Interface for connecting portable electronic device with vehicle

• US 10,680,396 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2018
• Issued: 06/09/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Original Assignee: Renault Sas (Renault)
• Inventors: Jung, Chan, Park, Jeong Cheol, Seo, Hyung Jin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan D
• Application Number:
  US16/200,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20190173247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/01 Conversion of standards , e.g. involving analogue television standards or digital television standards processed at pixel level

Abstract

An interface device for connecting a portable electronic device to a vehicle includes a holding module having a slot into which a portable electronic device with a display is inserted and a front opening exposing the display of the inserted portable electronic device, and an adaptor module coupled to a rear part of the holding module and connecting the portable electronic device to a vehicle. The holding module is disposed on a center fascia of the vehicle, and the adaptor module is disposed in the center fascia.

Claims

1. An interface device for connecting a portable electronic device to a vehicle, the interface device comprising:

a holding module having a slot into which a portable electronic device with a display is inserted and a front opening exposing the display of the inserted portable electronic device;

an adaptor module coupled to a rear part of the holding module and connecting the portable electronic device to a vehicle; and

an eject unit for ejecting the portable electronic device from the slot, the eject unit comprising;

wherein when the portable electronic device is connected to the adapter module, a vehicle mode of the portable electronic device is performed,

wherein a home button of portable electronic device and an indicator region disposed at an edge portion of the display are covered by the front face of the holding module so as to prevent a driver from switching an operation mode of the portable electronic device from the vehicle mode to a normal mode while driving the vehicle, and

wherein the holding module is disposed on a center fascia of the vehicle, and the adaptor module is disposed in the center fascia.

2. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the slot extends horizontally through a side portion of the holding module, and a communication terminal for connecting the portable electronic device to the adaptor module is provided in the slot.

3. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the eject unit comprises:

an eject member configured to be movable in a direction in which the portable electronic device is inserted into the slot and ejected from the slot, the eject member tightly contacting one side surface of the electronic device inserted into the slot;

a first elastic member for applying elastic restoring force to the eject member in the direction in which the portable electronic device is ejected from the slot; and

a release member to release the eject member to eject the portable electronic device from the slot, the release member being biased by a second elastic member in the direction in which the portable electronic device is ejected.

4. The interface device of claim 3, wherein the eject unit further comprises a locking member for fixing the eject member so that the portable electronic device is held in the slot.

5. The interface device of claim 4, further comprising:

a wedge member provided under the release member and configured to apply a downward force to the locking member when the release member is moved in the horizontal direction.

6. The interface device of claim 5, wherein the wedge member is configured to rotate the locking member via the downward force to release a locked state of the eject member and move the eject member in the direction in which the portable electronic device is ejected from the slot.

7. The interface device of claim 4, further comprising:

a third elastic member that is oriented vertically to hold the locking member in a horizontal position.

8. The interface device of claim 7, wherein third elastic member is a coil spring.

9. The interface device of claim 3, wherein the holding module comprises:

a front plate having the slot and the front opening;

a rear plate coupled to the adaptor module; and

first and second mid-plates arranged between the front plate and the rear plate,

wherein the eject unit is disposed on the second mid-plate, and the first mid-plate is provided with a guide slot for guiding the eject member.

10. The interface device of claim 3, wherein the first elastic member is a coil spring and the second elastic member is a coil spring.

11. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a latch member for preventing the portable electronic device inserted into the slot from escaping therefrom.

12. The interface device of claim 1, wherein a navigation program is run as a background program in the vehicle mode.

13. The interface device of claim 1, wherein a notification message of the portable electronic device is blocked while the vehicle mode is performed.