VEHICLE DASHBOARD PROVIDED WITH A HOUSING FOR SUPPORTING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20140361569A1
• Filed: 06/06/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.P.A. (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.P.A. (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Crepaldi, Davide, Angeletti, Marco, Mainini, Andrea, Lorenzano, Carlo
• Granted Patent: US 9,150,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/37.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/828 Mounting or fastening exchangeable modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/834 Docking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

A vehicle dashboard has a fixed structure and a casing defining a pocket having a substantially rectangular perimeter, which is defined by an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges so as to house a portable electronic device having a screen which remains visible through a window defined by a front frame of the casing; at one of the aforesaid edges, the casing has an opening which is used to insert/remove the portable electronic device along a sliding direction and is closed by a closing element.

Claims

1. A vehicle dashboard (1) comprising a fixed structure (2) and a casing (6) for supporting a portable electronic device (9), characterized in that said casing (6) comprises:

a pocket (7) for housing said portable electronic device (9) and having a substantially rectangular perimeter, defined by an upper edge (11), a lower edge (12) and two side edges (14,15);

a window (19) for displaying a screen (10) of said portable electronic device (9);

a frame (18) which frontally delimits said pocket (7) and defines at least two sides of said window (19);

an opening (16;

16a) made at one of said edges (11,12,14,15) to insert/remove said portable electronic device (9) along a sliding direction (13);

guiding means for guiding said portable electronic device (9) along said sliding direction (13) in said pocket (7);

said dashboard (1) further comprising a closing portion (32;

37;

37a) different from said portable electronic device and adapted to close said opening (16, 16a);

said closing portion and said casing being movable with respect to each other to open/close said opening (16;

16a).

2. The dashboard according to claim 1, characterized in that said closing portion is defined by a fixed portion (32) of said structure (2), and in that said casing (6) is movable with respect to said structure (2) between an open position, wherein said opening (16) is accessible, and an operating position, wherein said casing (6) is housed in a cavity (31) of said structure (2) and said opening (16) is closed by said fixed portion (32).

3. The dashboard according to claim 2, characterized by comprising coupling means that connect said casing (6) to said structure (2) to allow said casing (6) to rotate between said operating and opening positions about a rotation axis (25).

4. The dashboard according to claim 3, characterized in that said rotation axis (25) is substantially vertical.

5. The dashboard according to claim 1, characterized in that said casing (6) is fixed with respect to said structure (2), and in that said closing portion is defined by a movable closing element (37;

37a) to open/close said opening (16;

16a).

6. The dashboard according to claim 5, characterized in that one side of said window (19) is defined by said closing element (37a).

7. The dashboard according to claim 5, characterized in that said closing element (37) is defined by a removable cap.

8. The dashboard according to claim 5, characterized in that said closing element (37a) is defined by a door rotating about a further rotation axis.