Display retract mechanism

• US 20040075639A1
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thales Avionics Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Thales Avionics In-Flight Systems LLC (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Foreman, Bradley, Lester, Gerald E., McQuaid, Doris, Mirand, Mauricio J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,042,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• 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: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00153 Monitors mounted on or in the seat other than the seat back
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel

Abstract

A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.

Claims

1. A display retract mechanism for moving a display from a deployed position to a retracted position, comprising:

a frame adapted for holding a display;

a pivot shaft defining a pivot axis, the pivot shaft rotatable around the pivot axis from the retracted position to the deployed position;

a lever arm fixed to the pivot shaft;

a gas spring biased toward the retracted position, the gas spring hingedly connected to the lever arm; and

a drive mechanism for rotating the pivot shaft around the pivot axis from the retracted to the deployed position.

2. The display retract mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a detector for determining when the frame is in the retracted position.

3. The display retract mechanism of claim 2, wherein a cross-hatched slip past cable connects the display to the printed circuit board.

4. The display retract mechanism of claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to a power connector.

5. The display retract mechanism of claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to a video connector.

6. The display retract mechanism of claim 2, the drive mechanism comprising:

a motor for driving a motor shaft;

a drive shaft;

a mechanical coupler for joining the motor shaft to the drive shaft;

a first gear on the drive shaft;

a second gear on a gear shaft, the first gear in mechanical contact with the second gear;

a first sprocket attached to the gear shaft;

a second sprocket attached to the pivot shaft;

a chain mounted on both the first sprocket and the second sprocket, whereby the torque from the gear shaft is transmitted to the pivot shaft;

a motor controller card for producing a motor drive signal in response to the control signal from the printed circuit board; and

a power supply for supplying power to the display retract mechanism.

7. The display retract mechanism of claim 6, further comprising:

a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the drive mechanism.

8. The display retract mechanism of claim 6, further comprising:

a latch for locking the frame into the retracted position.

9. The display retract mechanism of claim 6, wherein the gear ratio of the first gear to the second gear is about 200:

1.

10. The display retract mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing to which the pivot shaft is mounted, the housing adaptable for receiving the frame in the retracted position.

11. The display retract mechanism of claim 10, wherein the frame and the housing are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide or polyphenylsulfone.

12. The display retract mechanism of claim 10, wherein the housing is coated with a copper epoxy resin.

13. The display retract mechanism of claim 10, wherein the motor controller card, the power supply, and the printed circuit board are mounted to the housing.

14. A display retract mechanism for moving a display from a deployed position to a retracted position, comprising:

a frame adapted for holding a display;

a pivot shaft defining a pivot axis, the pivot shaft rotatable around the pivot axis from the retracted position to the deployed position;

a lever arm fixed to the pivot shaft;

a gas spring biased toward the retracted position, the gas spring hingedly connected to the lever arm;

a drive mechanism for rotating the pivot shaft around the pivot axis from the retracted to the deployed position; and

a housing to which the pivot shaft is mounted, the housing adaptable for receiving the frame in the retracted position.

15. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, further comprising:

a detector for determining when the frame is in the retracted position.

16. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, further comprising:

a cross-hatched slip past cable that connects the display with the printed circuit board.

17. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to a power connector.

18. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to a video connector.

19. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, wherein the frame and the housing are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide or polyphenylsulfone.

20. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, wherein the housing is coated with a copper epoxy resin.

21. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, further comprising:

a latch for locking the frame into the retracted position.

22. The display retract mechanism of claim 14, the drive mechanism comprising:

a motor for driving a motor shaft;

a drive shaft;

a mechanical coupler for joining the motor shaft to the drive shaft;

a first gear on the drive shaft;

a second gear on a gear shaft, the first gear in mechanical contact with the second gear;

a first sprocket attached to the gear shaft;

a second sprocket attached to the pivot shaft;

a chain mounted on both the first sprocket and the second sprocket, whereby the torque from the gear shaft is transmitted to the pivot shaft;

a motor controller card for producing a motor drive signal in response to the control signal from the printed circuit board; and

a power supply for supplying power to the display retract mechanism.

23. The display retract mechanism of claim 22, further comprising:

a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the drive mechanism.

24. The display retract mechanism of claim 22, wherein the gear ratio of the first gear to the second gear is about 200:

1.

25. The display retract mechanism of claim 22, wherein the motor controller card, the power supply, and the printed circuit board are mounted to the housing.

26. A display retract mechanism for moving a display from a deployed position to a retracted position, comprising:

a frame for holding a display;

a pivot shaft, the frame attached thereto along a pivot axis, the pivot shaft rotatable around the pivot axis from the retracted position to a deployed position;

a lever arm attached to the pivot shaft;

a gas spring biased toward the retracted position, the gas spring hingedly connected to the lever arm;

detector means for detecting when the display is in the retracted position; and

drive means for supplying torque to the pivot shaft, in order to rotate the frame around the pivot axis from the retracted position to the deployed position.

27. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, wherein a cross-hatched slip past cable connects the display to the printed circuit board.

28. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to a power connector.

29. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, wherein the printed circuit board is connected to a video connector.

30. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, further comprising:

a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the drive mechanism.

31. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, further comprising:

a latch for locking the frame into the retracted position.

32. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, wherein the gear ratio of the first gear to the second gear is about 200:

1.

33. The display retract mechanism of claim 26, further comprising:

a housing to which the pivot shaft is mounted, the housing adaptable for receiving the frame in the retracted position.

34. The display retract mechanism of claim 33, wherein the frame and the housing are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide or polyphenylsulfone.

35. The display retract mechanism of claim 33, wherein the housing is coated with a copper epoxy resin.

36. The display retract mechanism of claim 33, wherein the motor controller card, the power supply, and the printed circuit board are mounted to the housing.

37. A method for moving a display from a deployed position to a retracted position, the method comprising the steps of:

holding the display in a frame;

rotating a pivot shaft around a pivot axis, the frame attached to the pivot shaft along the pivot axis;

fixing a lever arm to the pivot shaft, the lever arm compressing a gas spring as the pivot shaft is rotated around the pivot axis from the retracted position to the deployed position; and

supplying torque to the pivot shaft for rotating the pivot shaft from the retracted to the deployed position with a drive mechanism.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

generating a detector signal;

receiving the detector signal in order to produce a status signal;

blocking the detector signal with a pin in order to prevent the receiving of the detector signal; and

processing the status signal in order to produce a control signal.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of:

attaching the pivot shaft to a housing, the housing adapted for receiving the frame when the display is in the retracted position.