Display unit for a vehicle

• US 10,173,605 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffberg, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Hung
• Application Number:
  US15/272,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20180084655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 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;

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 (i) contacting 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, and (ii) contacting the first and second contact points with unequal torques causes a rotation of the latch head about the second axis of rotation.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the first and second contact points of the latch head are disposed substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation.

3. 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.

4. 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 mechanism 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.

5. The attachment system of claim 4, 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 position corresponds to the first lock mechanism being disengaged.

6. The attachment system of claim 5, wherein the release frame is biased toward the attach position.