Display Unit for a Vehicle

• US 20180084655A1
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Published: 03/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safran Passenger Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Systems and Software Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Carswell, Samuel A., Cotler, Austin, Park, John, Ramirez, Ernesto, Sargeant, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 10,173,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/714 with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/91 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating or self aligning for coupling devices not specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R13/6315 takes precedence

Abstract

An entertainment system including a removable seat-back display unit and a docking station. The seat-back display unit can include a rotating latch butterfly release mechanism that prevents unauthorized release of the display unit from the docking station. The system can include a three-point attachment system that provides additional protection against accidental detachment of the display unit, and provide safety in the event of partial dislodging. The system can include a current control pin system that ensures that current is not provided from the docking station to the display unit until the respective connectors have been properly engaged. The system can further include a floating pin connector dock that can allow for installation of the display unit even when the connectors of the display unit and docking station become misaligned. The system can also include a heat dissipation system that employs the docking station to share the heat dissipation load with the display unit.

Claims

1. An attachment system for a removable entertainment unit, comprising:

a latch butterfly comprising;

a body including a rotational component, the rotational component configured to permit rotation of the body around a first axis of rotation, wherein rotating the body around the first axis of rotation from a lock position to an unlock position actuates a release mechanism; and

a latch head rotationally coupled to the body, and configured to permit rotation of the latch head relative to the body about a second axis of rotation, the latch head comprising a first contact point disposed on a first side of the second axis of rotation and a second contact point disposed on a second side of the second axis of rotation; and

a cover disposed in front of the body and the latch head, the cover including a first perforation aligned with the first contact point and a second perforation aligned with the second contact point.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the first and second contact points of the latch head are disposed on the respective first and second sides of the second axis such that actuating the first and second contact points with equal torques causes a rotation of the body about the first axis of rotation in the direction of the unlock position.

3. The attachment system of claim 2, wherein the first and second contact points of the latch head are disposed approximately parallel to the first axis of rotation.

4. The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising an unlock tool, the unlock tool comprising:

a first prong aligned with the first perforation and dimensioned to be inserted through the first perforation and actuate the first contact point; and

a second prong aligned with the second perforation and dimensioned to be inserted through the second perforation and actuate the second contact point;

wherein the first prong and second prong have lengths sufficient to remain in contact with the first and second contact points, respectively, when the body is in the unlock position.

5. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an actuation tab, and the release mechanism comprises an actuation surface aligned with the actuation tab of the body, the release frame configured to move from an attach position to a release position when actuated upon by the actuation tab as the body is rotated about the first axis of rotation.

6. The attachment system of claim 5, the release mechanism further comprising a release frame that includes the actuation surface, the release frame further including a first lock mechanism wherein the attach position corresponds to the first lock mechanism being engaged and the release first lock mechanism being disengaged.

7. The attachment system of claim 6, wherein the release frame is biased toward the attach position.

14. The engagement system of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the display attachment mechanism comprises a latch butterfly with a body and a latch head rotationally coupled to the body; and

a cover disposed in front of the body and the latch head.

15. The engagement system of claim 14, wherein the body includes a rotational component configured to permit rotation of the body around a first axis of rotation, wherein rotating the body around the first axis of rotation from a lock position to an unlock position actuates a release mechanism.

16. The engagement system of claim 15, wherein the latch head is configured to rotate relative to the body about a second axis of rotation, and wherein the latch head comprises a first contact point disposed on a first side of the second axis of rotation and a second contact point disposed on a second side of the second axis of rotation, and wherein the cover includes a first perforation aligned with the first contact point and a second perforation aligned with the second contact point.

8. An engagement system for a removable entertainment system, comprising:

a removable display unit, comprising;

a first hinge hook extending from an underside of the display unit at a first position, the first hinge hook curved toward a front side of the display unit;

a second hinge hook extending from the underside of the display unit at a second position, the second hinge hook curved toward the front side of the display unit; and

a display attachment mechanism disposed on a rear side or a top side of the display unit; and

a docking station configured to receive the display unit, comprising;

a first hinge loop configured to receive the first hinge hook;

a second hinge loop configured to receive the second hinge hook;

a docking attachment mechanism configured to couple with the display attachment mechanism.

9. The engagement system of claim 8, the docking station further comprising at least one alignment tab configured to interact with a corresponding at least one display alignment surface of the display unit, such that contact between the at least one alignment tab and the at least display alignment surface cause the alignment of the display unit and docking station during installation of the display unit into the docking station.

10. The engagement system of claim 9, the display unit further comprising:

at least one display alignment component that includes the at least one display alignment surface, the at least one display alignment component further comprising a lateral surface configured to contact a corresponding lateral surface of the corresponding at least one alignment tab;

wherein the contact between the lateral surface of the at least one display alignment surface and the corresponding lateral surface of the at least one alignment tab prevents movement of the display unit relative to the docking station in the direction of contact.

11. The engagement system of claim 10, wherein the at least one display alignment component comprises a cavity configured to receive the at least one alignment tab.

12. The engagement system of claim 10, wherein:

the display unit further comprises at least one heat sink thermally coupled to a heat source and the first hinge hook; and

the first hinge hook and first hinge loop are made of thermally conductive materials.

13. The engagement system of claim 12, the docking station further comprising a thermally conductive element thermally coupled to the first hinge loop.

17. A floating connector dock system for a removable entertainment system, comprising:

a docking station, comprising;

a rear panel;

a connector interface plate, the connector interface plate including at least one perforation;

a first connector interface attached to the connector interface plate;

at least one guide pin extending outward from the rear panel and passing through the at least one perforation, wherein the at least one perforation is dimensioned relative to the width of the at least one guide pin to allow for lateral movement of the at least one guide pin relative to the at least one perforation within a tolerance;

a spring mechanism disposed around the at least one guide pin between the rear panel and the connector interface plate; and

at least one dock alignment tab attached to and extending outward from the connector interface plate.

18. The floating connector dock system of claim 17, further comprising:

a removable display unit configured to dock with the docking station, the display unit comprising;

at least one display alignment mechanism corresponding to the at least one dock alignment tab; and

a second connector interface configured to interface with the first connector interface;

wherein the at least one dock alignment tab is configured to interact with the corresponding at least one display alignment mechanism to align the first connector interface of the docking station with the second connector interface of the display unit.

19. The floating connector dock system of claim 18, where the at least one display alignment mechanism comprises at least one display alignment surface configured to interact with the corresponding at least one dock alignment tab, the at least one display alignment surface tapered toward a direction of alignment.

20. The floating connector dock system of claim 18, the docking station further comprising:

a front panel fixably attached to the rear panel and disposed over the connector interface plate, the front panel including at least one perforation aligned with the connector interface plate such that the first connector interface and the at least one dock alignment tab are accessible through the at least one perforation.