Retractable display device for a motor vehicle and a vehicle provided therewith

• US 7,869,129 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2006
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobile SA (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobile SA (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Lebreton, Etienne
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Jack
• Application Number:
  US12/094,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20080285138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/629, 359/631, 359/632, 345/7, 353/11, 353/12, 353/13, 353/14
• US Class Current: 359/632
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0181 Adaptation to the pilot/driver
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a retractable display device for a motor vehicle comprising a light source (8) for generating a displayable information and a retractable blade (1) for reflecting information towards the vehicle user. Said blade (1) is mounted on a movable support (2) displaceable between a rest position and at least one display position in such a way that said blade (1) is retracted when the movable support (2) is in the rest position and the blade is unfolded when said movable support (2) is in the display position.

Claims

1. Display device for a motor vehicle, comprising a light source intended to generate an item of information to display and an at least partially transparent retractable plate that reflects the information toward a user of the vehicle,

wherein the plate is mounted on a mobile support that is movable between a resting position and at least one display position, so that the plate is in a retracted position when the mobile support is in the resting position and the plate is in a protracted position when the mobile support is in the at least one display position,

wherein the mobile support is mounted on rails, wherein the rails (i) guide the mobile support in translation between the resting position and the at least one display position, and (ii) pivot the mobile support between the resting position and the at least one display position, so that the plate is translated and pivoted between its retracted position and its protracted position.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the plate is fixedly attached onto the mobile support.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the mobile support and the rails are arranged in a housing intended to completely enclose the mobile support and the plate when the plate is retracted.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a flap intended to close off the housing when the plate is retracted.

5. Device according to claim 3, wherein the light source is housed in the housing and in that the housing comprises a hatch that closes off the housing when the plate is retracted and opens the housing far enough when the plate is protracted so that a light beam emitted by the light source can reach the plate.

6. Device according to claim 2, which comprises a motorized means that makes it possible to move the mobile support between the resting position and at least one display position.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the motorized means is designed so as to be able to adjust the display position of the mobile support, and thereby adjust the protracted position of the plate, so as to make the height at which the information appears appropriate for the height of the user of the motor vehicle.

8. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a device according to claim 2.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile support and the rails are arranged in a housing intended to completely enclose the mobile support and the plate when the plate is retracted.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a flap intended to close off the housing when the plate is retracted.

11. Device according to claim 9, wherein the light source is housed in the housing and in that the housing comprises a hatch that closes off the housing when the plate is retracted and opens the housing far enough when the plate is protracted so that a light beam emitted by the light source can reach the plate.

12. Device according to claim 1, which comprises a motorized means that makes it possible to move the mobile support between the resting position and at least one display position.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the motorized means is designed so as to be able to adjust the display position of the mobile support, and thereby adjust the protracted position of the plate, so as to make the height at which the information appears appropriate for the height of the user of the motor vehicle.

14. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a device according to claim 1.

15. Device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile support is guided by two rails on each of its lateral sides, wherein the two rails of each side become more distant from each other toward the display position.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein a first of the two rails of each side is essentially rectilinear whereas a second of the two rails is at least one of (i) curved and (ii) placed at an angle with respect to the first rail.

17. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rails are formed as grooves in lateral support walls, and the mobile support is guided by pins engaged in the rails.

18. Device according to claim 1, wherein the plate is disengaged from the mobile support when the mobile support is in the resting position.