(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,619,556 Bi
Snider et al. (45) Date of Patent: Sep. 16,2003
(54) INTEGRATED SWITCH PAD AND SENSOR HOLDER/THERMAL ISOLATOR
(75) Inventors: Chris R. Snider, Kokomo, IN (US);
Darcy M. Wallace, El Paso, TX (US)
(73) Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/197,112
(22) Filed: Jul. 17, 2002
(51) Int. CI.7 F24F 7/00; H05K 7/20
(52) U.S. CI 236/49.3; 361/695; 236/DIG. 19
(58) Field of Search 236/49.3, 49.1,
236/94, DIG. 19; 361/695, 688, 689, 690, 694; 374/142; 250/342
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,824,013 A * 4/1989 Gouldey 236/78 R
An automotive climate control for a motor vehicle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible conductive switch pad and a temperature sensor. The flexible conductive switch pad includes a structure that is formed in conjunction with the flexible conductive switch pad. A switch dome of the flexible conductive switch pad is shaped to make electrical contact with switch contacts formed on the PCB responsive to activation of the switch dome. A portion of the structure includes a thermally conductive elastomer and the temperature sensor is positioned within the structure and electrically coupled to sensor contacts on the PCB.
31 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
