Mounting assembly for night vision display unit

• US 20040021618A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Johnson, Duane R., Matko, Mark A., Haehn, Craig S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,909,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0204 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a night vision display unit uses friction hinges to effectively position the display unit at a desired position relative to the vehicle operator. In a dashboard mounting arrangement, the friction hinge dampens movement of the display unit. In the visor mounted arrangement, the friction hinge assembly and catch assembly ensure convenient, effective storage and deployment of the visor or display unit without one component adversely impacting on the operation and use of the other component.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a night vision display unit in a vehicle compartment, the mounting assembly comprising:

a visor pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the visor movable between a storage position and a use position;

a display unit pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the display unit movable between a storage position and a deployed position; and

a first catch for securing at least one of the display unit and visor in their respective storage positions.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second catch for securing the display unit in the storage position when the visor is deployed.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first catch includes a magnet disposed on one of the visor and the display unit, and a striker mounted on the other of the visor and display unit.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein the striker is mounted in the vehicle compartment for securing the display unit in a storage position when the visor is in a use position.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the visor includes a hinge along one edge disposed adjacent the windshield.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein the display unit includes a hinge along one edge disposed in spaced relation from the windshield.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first catch includes a magnet secured to one face of the display unit opposite a display face of the display unit.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 7 wherein the visor includes a striker secured to a first face of the visor that faces outwardly when the visor is disposed in the storage position.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the display unit includes a friction hinge that dampens the display unit in a desired orientation between the storage and deployed positions.

10. A mounting assembly for securing a night vision display in a vehicle compartment, the mounting assembly comprising:

a night vision display unit pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment; and

a friction hinge that dampens movement of the display unit.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 10 further comprising a striker and a magnet assembly for retaining the display unit in a stored position.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 11 wherein the magnet is secured to a non-display face of the display unit and the striker is secured to the vehicle compartment.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 12 further comprising a second striker secured to a visor for retaining the display unit in a stored position.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 13 wherein the visor is pivotally secured in the vehicle compartment along a hinge mounted adjacent the windshield and the night vision display unit is pivotally secured in the vehicle compartment along a hinge mounted in spaced relation to the windshield.

15. The mounting assembly of claim 10 further comprising a visor pivotally mounted in the vehicle compartment for selective movement between storage and deployed positions, the display unit adapted to overlay the visor when both the visor and the display unit are in the stored positions.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 15 wherein hinges of the visor and the display unit, respectively, are located along opposite edges allowing the display unit and visor to overlap when disposed in their respective stored positions.

17. The mounting assembly of claim 15 further comprising a catch assembly having a first component on the display unit and a second component on the visor.

18. The mounting assembly of claim 17 wherein the first component is a magnet secured to the display unit and the second component is a striker secured to the visor.

19. The mounting assembly of claim 18 wherein the catch assembly further comprises a second striker in the vehicle compartment that selectively engages the magnet on the display unit when the visor is deployed and the display unit is located in the stored position.

20. A method of mounting a display unit in a vehicle compartment that allows the display unit to be used without interfering with operation of the visor comprising the steps of:

incorporating a friction hinge into the display unit; and

securing the display unit in the vehicle compartment with a bracket that receives the hinge.

21. The method of claim 20 comprising the further steps of securing a first striker to a face of a visor;

securing a magnet to a face of the display unit for selective engagement with the first striker; and

securing a second striker in the vehicle compartment for selective engagement with the magnet when the visor is deployed for use.