LIGHTWEIGHT AUDIO SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD

摘要

A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.

主权项

1. An automotive radio receiver comprising:
a housing assembly adapted for mounting within the passenger compartment of a host vehicle, said housing assembly including a box-like case having integrally formed wall portions configured to enclose audio system subassemblies within a cavity defined by said housing assembly; a radio receiver circuit assembly disposed within said case; an externally accessible, plug-in communication module operative to convert said radio receiver from terrestrial to satellite radio frequency signal reception, said communication module comprising a discrete box-like enclosure configured to shield electronic components within said module affecting said conversion from said radio receiver circuit assembly and external electrical anomalies, said communication module adapted for nesting engagement within said housing assembly through an opening formed in one of said wall portions; a system of guideways integrally formed within said case operative to effect self-alignment and engagement of said communication module within said cavity; a port disposed within said case for interfacing the radio receiver with said communication module; and connector means carried by said communication module for interconnecting said communication module with an external satellite antenna.