Patent Application
20070209914
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic control assemblies with adjustable positioning of sub-components of the control assemblies, and in particular, to garage door open systems using such electronic control assemblies.
2. Background Art
The associated costs of electronically controlled systems, and in particular, electronically controlled systems in automobiles provides an ever increasing impetus to find cost reducing strategies. Increasing complexity of such electronically controlled systems along with a desire to integrate such components into a vehicle in an aesthetically pleasing manner adds to the costs of such systems. Garage door openers are one example of such electronically controlled systems.
In addition to the costs of the components of such electronic systems, there is also an increase cost associated with the fabrication and assembly of these electronically controlled systems. Since these systems typically include several sub-assemblies that must be put together, physical tolerances of the components become an issue with misalignment being multiplied as the components are assembled. In the case of systems that use switch modules that are manually operated by a user, these misalignments are often associated with sticking or jammed buttons and switches. Garage door openers are an example of such a system using a switch module.
Accordingly, there exists a need for improved electronic control systems that are easily assembled and have flexibility with respect to the physical tolerances of any sub-assemblies and components.
The present invention solves one or more problems of the prior art by providing in at least one embodiment, an electronic input control assembly that adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The input control assembly of the invention comprises an input control module and an actuator module. The actuator module includes 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. The relative positionability of the input control module to the actuator module facilitates alignment with a receiving assembly that includes mounting or bezel openings.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method for assembling an electronic control device such as a garage door opener is provided. The method of this embodiment comprises attaching an input control module to an actuator module. The input control module includes first connectors while the actuator module includes second connectors that are connected to the first connectors such that the input control module is moveable relative to the actuator module. The thus formed control assembly is positioned within a receiving assembly. The relative positions of the input control module and the actuator modules are adjusted such that the control assembly is aligned with the shape receiving assembly without any buttons of the actuator module sticking to the receiving assembly.
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred compositions or embodiments and methods of the invention, which constitute the best modes of practicing the invention presently known to the inventors.
As used herein, the term “input control module” means an electronic device containing an input device that allows a person to enter data into or control another device. Typically, such input devices are switches that are actuated by a user. Input control modules are used in any electronically controlled or operated device or system (e.g., a garage door openers, keyless entry systems, keyboards, and the like).
As used herein, the term “actuator module” means a module that includes the physical devices manually operated by a user operating the input control module. Typically, such actuator modules include buttons or switches that are activated by the users. The actuator module includes one or more physical structures (i.e., actuators) that transfer the user input to the input control module.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic input control assembly attachable to a receiving assembly is provided. With reference to
Still referring to
Input control module 12 also includes electronic device 40 which includes one or more electronic components 42 that are activated by actuator module 20. In a variation of the present embodiment, electronic device 40 comprises an electronic circuit board and electronic components 42 are switches (e.g., tact switches). Input control module 12 also includes attachment section 44 which are utilized to attach input control assembly 10 to receiving assembly 30. Examples of such receiving assemblies include vehicle bezel or trim components.
In a variation of the present embodiment, actuator module 20 includes at least one button(s) 50 with attached actuator shaft(s) 52. In this variation, actuator 20 is a switch module. When button 50 is manually activated by a user, actuator shaft 52 engages electronic component 42 thereby initiating the pre-designed action of input control module 12 associated with electronic component 42's activation (or deactivation). In one particularly important variation, input module 12 is part of a garage door opener system, and in particular, a transmitter for a garage door opener system which is integrated into the passenger compartment of an automobile. In a variation of the present embodiment, receiving assembly 30 includes a mounting plate having openings 52 into which button 50 protrudes. It is readily appreciated that it is the relative moveability of input control module 12 and actuator module 20 that allows for button(s) 50 to properly fit into openings 52 without sticking.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a garage door opener utilizing the design of the input control assembly 10 set forth above is provided. The garage door opener of this embodiment is advantageously incorporated into the overhead console of a vehicle interior. With reference to
With reference to
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling an electronic control device is provided. With reference to
The details of input control assembly 10 are set forth above. In particular, the position adjustment of the present embodiment is accomplished by the relative movement of second connectors 22, 24 with first connectors 16, 18 along the two orthogonal directions d1 and d2. In a variation, second connectors 22, 24 are moveable within first connectors 16, 18 over a distance of about 0.25 inches or less along each of the two orthogonal directions.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
