Console with grounded trim ring

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10994670-B2
Application number	US-201916545711-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2019
Priority date	Dec 28, 2017
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A housing assembly for a proximity sensor comprising:
a base coupled to a vehicle surface, wherein the base holds the proximity sensor between a lens and a printed circuit board and the proximity sensor is coupled to the printed circuit board and generates an activation field disposed proximate the lens; and
a conductive portion proximate the activation field, wherein the conductive portion is grounded.

2. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 1 , wherein the base has a higher surface resistivity than the conductive portion.

3. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 2 , wherein the conductive portion comprises chrome plating.

4. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 2 , wherein the base comprise a first polymeric material and wherein the conductive portion comprises a second polymeric material.

5. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 4 , wherein the second polymeric material includes an acryloninitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) comprising approximately 0.5% to approximately 2% volume multi-walled carbon nanotubes and approximately 4% to approximately 6% volume high aspect ratio carbon black.

6. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 5 , wherein the acryloninitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) comprising approximately 0.5% to approximately 2% volume multi-walled carbon nanotubes and approximately 4% to approximately 6% volume high aspect ratio carbon black has a surface resistivity of approximately 0.8×10 5 ohm/sq to approximately 1.2×10 5 ohm/sq.

7. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 4 , wherein the proximity sensor includes a capacitive sensor.

8. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 4 , wherein the conductive portion surrounds the lens.

9. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 8 , wherein the conductive portion is a trim ring.

10. The housing assembly for a proximity sensor of claim 9 , wherein the trim ring is electrically coupled to a conductive support and wherein the conductive support is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Gall Richard
• Vemulapati Satyanarayana Raju
• Surman James J

Classifications

• B60R13/02 Primary

  {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18}) · CPC title

• B60K35/50

  Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60K35/60

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• B60K37/00

  Dashboards (as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14) · CPC title

• B60K35/10

  Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor · CPC title