Display device having two display units

• US 6,570,628 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Inventors: Hirano, Yoshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, MINH TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US09/657,941
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 395/87, 395/905, 390/995, 390/990, 248/920, 399/1, 399/11, 399/58, 360/681, 360/683, 359/629, 359/670, 340/461, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 349/11
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable

Abstract

A display device 1 includes an enclosure 2, a first display unit 3 and a second display unit 6. The enclosure 2 is provided with an opening portion 2a through which the first display unit 3 is loaded/unloaded. The first display unit 3 is movably provided between a loading position where said first display unit is completely loaded in the enclosure and a viewing position where information is visually recognized by a driver. The second unit 6 is pivotally supported at its end potion 6c by a pivotal shaft 7 attached to the enclosure 2. The second display unit 6 includes a display 6a and a frame member 6b. When the first display unit 6 is located at both loading position and the viewing position, an end face 6d of the frame member 6b is opposite to said opening portion 2a of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

an enclosure;

a first display unit provided so that it can be freely unloaded/loaded from/into said enclosure;

a second display unit provided in front of said first display unit in a direction of unloading the first display unit from said enclosure.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure has an opening portion through which said first display unit is loaded/unloaded, said second display unit includes a second display panel for displaying information and a second frame member for enclosing said second display panel so that when the first display unit is loaded in and unloaded from the enclosure, an end face of said frame member is opposite to said opening portion of the enclosure.

3. A display device according to claim 2,

further comprising a first driving mechanism for driving said first display unit between a loading position where said first display unit is completely loaded in said enclosure and a viewing position where information is visually recognized by a driver,

wherein

said enclosure is provided with a pivotal shaft provided so as to extend widthwise at an edge of said opening portion;

said second display unit is pivotally supported by said pivotal shaft in a state urged in a direction of causing said end face to close said opening and information on said display panel to be visually recognized; and

when said first driving mechanism drives said first display unit from said loading position to said viewing position and vice versa, said first display unit pushes the said second display to rotate around said pivotal shaft in a direction of opening the said opening portion.

4. A display device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first driving mechanism for driving said first display unit between a loading position where said first display unit is completely loaded in said enclosure and a viewing position where information is visually recognized by a driver,

a second driving mechanism for driving said second display unit around said pivotal shaft,

wherein

said enclosure is provided with a pivotal shaft provided so as to extend widthwise at an edge of said opening portion;

when said first display unit is located at said loading position or said viewing position, said second display unit remains in a state where information on said display panel can be visually recognized; and

when said first driving mechanism drives said first display unit from said loading position to said viewing position and vice versa, said second driving mechanism pushes the said second display unit to rotate around said pivotal shaft in a direction of opening the said opening portion from the state where said end face of said frame member is opposite to said opening portion of the enclosure.

5. A display device according to claim 3, wherein

said first display unit includes a first display panel for displaying information and a first frame member for enclosing said first display panel;

said second display panel has a smaller size that of said first display panel; and

when said first display unit is located on both loading position and viewing position, the second display unit remains in a state where information on said second display panel can be visually recognized.

6. A display device according to claim 4, wherein

said first display unit includes a first display panel for displaying information and a first frame member for enclosing said first display panel;

and

said second display panel has a smaller size that of said first display panel.