Abstract:
A system and method is provided for opening a sealed engine control module in which the module includes a substrate bent around and sealed to a central housing. In one aspect of the invention, the housing is machined around its perimeter, without damaging the substrate, to expose the sealing bead. The sealing bead is disrupted by cutting a groove in the bead, in one embodiment. The modified module is placed within an opening fixture that supports the substrate against buckling or folding while the substrate is unbent about the housing. In another aspect of the invention, a handling support can be attached to the unbent substrate to prevent buckling or folding while the circuit board supported by the substrate is evaluated or modified, and while the substrate is being transported. A closing fixture is also contemplated that supports the substrate while applying a force to fold or close the substrate about a new housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns the remanufacture of electronic control modules, such as for use with electronically controlled engines. In particular, the invention concerns a system and method for opening a sealed module and resealing the module after servicing the internal components. 
     Most modern internal combustion engines have some form for electronic controller that governs the operation of the engine. In the case of larger vehicles, a substantial engine control module is provided that performs a wide range of functions. For example, the module provides signals via an electrical harness to various electrical components throughout the engine and vehicle. In addition, the module receives signals from a number of sensors disposed at various locations throughout the engine. 
     For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an engine control module (ECM)  10  includes a housing  11  with a top mounting boss  12  and side bosses  13  extending therefrom. The mounting bosses provide a means for mounting the ECM  10  within the vehicle or engine compartment. The ECM  10  includes a number of electrical components and microprocessors within the housing  11 . A pair of connectors  17  are provided for engaging a pair of cables or harnesses  18 ,  19 . These cables  18 ,  19  link the electronic and microprocessor components of the ECM  10  to the various sensors and engine control devices. 
     These electronic control or engine control modules utilize microelectronic components mounted on a substrate. In one type of ECM  10 , a circuit board  20  is provided that includes a number of components  21  mounted thereon (see FIG.  2 ). In one particular approach, the circuit board  20  is formed of a flexible material, such as polyimide. The circuit board  20  is mounted to a rigidizer  15 , which is formed of a relatively rigid substrate that is capable of withstanding the harsh environment of the engine. With this ECM, the rigidizer material has properties that allow the rigidizer to be folded or bent. In one example, the rigidizer is formed of aluminum. 
     One particular rigidizer  15  is shown in FIG.  2 . The rigidizer  15  includes a top plate  16 A, a bottom plate  16 B and an integral intermediate bend region  16 C between the two plates. The bottom plate  16 B defines a number of connecting holes  22 , which receives a number of screws therethrough for attaching the connectors  17  to the outside surface of the bottom plate. A number of slots  23  are formed at the bend region  16 C of the circuit board  20  as a bend relief feature and to accommodate a hinge support component of the housing  11 , as described herein. The rigidizer  15  also defines certain features for retaining and supporting circuit board  20 . For example, the rigidizer defines a sealing or alignment rim  27  around the perimeter of the top plate  16 A and bottom plate  16 B. The outer perimeter of the circuit board  20  follows the contour of the sealing rim  27 . Preferably, the circuit board  20  is engaged to the rigidizer  15  with a compatible adhesive. The sealing rim  27  is offset from the edges of the rigidizer  15  for reasons made clear herein. The rigidizer  15  also defines a plurality of housing mounting holes  25  that are used to receive a like number of screws  26  (FIG. 1) for closing the rigidizer  15  about the housing  11  to form the sealed module  10 . A number of mounting boss reliefs  24  can also be defined around the edge of the rigidizer  15  to correspond to the location of the side mounting bosses  13  of the housing  11 . 
     Details of the housing  11  are shown in FIG.  3 . Like the rigidizer  15 , the housing is preferably formed of a rigid metal, such as aluminum. The housing  11  is generally sized to correspond to half of the rigidizer  15 , since the housing is disposed between the top plate  16 A and bottom plate  16 B. Thus, the features depicted in FIG. 3 appear on both sides of the housing  11 . For example, the housing includes an outer rim  30  that follows the outer perimeter of the housing. An inner rim  31  is also formed in the housing offset inward from the outer rim. The inner rim  31  corresponds to the configuration to the sealing rim  27  defined on rigidizer  15 . 
     The housing  11  defines a number of connector holes  37  that align with the corresponding mounting holes  22  in the circuit board  20  and rigidizer  15 . A number of mounting holes  38  pass through the housing  11  and are aligned with the housing mounting holes  25  to receive the screws  26 . The housing  11  also includes a number of hinge supports  35  that are aligned with the slots  23  formed in the circuit board  20 . These hinge supports  35  are preferably rounded and provide a surface about which the bend portion  16 C of the rigidizer  16  is folded. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the housing  11  is sandwiched between the top plate  16 A and the bottom plate  16 B of the rigidizer  15 . A number of connector mounting screws  39  pass through the mounting holes  37  in the housing  11  and the holes  22  in the bottom plate  16 B to engage the connectors  17 . In the construction of this module  10 , the rigidizer  15  is bent around the housing  11 . The rigidizer  15  is configured to essentially sit within the outer rim  30  of the housing, as shown most clearly in FIG.  5 . When the rigidizer  15  is bent around the housing  11 , the various rims, namely the sealing rim  27  of the rigidizer  15 , and the outer and inner rims  30 ,  31  of the housing  11 , define a bead groove  33  that travels around three sides of the perimeter of the module  10 . The bead groove  33  need not extend to the bend region  16 C of the rigidizer  15 , since that side or edge of the module  10  is already closed. Before the top plate  16 A and bottom plate  16 B of the rigidizer  15  are bent to their final position, an adhesive or sealant bead  40  is applied along the bead groove  33 . This sealant bonds the rigidizer  15  to the housing  11 . Preferably, the bead material is capable of bonding metal-to-metal, while withstanding the high temperatures experienced in the engine compartment. In one embodiment, the bead is an RTV material. 
     While the ECM  10  depicted in FIGS. 1-5 provides an environmentally sound and sealed module, difficulties arise when the module must be remanufactured. This remanufacturing process may be required when there is an update to some of the components  21  mounted on the circuit board  20 . In other instances, direct diagnosis of the components is necessary, necessitating access to the circuit board  20 . In the absence of remanufacturing, the ECM  10  is simply disposed of or scavanged, and replaced with a new module. Of course, this approach unnecessarily wastes resources and can lead to delays where the module is difficult to obtain. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a system and method that permits the remanufacture of modules, such as the ECM  10  described above. The system and method must be capable of opening the module without disturbing or compromising the rigidizer  15 , or the circuit board  20  and its components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to address these needs, the present invention contemplates a system and method for opening a sealed module for remanufacture. In one aspect of the invention, the housing is machined at its perimeter to expose a sealing bead. The machining operation is precisely controlled to prevent any impingement on the rigidizer or the circuit board mounted on the rigidizer. Instead, only the housing is machined to provide access to the bead groove. In a next step of the method, the sealing bead is disrupted substantially around the perimeter of the module. In one embodiment, a slot saw is operated along the entire perimeter at the bead groove to cut a channel or slot along the sealing bead at both the top and bottom plates of the rigidizer. In another embodiment, an array of wedges is driven into the bead groove. 
     Once the sealing bead has been disrupted or weakened, the top plate and bottom plate can be unbent relative to each other. In one aspect of the invention, a bending brake device is modified for opening the sealed module. In the preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter of both the top plate and the bottom plate of the rigidizer are fully supported in order to maintain the integrity of the rigidifier and circuit board mounted thereon. Consequently in a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided in which an opening fixture is used to support the plates of the rigidizer while facilitating the unfolding operation. The opening fixture can include a fixed base portion having a flange configured to fit within the slot cut into the sealing bead at the bottom plate. The flange extends substantially around the perimeter of the sealing bead groove. 
     The fixture can also include a moveable or pivotable upper rigid support that also includes a flange configured to engage the slot formed in the sealing bead between the top plate and the housing. The upper perimeter support is hingidly mounted to the base or lower perimeter support so that the upper support can essentially pivot about the bend region of the rigidizer. The fixture can include a pair of moveable stops that are moveable from one position clear of the lower perimeter support to allow insertion of the module into the opening fixture and a second position in which the stops block or prevent expulsion of the module from the opening fixture during the unbending process. 
     In one embodiment, the opening fixture is manually operated. With this approach, the upper perimeter support provides adequate surface for grasping and pivoting about the hinge mount to unbend the rigidizer at the bend region. In an alternative embodiment, the opening fixture is powered. In this feature, the upper perimeter support includes a lever arm that is connected to a drive mechanism or power device. For instance, the drive mechanism can constitute a pneumatic or air cylinder in which the cylinder piston is connected to the lever arm. Reciprocation of the piston causes the lever arm to pivot about the hinge mount, which thereby causes the upper perimeter support to pivot about the hinge. 
     With either opening fixture, the bottom plate is held generally rigid and unmovable while a force is applied to the top plate to unbend the rigidizer about the bend region. Using this fixture, the integrity of the rigidifier is maintained, not only in the top and bottom plates, but also at the bend region. A controlled force can be applied, either manually or automatically, to the upper perimeter support to gradually open the module. Preferably, at this point, the integrity of the sealing bead has been sufficient disrupted by the machined slot so that the bead itself offers little resistance to the separation of the rigidizer from the housing. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the top plate is unbent so that the top plate forms approximately a ninety-degree angle relative to the bottom plate. At this point, the housing can be removed by removing any fasteners that may be holding the housing to the bottom plate of the rigidizer. The housing can be discarded, since it has been significantly machined. With the housing removed, the perimeter of the rigidizer adjacent the sealing rim can be cleaned of any residual sealing bead material. 
     With the module thus opened, the components of the circuit board can be modified, replaced and/or tested. The rigidizer and circuit board are now ready to receive a new housing. In a further feature of the invention, a handling support is provided to preserve the integrity of the rigidizer, and particularly the top and bottom plates, when the unbent or open rigidizer is removed from the opening fixture. In one embodiment, the handling support includes an upper bar and lower bar connected at a substantially right angle joint. Each of the bars defines a groove to receive a side edge of one of the plates of the rigidizer. Each of the bars includes an opening to receive a fastener therethrough, which fastener is aligned with one or more of the external fastener openings defined in the rigidizer. This handling support is thus connected to the rigidizer to maintain the top and bottom plate in their ninety-degree orientation, and to preserve the structural integrity of the rigidizer and circuit board mounted thereon. 
     Once the work on the circuit board has been completed, the rigidizer is carried by the handling supports to a closing fixture. The handling supports can then be removed and the rigidizer mounted within the fixture. In one embodiment of the invention, the rigidizer is oriented so that its top and bottom plates form a forty-five degree angle relative to the horizontal. The new housing can then be inserted into the space between the top and bottom plates and fastened to the appropriate plate. A new sealing or joint bead can be applied to both the top and bottom plates around their perimeter adjacent the sealing rim. The closing fixtures can be operated to push the top and bottom plates toward each other, thereby bending the rigidizer at the bend portion with the housing sandwiched between the two plates. The closing fixture can be held in position with the rigidizer clamped about the housing for sufficient period of time to allow the sealing or joint bead to cure. Upon completion of this step, a new remanufactured control module is available for mounting within a particular vehicle. 
     It is one object of the present invention to provide a system and method for the remanufacture of the sealed electronic modules. A further object of the invention is achieved by features that maintain the integrity of the circuit components of the module, while minimizing the number of module components that must be replaced. 
     The present invention provides a significant benefit to systems employing a sealed module since the modules no longer need to be discarded when errors arise or system updates are required. A further benefit is that the remanufacture process does not require any complicated machines or fixtures, which means that remanufacturing stations can be readily and cheaply provided for a mass remanufacture of sealed control modules. 
     These and other objects and benefits, will become apparent upon consideration of the following written description and accompanying figures. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an engine control module and its connection to various components of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of a rigidizer that forms one component of the engine control module depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of a housing that is sandwiched between the portions of the rigidizer shown in FIG. 2, to form the control module illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the engine control module shown in FIG. 1 prior to final closing of the module. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through one side of the engine control module as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C are front perspective views of an engine control module at three stages of the inventive process for opening the module. 
     FIG. 6D is a rear perspective view of the module machined as in the previous steps, with the results of an additional step in the process. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sealed module after completion of the sequence of steps depicted in FIGS. 6A-6D. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear top perspective view of an opening fixture in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the opening fixture shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is front perspective view of the opening fixture depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 with a control mounted within the fixture. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of an opening fixture in accordance with the present invention in which the fixture is powdered. 
     FIG. 12 a rear perspective view of the opening fixture shown in FIG. 11 particularly showing stops for supporting the bend region of the sealed module. 
     FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a rigidizer after it has been unbent and the housing removed, with the rigidizer being maintained by a pair of handling supports. 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of one of the handling supports depicted in FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the opened or unbent rigidizer mounted within a closing fixture in anticipation of inserting a new housing and a new sealing bead prior to closing. 
     FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which an arrangement of wedges are used disrupt the sealing beads around the perimeter of the rigidizer and housing. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a sealed module, such as the sealed module shown in FIG. 6A, is manipulated to permit removal of the housing  11 . As shown in FIG. 6A, the outer rim  30  of the housing  11  essentially protects the edges of the top plate  16 A and bottom plate  16 B (not shown). With the particular ECM  10  shown in this figure, the housing includes a pair of side mounting bosses  13  and a top mounting boss  12  that are configured to receive mounting bolts to support the module within the engine compartment 
     In the next step of the invention, the housing is machined to remove the external features at the perimeter of the housing. More specifically, the housing  11  is machined to remove the outer rim  30 , side mounting bosses  13  and top mounting boss  12 . The purpose of this machining step is to expose the side edge around the perimeter of the rigidizer  15 , as well as the sealing bead disposed between the top plate  16 A and the housing  11 , and the bottom plate  16 B and the housing. Preferably, this machining step is performed using a mill machine. Most preferably, a numerically controlled milling machine is utilized to provide precision cutting of the housing without affecting the rigidizer  15 . It should be understood that the milling operation only occurs on three sides of the module  10 ′ shown FIG.  6 B. The back side of the module  10 ′ is closed by the bend region  16 C of the rigidizer  15 . Since the goal is to maintain the integrity of the rigidizer, no machining operation occurs on that back side. 
     In the next step of the procedure depicted in FIG. 6C, the sealing bead  40  that runs along the perimeter between the top plate and the house and the bottom plate and the housing, are both disrupted. In the preferred embodiment, these two beads are disrupted by using a slot saw to cut a slot or groove  49  along the bead material and between the rigidizer  15  and housing  11 . Preferably the slot saw has a width substantially equal to the distance between the top plate  16 A and the housing  11 , for instance. The slot saw can have a width and depth that correspondence to the width and depth dimensions of the bead groove  33  (see FIG. 5) between the two plates of the rigidizer and the housing. Again, the slot saw can be numerically controlled to assure a precision cut that does not damage the rigidizer  15  or the circuit board  20  mounted on the rigidizer. The object of this step is to substantially disrupt the sealing bead  40  to facilitate unbending of the rigidizer  15 . 
     In certain embodiments of the inventive method, the thickness of the rigidizer  15  may make the unbending process more difficult, or at least require a greater amount of force than for a thinner plate. Thus, in these embodiments an additional groove  50  is defined at the bend region  16 C of the rigidizer  15  as shown in FIG.  6 D. This groove  50  acts as a sort of hinge relief as force is applied to the top plate  16 A. In this instance, this force will cause the top plate  16 A to essentially pivot about the hinge groove  50 . It is understood that the hinge groove  50  must not pass completely through the thickness of the rigidizer  15 . Preferably, the groove has a depth of about one quarter of the thickness of the rigidizer  15  at the bend region  16 C. This interruption in the rigidizer surface will lead to a measurable reduction in the amount of force necessary to unbend the top plate  16 A relative to the bottom plate  16 B. 
     Following completion of the process steps shown in FIGS. 6B-6D, the modified ECM  10 ′ appears as shown in FIG.  7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rigidizer  15  includes relief notches  24  defined in the side of the top and bottom plates to accommodate the side mounting bosses  13  and the housing  11 . In the machining step as illustrated in FIG. 6B, these mounting bosses are also removed, leaving the relief notches  24  of the rigidizer  15  exposed as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The module  10 ′ can then be placed within an opening fixture, such as the fixture  60  as shown in FIGS. 8-10. The primary function of the fixture  60  is to provide substantial support for the rigidizer  15  while allowing the rigidizer to be pivoted or unbent about the bend region  16 C. It is important that the integrity of the rigidizer  15  be maintained throughout the unbending process to ensure that the top and bottom plates  16 A,  16 B do not bow or flex. While the rigidizer itself can easily withstand this deflection, the circuit board  20 , as well as the components and solder joints present on the board, cannot withstand any degree of bowing of flexing. With this in mind, the opening fixture  60  includes a base  61  onto which mounted a lower perimeter support  63 . The lower perimeter support  63  defines a flange  64  around three sides of its perimeter. The flange  64  has a thickness and a depth that are substantially equal to the thickness and depth of the bead groove  33  defined between the top and bottom plates and the rigidizer. In other words, the flange  64  is sized to fully support the perimeter of the rigidizer  15  directly adjacent the sealing rim  27  (see FIG.  2 ). 
     The opening fixture  60  also includes an upper perimeter support  65  that also includes a similarly configured flange  66 . As with the lower perimeter support, the upper perimeter support and flange  66  are configured so that the rigidizer  15  is fully supported directly adjacent the sealing rim  27 . 
     The upper perimeter support  65  is mounted to the base  61  or lower perimeter support  63  by way of a hinge mounting portion  69 . In one embodiment, the upper perimeter support can include a pivot boss  70  that is engaged to the hinge mount portion  69  of the lower perimeter support by way of a hinge pin  71 . Thus, the upper perimeter support  65  is mounted for rotation or pivoting relative to the fixed lower perimeter support  63 . 
     The opening fixture  60  is configured so that the ECM module  10 ′ can be inserted in the direction of the arrow D. When the module is disposed within the fixture, some means are necessary for preventing the module from backing out of the fixture when the bending force is being applied by way of the upper perimeter support  65 . Thus, in one embodiment, a pair of stops  74  are included that are arranged to contact the rigidizer  15  at the bend region  16 C. Preferably the stops  74  are adjustable so that they can be moved from a position blocking the opening to the fixture  60  as shown in FIG. 8, to a position in which the stops  74  are clear of the opening to allow insertion of a sealed module. In one specific embodiment, the stops  74  can be slidingly mounted within a corresponding adjustment slot  75 . A variety of configurations for the adjustment slot can be provided other than having the having the stops  74  move transversely across the opening of the fixture  60 . For example, the slots can be orientated in the direction of the arrow D, or at any angle therebetween. Preferably the stops  74  are of a known construction that allows the stops to be loosened relative to the slot when it is desired to move the stops and then retightened to fix the position of the stops relative to the slots  75 . 
     The positioning of a module  10 ′ within the opening fixture  60  is depicted in FIG.  10 . As shown in the figure, the module  10 ′ is slid into the opening fixture  60  with the top plate  16 A being supported by the upper perimeter support  65 . The bottom plate is not seen in the figure but is situated under the lower perimeter support  63 . In the instance in which the module  10 ′ includes connectors projecting below the bottom plate  16 B, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower perimeter support  63  can be offset relative to the base  61  to provide space for receiving the connectors. With the module  10 ′ thus mounted within the opening fixture  60 , a force P can be applied to the upper perimeter  65  to rotate the upper support  65  relative the fixed lower support  63 . As this rotation continues, the top plate  16 A of the rigidizer  15  gradually unfolds or pivots relative to the lower plate and ultimately relative to the housing  11 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the upper perimeter support  65  is rotated until the top plate  16 A forms a substantially ninety degree angle relative to the bottom plate  16 B. In this orientation, the housing  11 , and most particularly the connector mounting screws  39 , are cleanly exposed. The housing  11  can be removed from the module  10 ′ by removing the mounting screws  39 , as well as any other fasteners that might be used to fix the housing  11  to the bottom plate  16 B. Once the housing  11  has been removed, the circuit board  20  mounted to the rigidizer  15  will be fully exposed to allow the repair, replacement, or testing of the components mounted on the circuit board. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the force P is manually applied. The amount of manual force that needs to be applied to unbend the rigidizer  15  depends upon the thickness of the rigidizer and the lever arm provided by the upper perimeter support  65 . The upper support can be modified to include manually engageable features projecting outward to the support to improve the pivoting fulcrum. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the opening process is automated or powered. In this embodiment, an opening fixture  80  as shown in FIG. 11 includes a base  81 , a lower perimeter support  83  and an upper perimeter support  85 . The perimeter supports  83  and  85  each include a respective flange  84  and  86 , and are otherwise configured similar to the supports  63  and  65  as shown in FIG.  8 . As shown in FIG. 11, the lower perimeter support  83  is elevated to provide clearance for receiving the connectors  17 . The lower perimeter support  83  can be fixed to the base  81  by way of a mounting assembly  93 . The mounting assembly can consist of a bolt and flange arrangement, or other known means for fixedly mounting the support  83 . 
     As with the previous embodiment, the upper perimeter support  85  is pivotally mounted relative to the lower support. Thus, the lower support can include a hinge mounting portion  89  and the upper support  85  can include a pivot boss  90 . A hinge pin  91  can pivotably connect the two supports. In addition, as with the previous embodiment, the opening fixture  80  includes a stop assembly  95  that is arranged to prevent the module from backing out as the unbending force is being applied to the rigidizer  15 . 
     In contrast to the opening fixture  60 , the opening fixture  80  includes a lever arm  97  that extends outwardly from the upper perimeter support  85 . In the preferred embodiment, the lever arm  97  extends downwardly through a slot  98  defined in the base  81 . A drive mechanism  99  is supported underneath the base  81  and is connected to the lever arm  97 . The movement of the drive mechanism  99  in the direction of the arrow T produces a rotation of the support  85  in the direction of the arrow R. 
     Using this drive mechanism, manual manipulation or unbending of the rigidizer is not required. This drive mechanism  99  can take a variety of forms, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with a reciprocating drive shaft  100 . Alternative powered drive mechanisms are contemplated that are capable of rotating the upper perimeter support  85  relative to the hinge mount  89 . For instance, an electric motor, a rack and pinion arrangement, a cam mechanism, or other drive mechanisms are contemplated. Moreover, while the most preferred embodiment utilizes a lever arm  97 , the drive mechanism can be mounted to the upper perimeter support  85  or pivot boss  90 . The important feature to be retained is the ability to provide a controlled unbending force to the upper perimeter support  85 , and consequently the rigidizer  15  mounted within the opening fixture  80 . Preferably, the drive mechanism  99  includes an apparatus for controlling the operation of the mechanism so that the drive mechanism  99  stops when the top plate  16 A has reached a preferred angle relative to the fixed bottom plate  16 B. 
     Referred to FIG. 12, details of the stop assemblies  95  are shown. In particular, the stop assembly can include a stop mount  101  that is fixed to the base  81 . Preferably, the stop mount has a height that is sufficiently low to provide clearance for inserting the module into the opening fixture  80 . Each stop assembly can also include a moveable stop  102  that defines a slot  103 . A clamping screw  104  extends through the stop mount  101  and the slot  103 . Loosening the clamping screw  104  allows the moveable stop  104  to be translated upward into contact with the bend region  16 C of the rigidizer  15 . Once the moveable stop is in position, the clamping screws can be tightened to firmly support the module within the opening fixture. Preferably the moveable stop  102  is positioned so that it does not traverse the hinge groove  50  or otherwise impede the unbending of the top plate  16 A about the bend region  16 C. 
     As previously indicated, the rigidizer  15  is preferably unbent or opened so that the top plate  16 A forms a substantially ninety degree angle relative to the bottom plate  16 B, as shown in FIG.  13 . In this configuration, the housing can be easily removed and access is readily provided to the circuit board  20  mounted on the rigidizer. Just as during the unbending process, it is essential that the rigidizer  15  not bend or flex during the remanufacture process, to avoid placing stress to the circuit board  20  and its mounted components. Thus, in a further feature of the invention, a pair of handling supports  110  are provided to maintain the rigidizer  15  in its unbent orientation. In the preferred embodiment, the handling support  110  includes an upper bar  111  and a lower bar  112  integrally formed with a right angle joint  113 . The upper and lower bars  111 ,  112  define a rigidizer groove  115  therein. The groove is sized to receive one of the plates of the rigidizer  15  therein. A number of attachment screws extend through bores  118  in the upper bar  111  and lower bar  112 . The attachment screws  117  are aligned with openings already formed in the rigidizer  15 , such as the housing mounting holes  25 . Preferably, one end of the bores  118  passing through each of the bars  111 ,  112  is threaded so that attachment screws  117  can be directly threaded to and fixed within the handling support  110 . The handling supports also include a bend relief  119  defined at the right angle joint  113  to accommodate the bend region  16 C of the rigidizer  15 . 
     While the rigidizer and the circuit board are supported by the handling support  110 , the technician can perform whatever repairs, replacements or diagnostics as may be necessary to the module circuitry. The handling support  110  can then be used to transport the opened rigidizer to a closing fixture such as a closing fixture  120  shown in FIG.  15 . At the closing fixture, a new ECM is created by adding a housing  11  to the opened rigidizer  15 . In one embodiment, the closing fixture includes a fixed mount  122  that supports the opened rigidizer. Preferably the fixed mount includes a moveable support plate  123  arranged to initially support the top plate  16 A of the opened rigidizer  15  at a substantially forty-five degree angle relative to the horizontal. The fixed mount  122  also includes a support recess  124  within which the bend region  16 C of the rigidizer rests. A second component of the closing fixture  120  is the moveable support  126 . The moveable support  126  includes a support surface  127  that is arranged to support the bottom plate  16 B of the rigidizer, again at a substantially forty-five degree angle relative to the horizontal. The moveable support  126  is configured or powered to move in the direction of the arrow d. 
     As in the operation of the closing fixture  120 , a housing  11  can be placed between the two plates of the rigidizer  15 . At some point in the process, a joint dispensing nozzle  129  is used to apply a joint bead  130  along the exposed perimeter of the top and bottom plates  16 A,  16 B. This joint or sealing bead can be the RTV bead or any suitable metal-to-metal adhesive. Once the joint bead has been applied, the housing  11  can be rotated in the direction of the arrow a and fastened to the lower plate  16 B as described above. 
     The two halves or plates  16 A,  16 B or the rigidizer  15  are pushed together by movement of the moveable support  126 . In addition, the support plate  123  is preferably pivotably connected to the fixed mount  122  so that both the top plate  16 A and bottom plate  16 B can move toward each other in the direction of the arrow c. The support plate  123  can be separately powered or can be connected to the moveable support  126  by way of a linkage so that translation of the moveable support  126  also leads to pivoting of the support plate  123 . The movement of the moveable support  126  can be calibrated so that it stops when the rigidizer  15  is firmly joined with the housing  11 . The newly closed module can then be held within the closing fixture  120  for a period of time to allow the sealing bead to cure. After the bead has had time to cure, the newly remanufactured sealed module can be removed from the fixture  120  and installed in a vehicle. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing bead is weakened or disrupted in a machining process, as depicted in FIG.  6 C. In an alternative embodiment, the bead can be disrupted using a series of wedges, as employed by the opening fixture  140  shown in FIG.  16 . The fixture  140  can include a pair of side walls  142  a front wall  143  and a rear wall  144 . Each of the walls are preferably fixedly mounted to a base. In accordance with this embodiment, a set of wedges  146  are arranged in alignment with the sealing bead  40  between the top plate  16 A and rigidizer  15  and between the bottom plate  16 B and the housing  11 . The wedges are preferably attached to a pushing block  147 . A lead screw  148  is connected to the pushing block  147  and is threaded through an opening  149  within the side walls  142  and front wall  143 . 
     As shown in FIG. 16, two lead screws  148  are arranged in the side walls, while three lead screws are situated in the front wall. The wedges are configured to penetrate the sealing bead  40 , so that they are preferably beveled at their leading edges. Rotation of the lead screws  148  moves each pushing block  147  toward the sealed module. Further rotation of the lead screws pushes each of the wedges  146  into the sealing bead  40 , thereby disrupting the bead. As shown in FIG. 16, the lead screws  148  are configured to be manually rotated. However, the screws can be simultaneously driven by a series of rotary motors. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only one preferred embodiment there of has been shown and described an that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. For example, the opening fixture  60  can constitute a known bending brake that is modified to engage the rigidizer. In addition, the opening fixture can be modified to provide limited perimeter support of the top plate  16 A and bottom plate  16 B when the substrate  15  is sufficiently rigid to avoid warping during the opening process.