leading end of one of the posts when a button is depressed. A printed circuit board is positioned in operative communication with one or more of the buttons so that upon touching a button, a circuit in the circuit board is closed by one of the switches. A signal is then sent wirelessly to a remote receiver.

Electronic module for universal garage door opener and assembly method

A button and light pipe mechanism and assembly. The button and light pipe mechanism includes a unitary body having a frame, a first arm, a button, and a light pipe. The first arm is configured to flex when sufficient force is exerted on the button.

Button and light pipe mechanism and assembly

The present invention provides for a two piece pivoting sun visor rod upon which sun visors are rotationally mounted, wherein the pivoting sun visor rod comprises a two piece sun visor rod having a pivot joint incorporated therein. Further, the present invention relates to a two piece sun visor rod having both a pivot joint and a means of electrically connecting a vanity light.

Two piece pivoting visor arm

A smart, universal vehicle docking station is provided for receiving one or more plug-in feature modules. The docking station includes a personality module arranged to receive the feature modules. The feature modules are of uniform dimensions and include a standardized docking station coupler. Some of the feature modules can be operated separately from the docking station, and are completely interchangeable within the docking station. The personality module is removable so that an entire personality module can be removed from a vehicle for security reasons, as well as to transplanted from one vehicle to another to provide immediate vehicle customization. A gateway located in the docking station allows integration and appropriate signal translation of signals between the modules and a vehicle irrespective of make or model of the vehicle. The present invention allows different features to be easily added or upgraded in a vehicle.

Vehicle universal docking station and electronic feature modules

Remote entry transmitters are formed to have a housing element made by a two-shot molding technique. A plateable and a non-plateable plastic are molded in the two-shot molding technique. Circuit trace material is then plated onto the plateable material. This results in a reduction in the number of separate parts for the transmitter. In addition, the antenna is positioned to be non-parallel to the main circuit board. This results in packaging efficiencies and improvements. Preferably, the antenna may be plated onto an inner side wall of the housing when the two-shot molding technique occurs. Alternatively, the antenna may be provided as a separate board.

Integrally molded remote entry transmitter

A dome switch ( ) of an electrically operated product ( ) includes an electrically conductive dome switch member ( ) having a central dimple ( ) and a peripheral portion ( ) that is secured by two retainers ( ) which permit sliding alignment of the dome switch member. A switch actuator ( ) of the dome switch ( ) has an alignment button ( ) received by the dimple ( ) of the dome switch member ( ) so as to provide sliding of the dome switch member on a circuit board ( ) and thereby providing alignment with first and second contacts ( ) to provide effective switch closing.

Dome switch

A vehicle display system includes a display which is selectively movable between a first position in which it is viewable by a driver and a second position in which it is viewable by the rear passengers but not the driver. In the first position, the display provides a rear view from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. In the second position, the display provides entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats.

Rear view and multi-media system for vehicles

An integrated, flexible interrogator-coil circuit provides security for the type of lock opened by a key that transmits a coded signal to an interrogator circuit associated with the lock. When the key is inserted into the lock, a coil in the key is brought into proximity with an energized coil associated with the lock. The resulting current induced in the key's coil causes the key to transmit the coded signal. If the coded signal is recognized by the lock's interrogator circuit, the key opens the lock. The lock coil is an etched metallic spiral on a loop portion of the circuit board and the interrogator circuit components are mounted on a base portion of the circuit board on which is etched a metallic circuit pattern. The integrated interrogator-coil circuit is faster and more economical to manufacture. Because the circuit is on a flexible circuit board, it can be made a part of the lock assembly itself, thus facilitating use of this type of security system. The invention is particularly useful in securing the ignition systems of vehicles, although it can be used for other applications.

Integral interrogator-coil circuit

A universal key fob includes a housing to which is mountable one of a plurality of accessories. A key shank is mountable to the housing in order to provide a key head fob. A key ring is mountable to the housing in order to provide a key ring fob. Preferably, the accessories are connected to the housing via inserts which snap fit into a recess in the housing.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

John E McConnell