Vehicle monitor device

• US 10,625,608 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2018
• Issued: 04/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Akaike, Fumitoshi, Tsuji, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Tony O
• Application Number:
  US16/210,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20190176626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 345 11, 345156
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1442 Emulation of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1523 Matrix displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/77 Instrument locations other than the dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/656 the user being a passenger
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/658 the instruments being ergonomically adjustable to the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/001 of tables or trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0282 for the use of several passengers, e.g. simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone

Abstract

A vehicle monitor device for a vehicle that includes at least a first seat and a second seat, the vehicle monitor device including: a monitor which is electrically connected to a computer of the vehicle and which can be used for driving the vehicle; and a moving mechanism capable of moving the monitor between a position where the monitor can be used for driving by an occupant seated on the first seat and a position where the monitor can be used for driving by an occupant seated on the second seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle monitor device for a vehicle that includes at least a first seat and a second seat,

the vehicle monitor device comprising:

a monitor which is electrically connected to a computer of the vehicle and which is configured for driving the vehicle; and

a movement support structure configured to move the monitor between a position where the monitor is usable for driving by an occupant seated on the first seat and a position where the monitor is usable for driving by an occupant seated on the second seat.

2. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a posture changing mechanism configured to change a posture of the monitor,

wherein the movement support structure is configured to arrange the monitor between the first seat and the second seat, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change the posture of the monitor arranged between the first seat and the second seat by the movement support structure so as to form a partition wall shape.

3. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 2,

wherein the monitor includes a plurality of plate-shaped monitor components, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change a posture of the monitor components to make monitor surfaces of the plurality of monitor components flush with each other and face toward a direction of at least one of the first seat and the second seat, so that the monitor components can be used as a single monitor.

4. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 3,

wherein the first seat and the second seat are arranged to face each other,

wherein the movement support mechanism moves the plurality of monitor components to a position between the first seat and the second seat, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change a posture of one monitor component so as to face the first seat, and is configured to change a posture of another monitor component so as to face the second seat.

5. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 3,

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to hold the plurality of monitor components horizontally so that the monitor surfaces face upward, whereby the monitor components comprise a table.

6. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 5,

wherein the monitor components are provided with back plates, respectively, each of the back plates being provided on a respective back surface of the monitor components in an overlapped manner, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to relatively unfold the monitor components and the back plates, so that the monitor components and the back plates comprise a table.

7. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 3,

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to hold the plurality of monitor components horizontally so that the monitor surfaces face upward, whereby the monitor components comprise a table.

8. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 7,

wherein the monitor components are provided with back plates, respectively, each of the back plates being provided on a respective back surface of the monitor components in an overlapped manner, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to relatively unfold the monitor components and the back plates, so that the monitor components and the back plates comprise a table.

9. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 2,

wherein the monitor includes a plurality of plate-shaped monitor components, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change a posture of the monitor components so that the plurality of monitor components can be arranged in an overlapped manner.

10. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 1,

wherein the movement support structure includes a supporting column that is erected on a floor portion and that supports the monitor, and

wherein the supporting column is connected to the floor portion and is configured to incline toward at least one side of radially outer sides of the supporting column with respect to the floor surface.

11. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 10,

wherein the posture changing mechanism includes:

a link mechanism provided at a tip end of the supporting column;

a hinge mechanism for supporting the monitor; and

a rotation mechanism provided between the link mechanism and the hinge mechanism.

12. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 1,

wherein the movement support structure includes a supporting column that is erected on a floor portion and that supports the monitor, and

wherein the supporting column is connected to the floor portion and is configured to incline toward at least one side of radially outer sides of the supporting column with respect to the floor surface.

13. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 12,

wherein the posture changing mechanism includes:

a link mechanism provided at a tip end of the supporting column;

a hinge mechanism for supporting the monitor; and

a rotation mechanism provided between the link mechanism and the hinge mechanism.

14. A vehicle monitor device for a vehicle that includes at least a first seat and a second seat, the vehicle monitor device comprising:

a monitor which is connected to a computer of the vehicle and which is configured for driving the vehicle;

a movement support structure configured to move the monitor between a position where the monitor is useable for driving by an occupant seated on the first seat and a position where the monitor is usable for driving by an occupant seated on the second seat, and

a posture changing mechanism that changes a posture of the monitor,

wherein the movement support structure positions the monitor between the first seat and the second seat, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the monitor positioned between the first seat and the second seat by the movement support structure so as to form a partition wall shape.

15. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 14,

wherein the monitor includes a plurality of plate-shaped monitor components, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change a posture of the monitor components to make monitor surfaces of the plurality of monitor components flush with each other and face toward a direction of at least one of the first seat and the second seat, so that the monitor components can be used as a single monitor.

16. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 15,

wherein the first seat and the second seat are arranged to face each other,

wherein the movement support mechanism moves the plurality of monitor components to a position between the first seat and the second seat, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change a posture of one monitor component so as to face the first seat, and is configured to change a posture of another monitor component so as to face the second seat.

17. The vehicle monitor device according to claim 14,

wherein the monitor includes a plurality of plate-shaped monitor components, and

wherein the posture changing mechanism is configured to change a posture of the monitor components so that the plurality of monitor components can be arranged in an overlapped manner.