Patent Application
20060113881
The present invention relates generally to an automotive overhead display system and more particularly to an overhead display system capable of storage substantially flush with an automotive headliner.
Automotive designs must be adaptable to accommodate an ever increasing range of convenience features. Vehicles have become vessels for entertainment, information dissemination, and family living. A central actor in this performance is the multi-media display. These displays are used to play movies, as child pacifiers, to display vehicle location, to provide directions, and even to access services such as the internet. The wide range of features that can be implemented using a video display has increased their presence in modern vehicle design.
Although the displays may be installed in a wide variety of locations throughout the vehicle, a popular location is to mount them on the vehicle roof, protruding downwards from the headliner just behind the forward seats. This is a convenient location as it provides a line of sight for passengers potentially all rows behind the front seats. Thus a single screen can serve a plurality of passengers. These displays commonly fold up for storage and to minimize interference with rear-view mirror line-of-sight. These screens additionally fold down for viewing.
An issue arising with present headliner positioned displays arises from the bulk commonly associated with the video screens and related electronic components. The resultant bulk from the panel and electronics commonly extrudes downward into the passenger compartment of the vehicle even when the screen is folded up for storage. This can generate interference with passenger headroom and may artificially constrain positioning of the display where optimal viewing would otherwise be achieved. Additionally, protrusion into the passenger compartment may generate interference in portions of the rear-view mirror viewing window. Although the level of interference may not be large, it may be sufficient to cause displeasure or mild distraction to the driver. This may negatively impact customer satisfaction.
It would therefore be highly desirable to have an automotive entertainment assembly with reduced profile when in the stored position. It would further be highly desirable to have such an automotive entertainment assembly that provided an outward appearance designed to improve customer satisfaction.
It is therefore an object to the present invention to provide an automotive entertainment assembly with improved storage profile. It is further an object of the present invention to provide an automotive entertainment assembly with reduced footprint for increased customer satisfaction.
In accordance with the objects of the present invention an automotive entertainment assembly is provided including a vehicle roof and a headliner. The headliner provides a substantially uniform internal surface. A mounting frame assembly is positioned between the headliner and the vehicle roof. A circuit board is mounted to the mounting frame assembly. A multi-media display assembly is rotatably mounted to the mounting frame assembly and includes an upper panel edge, a lower panel edge, a pair of panel side edges. The display assembly is rotatable between a stored position and a deployed position. The multi-media display assembly includes a rear display panel surface substantially flush with the uniform internal surface when in the stored position A flexible cable provides communication between the circuit board and the multi-media display assembly.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description and preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims.
Referring now to
The multi-media display assembly 16 is rotatable between a stored position 22 and a deployed position 24 (see
The multi-media display assembly 16 is secured between the headliner 18 and the vehicle roof 20 by way of a mounting frame assembly 38 (see
It is contemplated that the polymer panel 40 may include a plurality of extended mounting flanges 50 mounted to the perimeter of the polymer panel 40. These extended mounting flanges 50 are removable and include a plurality of additional mounting locations 52. This gives the polymer panel 40 design flexibility such that it may be installed in a wide variety of differing vehicle configurations and designs. A printed circuit board 54 is mounted to the polymer panel 40 and is placed in communication with the multi-media display assembly 16 by way of a flexible cable 56 such as a ribbon cable. This allows the display 16 to be reduced in dimensional width by moving the circuit board 54 out of direct contact with the LCD 30 or similar display element. By spreading the components out they can be easily fit between the headliner 18 and the vehicle roof 20.
It is contemplated that the circuit board 54 must be capable of withstanding a wide range of vehicle vibrations during operation. The present invention, therefore contemplates a plurality of stiffening ribs 60 formed into the polymer panel 40 in regions surrounding the circuit board 54. It is even contemplated that the circuit board 54 may be directly mounted to a select group of these stiffening ribs 60. In addition, a circuit board cover 62 may be mounted to the polymer panel 40 such that the circuit board 54 is positioned between the polymer panel 40 and the cover 62. This further reduces the chance for damage to the circuit board 54. A connector element 64 may extrude through the circuit board cover 62 to allow easy communication with the PCB 54.
The multimedia display assembly 16 is rotatably mounted to the mounting frame assembly 38 by way of at least one frictional hinge element 66. The at least one frictional hinge element 66 preferably comprises a right hinge element 68 and a left hinge element 70 mounted to provide a hinge rotation center line 72 remote from the upper panel edge 32 of the display assembly 16. This allows for the multi-media display assembly 16 to be rotated between positions with minimal interference from surrounding structure. It is further contemplated that a panel support bracket 74 is mounted connecting the left and right hinges elements 68,70 and the display panel 30 is directly mounted to the panel support bracket 74. This ensures a reduction is support structure (allowing further reduction in dimensions) as well as insuring proper rotational movement. Although friction hinges are preferred, a variety of hinge styles are contemplated by the present invention. Friction hinges assure the multi-media display assembly 16 may be stopped in any position allowed by the hinges 68,70 and remain there until further adjustment is imparted by vehicle passengers.
It is further contemplated that a cantilever stop arm 76 may be formed onto the multi-media display assembly 16 such that a precise stored position 22 may be consistently achieved. The assembly 10 may also include a trim panel 80 (or trim ring) which may be utilized to improve appearance and hide internal display mechanism from view. It is contemplated that the trim ring 80 may be mounted to the mounting frame assembly by way of a plurality of trim attachment guides 82 formed in the polymer panel 40. This allows a finished appearance to be installed into any vehicle regardless of configuration since only the mounting frame assembly 38 need be physically mounted to the vehicle and the attachments necessary to do so are hidden from view after installation.
While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
