Human-machine interface assemblies

Abstract

Example human-machine interface (HMI) assemblies are disclosed. One example HMI assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and a backer selectively flexible between a first curved state and a second flexed state, and attached to the fascia in the second flexed state to bias the PCB against the fascia.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A human-machine interface assembly, comprising: a fascia;
 a printed circuit board (PCB); and   a backer selectively flexible between a first curved state and a second flexed state, and attached to the fascia in the second flexed state to bias the PCB against the fascia.   
     
     
         2 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the backer is flexed from the first curved state to the second flexed state and attached to the fascia, the backer creates an elastic stress that biases the PCB against the fascia. 
     
     
         3 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backer includes a material that reduces relative movement of the backer and the PCB. 
     
     
         4 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the material is co-injected into the backer and/or inserted into the backer. 
     
     
         5 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backer includes a light-sealant material. 
     
     
         6 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the light-sealant material is co-injected and/or inserted into the backer. 
     
     
         7 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the PCB includes an alignment feature, the alignment feature being configured to align the fascia and the PCB. 
     
     
         8 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the alignment feature includes an opening defined through at least a portion of the PCB. 
     
     
         9 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the backer is disposed in the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the alignment feature extends from a surface of the PCB. 
     
     
         11 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a flat area surrounded at least partially by a wall to define an alignment space, and a portion of the backer is disposed in the alignment space. 
     
     
         12 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fascia includes an alignment feature, the alignment feature being configured to align the fascia and the PCB. 
     
     
         13 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the alignment feature extends from a surface of the fascia abutting the PCB. 
     
     
         14 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the alignment feature is defined at least partially through the fascia. 
     
     
         15 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 12 , where the alignment feature includes a latch extending through an opening of the backer. 
     
     
         16 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backer includes one or more light cups. 
     
     
         17 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backer includes a plurality of compressible portions, and at least one compressible portion is in contact with the PCB. 
     
     
         18 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fascia includes an extension or ledge engaged with the PCB. 
     
     
         19 . The human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, in the first curved state, a surface of the backer is concave, and, in the second flexed state, the surface is parallel to the PCB. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling the human-machine interface assembly of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 placing a middle portion of the backer against a middle portion of the PCB while the backer is in the first curved state;   moving ends of the backer toward the fascia to transition the backer from the first curved state to the second flexed state; and   engaging the ends of the backer with the fascia to secure the backer, the fascia, and the PCB together.