Technical Field

[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic control units of an automobile. More particularly the present invention relates to a compact molded interconnect device for automotive applications.

Background

[002] Typically, electronic control unit of an automobile which may include but not limited to access system, steering column control module, head lamp switches, window lift switches and the like electronic control units are plastic based buttons or knobs or other. A rubber keypad made of silicon rubber is positioned under the plastic button of the electronic control unit. The silicon rubber acts as the insulating medium and the carbon pills/Nickel gold pills act as the conductive material to connect and disconnect the contacts on the PCB. Pressing the conductive pill against the PCB, the electric circuit gets closed allowing a passage of power/signal. This PCB carries signal/power to a main PCB or a micro-controller or a logic device using wire harness.

[003] Generally, the wire harness may be subjected to repeated and continuous stress like vibration, twist during the motion of the vehicle and other factors. The usage of this wire harness to connect the multiple electronic components and carry the input signals also results in an increase in the price and decrease in reliability of the electronic control unit of the automobile. Moreover, accommodating the PCB and the harness requires a huge space. These drawbacks may be addressed by providing a cost effective solution.

[004] To address the above listed drawbacks, there exists a need for compact molded interconnect device for automotive applications which can optimize the usage of space and considerably saves the manufacturing cost of the product. Brief Summary

[005] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[006] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards compact molded interconnect device for automotive applications. According to an exemplary aspect, an electronic circuit laid on a molded plastic component of the molded interconnect device to activate and deactivate electronic switching, dynamic sensing, electronic activation and electronic deactivation of the control unit. The electronic circuit laid on the molded plastic component comprising a laser direct structuring based electronic circuit.

[007] According to an exemplary aspect, the compact molded interconnect device includes a widow lift switches of the automobile.

[008] According to an exemplary aspect, the compact molded interconnect device includes a head light switch of the automobile.

[009] According to an exemplary aspect, the compact molded interconnect device includes an immobilizer of the automobile.

[0010] According to an exemplary aspect, the compact molded interconnect device includes a keyless entry switch of the automobile.

[0011] According to an exemplary aspect, the compact molded interconnect device includes a passive key and a passive start switch of the automobile.

[0012] According to an exemplary aspect, the compact molded interconnect device includes a lever activated switch attached to a steering column control module of the automobile. Brief Description of the Drawines

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein:

[0014] FIG.1 is an exemplary diagram depicting an exploded view of a window lift switch with an electronic circuit laid on a molded plastic enclosure.

[0015] FIG.2 is an exemplary diagram depicting an electronic circuit laid on a molded plastic housing of a head light switch.

[0016] FIG.3 is an exemplary diagram depicting electronic circuit laid on a molded plastic lever attached to the steering column control module.

[0017] FIG.4 is an exemplary diagram depicting immobilizer/ keyless entry system/ passive key and passive start switch with the electronic circuit.

Detailed Description

[0018] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0019] The use of "including", "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms "first", "second", and "third", and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. [0020] Referring to FIG.1 is an exemplary diagram 100 depicting an exploded view of a window lift switch with an electronic circuit lay on an enclosure. The window lift switch includes one or more buttons 102, a bezel 104, a silicon rubber keypad 106 and a molded plastic enclosure 110. The electronic circuit 108 may be laid on the surfaces of the molded plastic enclosure 110. The molded plastic enclosure 110 encloses the complete assembly of one or more buttons 102, a bezel 104 and a silicon rubber keypad 106. The electronic circuit 108 laid on the molded plastic enclosure 108 is a laser direct structuring based circuit. The laser direct structuring based electronic circuit 108 may also be laid on the interior surfaces of the bezel 104, one or more buttons for allowing a flow of current form the electronic circuit 108 to a microcontroller to lift up/lift down the windows. The electronic circuit may be laid on the interior surfaces of any molded plastic components/embodiments constituting the window lift switch.

[0021] Referring FIG.2 is an exemplary diagram 200 depicting an electronic circuit laid on a molded plastic housing of a head light switch. The head light switch 200 includes a rotary knob 202, a bezel 204 and a molded plastic housing 206 with the electronic circuit 208 laid on its interior surface. The rotary knob 202 can be rotated manually in discrete step, wherein each step generates a specific signal which is carried to logic device or microcontroller to come in contact with the laid electronic circuit 208 to switch on/switch off respective head lights. The electronic circuit 208 may also be laid on the rotary knob 202 and/or on the bezel 204 which may be made of molded plastic. The electrical connection to the electronic circuit 208 may also be established using a spring steel contact to switch on/switch off respective head lights and change intensity of it. The electronic circuit 208 laid on the molded plastic housing 206 is a laser direct structuring based circuit. The electronic circuit may be laid on the interior surfaces of any molded plastic components/embodiments constituting the head light switch.

[0022] Referring to FIG.3 is an exemplary diagram 300 depicting an electronic circuit laid on a molded plastic lever attached to the steering column control module. A laser direct structuring based electronic circuit 306 may be laid on the molded plastic lever assembly 304 attached to the steering column control module 302. The switching action/movement of the molded plastic lever assembly 304 switches on/switches off wiper control, turn signal control other controls like rain sensor and the like. The molded plastic lever assembly 304 may include a push button or rotary knob to activate/deactivate the electronic circuit 306. [0023] Referring to FIG.4 is an exemplary diagram 400 depicting immobilizer/ keyless entry system/ passive key and passive start system with the electronic circuit. The laser direct structuring based circuit 402 is laid on the molded plastic key 404. The molded plastic key 404 key may be powered with a battery cell 406. The key 404 with the laser direct structuring based circuit 402 may be used for immobilizer/ keyless entry system/ passive key and passive start applications.

[0024] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.