Stowing apparatus of picture monitor for transportation

• US 6,256,078 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Ogata, Toshiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Dudek, James A.
• Application Number:
  US09/343,530
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 248/917, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/924, 349/58
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• 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 2011/0092 with motorization
• 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: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels

Abstract

The frame 9 is mounted on the ceiling 3 of the transportation, on which the liquid crystal panel 7 is stowed in such a manner as the surface of the liquid crystal faces to the ceiling, and when the liquid crystal panel positions for displaying, it is turned by approximately 120 degrees by the drive mechanism 19, so that the passenger sitting at the seat can easily watch it. The driving of the liquid crystal panel from the stowing position to the displaying position is carried out by the motor, the displacing from the displaying position to the stowing position is carried out by the spring. When the liquid crystal panel receives a shock by the collision of a head of passenger during displaying, the detecting device may detect the deviation of the liquid crystal panel and transmit the signal to the control circuit 44. The control circuit 44 returns the liquid crystal panel 7 to the stowing position by releasing the electromagnetic brake.

Claims

1. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation comprising a frame to be mounted on a mounting plate mounted on a ceiling of the transportation, a liquid crystal panel pivoted on the frame, a surface of which faces to the ceiling in a first position for stowing and opens over 90 degrees to the stowing position pivotally in a second position for displaying, a driving mechanism for turning the liquid crystal panel between the first position and the second position, a connection mechanism interposed between an output portion of the driving mechanism and the liquid crystal panel, a shock detecting device, which is provided on one portion of the connection mechanism, for detecting a shock when the liquid crystal panel receives a shock, a control circuit for stowing the liquid crystal panel in the first position by functioning the driving mechanism, a locking mechanism for locking the liquid crystal panel in the first position and a releasing mechanism for releasing the locking of the locking mechanism.

2. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 1, said driving mechanism for displacing the liquid crystal panel between the first and second positions comprising a motor having a speed reduction mechanism and a spring mechanism stored with a restoring force by being wound by the motor, wherein, when the liquid crystal panel is displaced from the first position to the second position, the motor functions and when the liquid crystal panel is displaced from the second position to the first position, the force of restoring of the spring functions.

3. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 1, a shock detecting mechanism provided on one portion of the connection mechanism comprises two arm plates connected by pivoting on each other, a balancing spring provided between the two arm plates and an angle detector disposed nearby the two arm plates and detect the mutual angle.

4. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 1, wherein as a lock mechanism for locking the liquid crystal panel in the first position, a negatively operational electromagnetic brake is used.

5. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 1, wherein said operation of returning the liquid crystal panel to the first position when detecting a shock by the detecting device is repeated by the predetermined times, then the operation is limited.

6. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 1, wherein said speed reduction mechanism connected to the motor in the driving mechanism includes a mechanism which functions weak in resistance in the direction toward which the liquid crystal panel is driven by the motor and great in resistance in the direction toward which the liquid crystal panel is not driven.

7. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 2, wherein said spring mechanism is formed with two coil springs wound a shaft, one end of each coil spring is connected to the frame side and the other end is connected to the liquid crystal panel side.

8. A stowing apparatus for picture monitor for transportation according to claim 4, wherein a shaft for releasing the operation of said negatively operational electro-magnetic brake.