Monitor apparatus for a vehicle

• US 20080100548A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Choi, In Young
• Granted Patent: US 7,847,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/87
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a monitor apparatus for a vehicle. The monitor apparatus is configured such that the LCD monitor protrudes from a case inside a shelf by sliding out through a transfer device. According to the present invention, the monitor apparatus slides in and out by means of a transfer device which pushes and pulls the monitor in a lateral direction.

Claims

1. A monitor apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a case that is installed in a shelf and attached to a lateral surface of a roof in the vehicle;

a LCD monitor that is assembled so as to slide in a lateral direction through a connection/guide device;

a positioning sensing device that is installed in the case so as to detect the position of the LCD monitor;

a controller that outputs a control signal which moves the LCD monitor to a fully developed position or a fully received position according to a signal from an operational switch and a signal from the positioning sensing device; and

a transfer device that transfers the LCD monitor in response to control signals generated from the controller between the fully received position and the fully developed position in the lateral direction.

2. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each component is built in an internal space defined by the shelf and neighboring lids.

3. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connection/guide device comprises:

a female rail and a male rail which are installed in the inner surface of the upper side of the case and in the upper side of the LCD monitor, respectively and are slidably connected to each other.

4. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the positioning sensing device comprising:

a limit switch for detecting the received position and a limit switch for detecting the developed position installed in a first side of the upper end of the LCD monitor and in the second side of the upper end of the LCD monitor respectively; and

an upper side stopper that protrudes from the internal surface of an inlet of the case so as to press the limit switch for detecting the received position in the fully received position of the LCD monitor and so as to press the limit switch for detecting the developed position in the fully developed position of the LCD monitor.

5. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device comprising:

a forward/reverse motor which is installed in one side end of the lower end of the internal space of the case and is capable of rotating forward or backward in response to a control signal generated by the controller, the forward/reverse motor being; and

a screw axis whose one end is integrally connected to the rotational axis of the forward/reverse motor, and the second end of which is connected to a lower side stopper installed in the second side end of the lower side of the internal space of the case, and the screw axis being operatively coupled to a LCD base installed in the lower end of the LCD monitor, thereby pushing or pulling the LCD monitor in a lateral direction in accordance with the direction of rotation of the forward/reverse motor.

6. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the LCD base comprises a half round-shape surface recess, which is formed on the lower surface thereof, and wherein a screw thread is formed on an inner surface of the half round-shape surface recess wherein the screw thread is engaged with a thread formed on the screw axis.

7. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a stopper end is formed in one outer end of the LCD base, and the stopper end contacts with the lower side stopper and is caught by the lower side stopper when the LCD monitor is fully received in the case.

8. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a rubber pad for absorbing an impact is attached to the surface of the lower side stopper, which is in contact with the stopper end.

9. The monitor apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a weight block is installed in the second end of the LCD base in one piece.