Liquid crystal display device

• US 6,424,386 B1
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JAMCO Corporation
• Original Assignee: JAMCO Corporation
• Inventors: Shimizu, Toshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US09/288,301
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 348/837, 348/836, 312/7.2, 312/319.7, 312/223.1
• US Class Current: 348/837
• 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: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13

Abstract

A liquid crystal display device 1 comprising a housing 100 is mounted to a ceiling member of an airplane. An image control unit 110 is fixed to the housing 100, and a liquid crystal display 300 is fixed to a main shaft positioned at a center of rotation C₁, so as to be driven to the arrow R₁ direction. In a retracting unit, a liquid crystal panel 310 of the liquid crystal display 300 is opposed to the image control unit 110, and stored inside a cover 2,00 surrounding the housing 100. The whole height H₁ of the liquid crystal display device 1 may be reduced, so as to secure the overhead clearance of the passengers.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal display device comprising a housing, a cover surrounding said housing, a liquid crystal display mounted to said housing revolvably between a retracted position and an evolved position, a control unit of said liquid crystal display, a drive unit of said liquid crystal display, and a control unit of said drive unit;

wherein said drive unit of said liquid crystal display is equipped with a motor, a reduction gear for reducing an output of said motor, an intermediate shaft driven by said reduction gear, two coil-springs being co-axial with said intermediate shaft, a main shaft connected through a gear to said intermediate shaft, an arm mounted on said main shaft, and a bracket for mounting said liquid crystal display supported revolvably by said arm.

2. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting a rotation of said liquid crystal display against said supporting arm.

3. A liquid crystal display device comprising a housing, a cover surrounding said housing, a liquid crystal display mounted to said housing revolvably between a retracted position and an evolved position, a control unit of said liquid crystal display, a drive unit of said liquid crystal display, and a control unit of said drive unit;

wherein said drive unit of said liquid crystal display is equipped with a motor, a first one-way clutch transmitting only a forward rotation of said motor, a clutch to which an output of said first one-way clutch is inputted, a reduction gear to which an output of said clutch is inputted, an intermediate shaft driven by the output of said reduction gear, two coil-springs being co-axial with said intermediate shaft, a main shaft driven by said intermediate shaft, and a liquid crystal display supported by said main shaft; and

said liquid crystal display is driven from said retracted position to said evolved position by a driving force of said motor, and driven from said evolved position to said retracted position by a spring force of said coil-springs.

4. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 3, further comprising a third one-way clutch to which an output of said clutch is inputted, and a damper to which an output of said third one-way clutch is inputted;

wherein said third one-way clutch transmits a force to move said liquid crystal display toward the retracting direction to said damper.

5. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 3, further comprising a second one-way clutch to which an output of said clutch is inputted, and a brake to which an output of said second one-way clutch is inputted;

wherein said brake generates a braking force when the power supply to said liquid crystal display device is stopped, and said second one-way clutch transmits said braking force to move said liquid crystal display toward the evolving direction.

6. A liquid crystal display device according to claim 5, further comprising a device for releasing an operation of the brake manually.