In-car entertainment system for passengers in front row of car, instrument panel and car

Abstract

The invention relates to an in-vehicle entertainment system for an occupant in the front of a motor vehicle, which is arranged on the dashboard of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the in-vehicle entertainment system comprises: an entertainment device, which is moved in translation between a hidden position, which is hidden by the dashboard in the hidden position, and a withdrawn position, which is used by the occupant in the withdrawn position, the invention relates to a display device having a carrier and a screen, in its extracted position, the screen pivots relative to the carrier between a stacked position, in which the screen is stacked on the carrier, and an opened position, in which the screen and the carrier form an angle to each other; the collision protection device comprises a tensioning device, the tensioning device is in a tensioned state in the extraction position, and the collision protection device can be triggered, so that the entertainment device in the extraction position translates to the hidden position under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device, and the screen in the opening position is pivoted to the stacking position. The invention further relates to an instrument panel for a motor vehicle and the motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an in-car entertainment system for front-row passengers of a car, a dashboard and a car. Background Art

[0002] In order to enhance the entertainment function of the front passenger seat in the car, automobile manufacturers are increasingly choosing to integrate entertainment screens on the dashboard in front of the front passenger seat. These screens are either integrated flush with the main surface of the dashboard or integrated suspended above the main surface of the dashboard.

[0003] Although the installation of a passenger entertainment screen enhances the entertainment functionality in the car, these screens are still visible from the outside when not in use, which may cause visual discomfort to the passengers. On the other hand, these screens set up for entertainment often pose safety hazards because they are usually located, especially when in use, on the deployment path of the passenger airbag in the dashboard. When the car encounters a collision accident, the huge deployment speed of the airbag may cause the LCD screen to fly or even break, causing secondary injuries to the passenger in the car. The airbag itself may also be scratched by the screen and leak air, thus losing its collision protection function for the passengers.

[0004] Therefore, the co-pilot entertainment screen that integrates both entertainment and safety is in urgent need of further development and improvement. In addition, the applicant recognizes that with the rapid development of intelligent driving, the driver in the driving seat will be gradually liberated from manual driving operations, so this entertainment screen will also be required to be installed in the driving seat in the near future. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an in-car entertainment system for front-seat passengers of a car, a dashboard and a car, by means of which at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art can be solved.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an in-car entertainment system for front-seat passengers of a car, wherein the in-car entertainment system is arranged at a dashboard of the car, and is characterized in that the in-car entertainment system comprises:

[0007] An entertainment device that can be moved in translation between a concealed position and a pulled-out position, wherein in the concealed position the entertainment device is at least largely hidden by the instrument panel, and in the pulled-out position the entertainment device can be used by an occupant, wherein the entertainment device has a carrier and a screen, and in the pulled-out position of the entertainment device the screen can be pivotally moved relative to the carrier between a stacked position and a folded-out position, wherein in the stacked position of the screen the screen is stacked on the carrier and the screen is therefore not in the deployment path of the airbag, and in the folded-out position of the screen the screen and the carrier form an angle with each other and the screen can be used to display image content to the occupant, and

[0008] A collision protection device, wherein the collision protection device includes a tensioning device, wherein the tensioning device is in a tensioned state when the entertainment device is in the withdrawn position, wherein, in the event of a predetermined emergency event occurring in the vehicle and requiring deployment of the airbag, the collision protection device can be triggered, so that the entertainment device in the withdrawn position moves translationally toward its hidden position under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device and the screen in the folded-open position pivots toward the stacked position as a result.

[0009] The technical effects that can be achieved by the in-vehicle entertainment system of the present invention include, but are not limited to: on the one hand, the entertainment device can be basically located in its hidden position when not in use, so that it will not cause visual discomfort to the occupants. On the other hand, the airbag deployment and the collision protection device triggering are linked to each other to ensure that in an emergency, such as when a violent collision occurs, the screen is promptly transformed to a position away from the airbag deployment path, without affecting the normal deployment of the airbag. On the other hand, the entertainment device can automatically enter its hidden position in an emergency to prevent itself from physically colliding with the occupants who are leaning forward and causing harm to the occupants.

[0010] Advantageously, the entertainment device further comprises a projector, which is arranged on the carrier and is capable of projecting image content onto the screen when the screen is in its folded-out position.

[0011] Advantageously, the screen is constructed as a plastic sheet covered with a fabric screen.

[0012] Advantageously, the carrier is designed as a carrier plate.

[0013] Advantageously, the in-vehicle entertainment system comprises an actuating device capable of actuating the entertainment device to make it translate between the hidden position and the withdrawn position, and the actuating device can generate a self-locking force in the withdrawn position of the entertainment device to resist the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

[0014] Advantageously, the actuator has a theoretical separation position, and the collision protection device has an emergency release device, which is configured to separate the actuator at its theoretical separation position when a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle while the entertainment device is in the pulled-out position so that the actuator loses its self-locking force, thereby allowing the entertainment device to move translationally to the hidden position under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

[0015] Advantageously, an additional locking mechanism is associated with the entertainment device, which can provide the entertainment device with an additional locking force when the entertainment device is in its extended position, which locking force, together with the self-locking force of the actuating device, counteracts the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

[0016] Advantageously, the locking force provided by the locking mechanism is smaller than the tensioning force of the tensioning device, so that after the actuating device is separated at its theoretical separation position, the entertainment device can overcome the locking force under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device and translate to the hidden position.

[0017] Advantageously, the emergency release device is further configured to disable the locking mechanism and cause it to lose its locking force when a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle while the entertainment device is in the withdrawn position.

[0018] Advantageously, the emergency release device comprises a signal receiver for receiving a trigger signal and an explosion device which is triggered when the signal receiver receives the trigger signal, and the explosion device is configured to separate the actuating device at its theoretical separation position by explosion.

[0019] Advantageously, the emergency release device comprises an electrically or magnetically driven separation device which is triggered upon receiving a trigger signal and is configured to separate the actuating device at a theoretical separation position by mechanical or magnetic force.

[0020] Advantageously, when a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle, the emergency release device receives the trigger signal and the airbag receives the detonation signal for its deployment, both of which are performed synchronously.

[0021] Advantageously, when a predetermined emergency event occurs in the automobile, an electronic control unit of the automobile sends a detonation signal to the airbag, and the emergency release device synchronously receives the detonation signal from the electronic control unit as its trigger signal.

[0022] Advantageously, the actuating device comprises a transmission mechanism including a mechanism for converting a rotational movement into a translational movement.

[0023] Advantageously, the theoretical disconnection point is formed by at least one transmission element of the transmission or by a support of the actuating device.

[0024] Advantageously, the transmission has a toothed or threaded toothing which is designed as the desired release point.

[0025] Advantageously, the mechanism for converting the rotational motion into the translational motion is configured as a rack and pinion transmission or a spindle and nut transmission, and their tooth meshing pairs or thread meshing pairs are configured as the theoretical separation point.

[0026] Advantageously, the in-vehicle entertainment system comprises guide means for linearly guiding the entertainment device as it moves in translation between the concealed position and the withdrawn position.

[0027] Advantageously, the guide device is designed as a rail system having at least one two-part rail having two rail sections which are arranged one above the other and can slide relative to one another.

[0028] Advantageously, the carrier is provided with a corresponding slide rail which is slidably engaged with one of the two slide rail sections.

[0029] Advantageously, during the translational movement of the entertainment device towards its concealed position under the tensioning force of the tensioning device, the screen in the flipped-open position can be pivotally moved towards the stowed position by impacting onto a predetermined impact area on the dashboard.

[0030] Advantageously, the predetermined collision area is provided with a structural shape or an elastic layer to assist in transitioning the screen from the folded-out position to the stacked position.

[0031] Advantageously, the in-vehicle entertainment system comprises a control device, which can control the translation movement of the entertainment device between the hidden position and the withdrawn position and / or the pivotal movement of the screen between the stacked position and the unfolded position according to the control instructions of the occupant.

[0032] Advantageously, in the hidden position of the entertainment device, the entire screen is hidden from view in the accommodation space inside the dashboard.

[0033] Advantageously, in the hidden position of the entertainment device, a large part of the carrier is hidden from view in the receiving space inside the dashboard.

[0034] Advantageously, in the hidden position of the entertainment device, the proximal end outer surface of the carrier facing the occupant transitions basically smoothly into the outer surface of the instrument panel, while the portion of the carrier other than the proximal end outer surface is hidden in the accommodating space inside the instrument panel and is not visible.

[0035] Advantageously, the outer surface of the proximal end of the carrier is designed with a color and / or pattern for identification and / or decoration.

[0036] Advantageously, the tensioning device is designed as a tension spring or compression spring extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier.

[0037] Advantageously, the in-car entertainment system is arranged in front of the passenger in the front passenger seat and / or in front of the passenger in the main driver seat.

[0038] Advantageously, the carrier plate is provided on its upper surface with a receiving portion complementary to the structure of the screen, so that in the folded position of the screen the screen and the carrier plate together form a substantially flat upper surface of the entertainment device.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an instrument panel for a vehicle, characterized in that the instrument panel is provided with an in-vehicle entertainment system according to the invention.

[0040] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a car, characterized in that the car has an in-car entertainment system according to the present invention.

[0041] Advantages of the corresponding embodiments as well as various additional embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of the corresponding embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0043] Figure 1a A schematic side view of a section through a vehicle dashboard cut longitudinally at the glove box shows an in-car entertainment system for front passengers of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention in a non-used state, wherein the entertainment device is in its hidden position and the screen is in its folded position.

[0044] Figure 1b Schematically shown in bottom view Figure 1a In-car entertainment system and Figure 1a Parts corresponding to the middle state, wherein the tension spring is in the initial relaxed or pre-tensioned state,

[0045] Figure 2a The side view schematically shows a section through the glove box of a car dashboard cut longitudinally. Figure 1a The in-car entertainment system is in a first use state, wherein the entertainment device is in its extended position and the screen is in its folded position,

[0046] Figure 2b Schematically shown in bottom view Figure 2a In-car entertainment system and Figure 2a Parts corresponding to the middle state, where the tension spring is in the maximum tension state,

[0047] Figure 3a The side view schematically shows a section through the glove box of a car dashboard cut longitudinally. Figure 1a The in-car entertainment system is in a second use state, wherein the entertainment device is in its extended position, the screen is in its flipped-up position, and the projector has not yet projected image content onto the screen.

[0048] Figure 3b Schematically shown in bottom view Figure 3a In-car entertainment system and Figure 3a Parts corresponding to the middle state, where the tension spring is in the maximum tension state,

[0049] Figure 4a The side view schematically shows a section through the glove box of a car dashboard cut longitudinally. Figure 1a The in-car entertainment system is in a second use state, wherein the entertainment device is in its extended position, the screen is in its flipped-over position, and the projector is projecting image content onto the screen.

[0050] Figure 4b Schematically shown in bottom view Figure 4a In-car entertainment system and Figure 4a Parts corresponding to the middle state, where the tension spring is in the maximum tension state,

[0051] Figure 5a The side view schematically shows a section through the glove box of a car dashboard cut longitudinally. Figure 1a The entertainment device of the in-car entertainment system is in an emergency release state when encountering an emergency event, wherein the explosive device has exploded so that the theoretical separation position of the actuating device has been separated, and the projector has stopped projecting image content onto the screen,

[0052] Figure 5b Schematically shown in bottom view Figure 5a In-car entertainment system and Figure 5a Some components corresponding to the middle state, wherein the explosive device has exploded and disappeared, and the tension spring is in the maximum tension state.

[0053] Figure 6a The side view schematically shows a section through the glove box of a car dashboard cut longitudinally. Figure 1a The entertainment device of the in-vehicle entertainment system in the vehicle has returned to a hidden position in the event of an emergency, wherein the screen has returned to its folded position, and

[0054] Figure 6b Schematically shown in bottom view Figure 6a In-car entertainment system and Figure 6a Partial components corresponding to the middle state, wherein the explosive device has exploded and disappeared, and the tension spring returns to its initial relaxed or pre-tensioned state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Various illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described below. In this specification, for the sake of explanation only, various systems, structures and devices are schematically depicted in the accompanying drawings, but all features of the actual systems, structures and devices are not described, such as well-known functions or structures are not described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessary details that make the present invention unclear. Of course, it should be understood that in any practical application, many specific implementation decisions need to be made to achieve the specific goals of the developer or user, and system-related and industry-related restrictions need to be followed, and these specific goals may vary from practical application to practical application. In addition, it should be understood that such specific implementation decisions are complex and time-consuming, but this is a routine task for those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from the present invention.

[0056] The terms and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the understanding of such terms and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. Consistent usage of a term or phrase herein is not intended to imply a special definition of the term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. For terms or phrases that are intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning that is different from that understood by those skilled in the art, such special definition will be explicitly listed in the specification as a definition, directly and unambiguously giving the special definition of the term or phrase.

[0057] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification below, the word "include" and variations such as "comprises" are to be interpreted in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as "including but not limited to".

[0058] Throughout the description of this specification, reference to the terms "an embodiment", "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in different places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0059] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first", "second", etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0060] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install", "connect", "couple", "connect", "fix" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0061] In the following description of the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout the drawings and their descriptions. In addition, the individual features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The sizes of the individual features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention. For additional aspects of the teachings that can be directly identified from the drawings, see the relevant prior art. It is noted here that various modifications and changes in the form and details of the embodiments can be implemented without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

[0062] Next, combine Figures 1a to 6b To describe an exemplary embodiment of the in-car entertainment system 1 for the front-seat passengers of a car of the present invention. The in-car entertainment system 1 can be used for entertainment activities such as watching videos and reading books by the front-seat passengers of the car. The in-car entertainment system 1 of the present invention can be integratedly installed in the dashboard (or dashboard assembly) 2 in the car, specifically, it can be installed in front of the front-seat passengers of the car, such as the front passenger seat passengers (in this embodiment) and / or the main driver seat passengers (in this case, the car can be at least partially driven automatically). The in-car entertainment system 1 can be set, for example, in the transition space between the upper body 3 and the lower body 4 of the dashboard, for example, in the present embodiment, it is set above the glove box 4 in the car. Of course, the specific setting position can be adjusted according to actual needs, and there is no limitation here.

[0063] The in-car entertainment system 1 may include an entertainment device 5 for the front seat passengers to perform entertainment activities. The entertainment device 5 may include a carrier 6, which is configured as a substantially square carrier plate 6 (see Figure 1b , 2b , 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b). In other embodiments, the carrying plate 6 may also be configured in other shapes, such as a trapezoid, a circle, etc. The carrying plate 6 may extend horizontally and may have a proximal end 10 facing the occupant and a distal end 9 away from the occupant (see Figure 3a The entertainment device 5 may also include a screen 7 and a projector 8 that cooperate with each other, wherein the projector 8 can project image content, such as video, onto the screen 7 for the passengers to watch. The image content can be projected onto the screen 7 by the projector 8 via an in-car player or a passenger player such as a mobile phone, either wired or wirelessly.

[0064] The screen 7 can be hingedly connected with the distal end 9 of the carrier plate 6 by a hinge mechanism (such as a hinge, a pivot shaft, a hinge, etc.) at one end thereof (see Figure 3a The hinge mechanism can be arranged on the side or upper surface of the distal end 9 of the carrier plate 6. The other end of the screen 7 can be a free end. Therefore, the screen 7 can be in its flipped-open position (see Figure 3a , 4a , 5a) and stacking position (see Figure 1a , 2a , 6a). In the folded position of the screen 7, the free end of the screen 7 is oriented upward or obliquely upward, and the screen 7 can therefore form an angle with the carrier plate 6 (the angle is not 0 degrees or 180 degrees), for example, a predetermined angle, such as 90 degrees or more. In the stacked position of the screen 7, the screen 7 can be stacked, for example, against the carrier plate 6, with its free end oriented toward the occupant. At this time, the screen 7 cannot be used for projection, but can be used as a support plate, for example, an iPad, books, etc. can be placed on it.

[0065] The screen 7 can be constructed as a plastic sheet or a plastic thin sheet, on which a shadow cloth for easy development can be additionally covered or set. The screen 7 can be about the size of an A4 paper, or it can be designed to be larger or smaller according to needs. The weight of the screen 7 in the form of a plastic thin sheet can therefore be lighter than that of a conventional screen 7 such as a liquid crystal screen, for example, only a dozen to several dozen grams, so that the screen 7 can be pivoted or turned over or closed or stacked on the carrier plate 6 with only a small external force. In addition, such a plastic screen 7 covered with a shadow cloth is less fragile than a liquid crystal screen when hit by an external force, and in particular, the shadow cloth made of fabric can also help prevent the plastic sheet from breaking and splashing.

[0066] In other embodiments, the entertainment device 5 may also only have a liquid crystal screen 7 that can be connected to a player, but not a projector 8. However, the liquid crystal screen is not as good as the plastic screen 7 covered with a shadow cloth in terms of impact resistance.

[0067] The projector 8 can be fixed or integrated on or in the proximal end 10 of the carrier plate 6. When the screen 7 is in the folded-out position, the projector 8 can project image content toward the screen 7. The mounting position of the projector 8 should not hinder the screen 7 from entering its stacked position.

[0068] In this embodiment, the width of the screen 7 (in the transverse direction of the car) can be equal to or less than the width of the carrier plate 6 (in the transverse direction of the car), and the length of the screen 7 (in the longitudinal direction of the car) can be less than the length of the carrier plate 6 (in the longitudinal direction of the car). Here, the screen 7 can be substantially flush with the distal end 9 of the carrier plate 6 at the distal end, and can extend to a position at a certain distance from the proximal end 10 of the carrier plate 6 at the proximal end, so as to leave a position for the projector 8 to be installed on the proximal end of the carrier plate 6. In addition, in order to make the screen 7 and the carrier plate 6 form a flat upper surface of the entertainment device 5 together in the stacked position of the screen 7, the carrier plate 6 can be provided with a receiving portion (here, a receiving recess) complementary to the structure of the screen 7 on its upper surface. The flat surface formed in this way increases the functionality of the entertainment device 5, that is, books and the like can be placed as described above. In addition, it is also conceivable to provide a circular recess for accommodating a tea cup or a coffee cup on the carrier plate 6 to further increase the functionality.

[0069] In other embodiments, the screen 7 can basically extend to the proximal end 10 of the supporting plate 6 so that a larger screen 7 can be used, and the projector 8 can then be basically integrated into the structural shape of the proximal end 10 of the supporting plate 6, the design of which will be described below.

[0070] The entertainment device 5 can have a hidden position that is basically invisible from the outside of the instrument panel 2 or the vehicle interior space I, and a pull-out position that is located outside the instrument panel 2 or inside the vehicle interior space I and can be used by the occupants. In this article, the inside of the instrument panel 2 can be understood as the side that is in front of the outer surface of the instrument panel when viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle and is covered by the instrument panel and is invisible, while the outside of the instrument panel 2 can be understood as the visible vehicle interior space I that is behind the outer surface of the instrument panel when viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle. In the hidden position of the entertainment device 5, the entire screen 7 and at least most of the supporting plate 6 can be hidden in the accommodating space R located on the inside of the instrument panel 2. However, in the hidden position, the outer surface S of the proximal end 10 of the supporting plate 6 facing the occupants (see the large schematic diagram) is Figure 1a) can be basically smoothly transitioned with the outer surface of the instrument panel 2, so it can be seen from the outside. For this reason, the proximal end 10 of the carrier plate 6 can be designed with a structural shape so as to achieve a smooth transition between it and the outer surface of the upper body and / or lower body of the instrument panel 2 in the hidden position. In this embodiment, the structural shape is a raised structure protruding upward from the upper surface of the carrier plate 6 and protruding downward from the lower surface of the carrier plate 6. The outer surface S of the raised structure facing the occupant can follow the direction of the outer surface of the upper body and / or lower body of the instrument panel 2 in the hidden position, so that it does not look abrupt and cause visual discomfort. The outer surface S of the proximal end 10 of the carrier plate 6 can also be designed with a color or pattern that serves as an identification or decoration, so that the entertainment device 5 can also be noticed as a high-end configuration or serve as a decoration in the hidden position. As mentioned above, the raised structure can also be designed to be used for integrating the projector 8 so as to make as much stacking space as possible for the screen 7.

[0071] In the hidden position of the entertainment device 5 , the entertainment device 5 not only does not visually cause discomfort to the occupants, but also does not cause physical damage to the occupants or hinder the deployment of the airbag with its screen 7 in an emergency, such as when a collision occurs.

[0072] In the extracted position of the entertainment device 5 , the entertainment device 5 can be at least mostly (completely in the present embodiment) removed from the interior of the dashboard 2 and exposed to the outside for use by the passengers.

[0073] The in-vehicle entertainment system 1 may include a guiding device. When the entertainment device 5 moves in translation between the hidden position and the pulled-out position, the guiding device may guide the entertainment device 5 in a straight line. When the entertainment device 5 is in its pulled-out position, the guiding device may also provide a certain upward support to the entertainment device 5, which helps the entertainment device to achieve its support function for books and the like. The guiding device may be configured as a rail system. The rail system may include two or more rails 11, which may extend in parallel to each other at intervals in the transverse direction of the vehicle. They may be arranged on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate 6. Each rail 11 may be configured as a two-section rail 11 here. Of course, other multi-section rails 11 or one-section rails 11 may also be used in other embodiments, without limitation. Each two-section rail 11 may have two rail sections 12, 13 (see FIG. 1 ) which are stacked one above the other and may slide relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Figure 2a). On the one hand, the slide rail 11 can be fixed in the accommodating space R inside the dashboard 2 with its slide rail section 12, and on the other hand, it can be slidably connected to the supporting plate 6 with its upper slide rail section 13. Correspondingly, the supporting plate 6 can be provided with a corresponding slide rail (not shown) on its lower surface that slidably cooperates with the slide rail 11, specifically, its upper slide rail section 13, and the corresponding slide rail can be guided to translate along the slide rail 11, specifically, its upper slide rail section 13. The use of the two-section slide rail 11 here is very advantageous. On the one hand, it can completely deliver the entertainment device 5 into the accommodating space R in the retracted state (at this time, the outer surface S of the distal end of the supporting plate 6 can be exposed to the outside) (see Figure 1a , Figure 6a ); On the other hand, in the unfolded state, the entire entertainment device 5 or its carrier plate 6 and screen 7 can be sent from the accommodating space R to the outside of the dashboard, that is, the interior space I (see Figure 2a , 3a At this time, the lower slide rail section 12 of the two-section slide rail 11 is completely in the accommodation space R, and the upper slide rail section 13 spans the accommodation space R to the opening of the vehicle interior space I to ensure that the entertainment device 5 is completely sent out.

[0074] The in-car entertainment system 1 may include an actuating device that can actuate the entertainment device 5 to make it move horizontally between the hidden position and the withdrawn position along the guide device, that is, the slide rail 11. The actuating device may include a motor 14 for providing a driving force (see Figure 1a , 2a , 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a) and a transmission mechanism 15 for transmitting a driving force (here only Figure 1b , 2b , 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b show their straight parts). The motor 14 can be configured as a servomotor 14, and the transmission mechanism 15 can include a mechanism capable of converting the rotational motion of the motor 14 into a linear motion, such as a gear rack transmission mechanism 15 (this embodiment) or a screw nut transmission mechanism 15. The motor 14 can indirectly act on the mechanism that converts the rotational motion into the linear motion through an additional gear (reduction) transmission mechanism. The rack 16 of the gear rack transmission mechanism 15 or the screw of the screw nut transmission mechanism can extend on the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate 6.

[0075] For the rack and pinion transmission mechanism 15, the gear (not shown) and the rack 16 are constituted as a tooth meshing pair, and they cooperate through tooth meshing. The rotational movement of the gear can be converted into the translational movement of the rack 16. The rack 16 can be fixedly connected to the lower surface of the support plate 6 by a fixing structure at its proximal end, but it is also conceivable to be connected to its distal side. Thus, the back-and-forth translational movement of the rack 16 can be transmitted to the support plate 6 so that the entire entertainment device 5 can move back and forth in translation. For the screw and nut transmission mechanism, the screw and the nut are constituted as a threaded meshing pair, and they cooperate through thread meshing. The nut can be fixed to the support plate 6, and the rotation of the screw can drive the nut to drive the support plate 6 to move in translation. Since the screw only has rotational movement, it should be arranged here to extend only on the inner side of the dashboard 2. In order to be able to send the supporting plate 6 to its fully extended position, for example, an attachment extending away from the occupant can be provided on the distal end 9 of the supporting plate 6. The attachment extends with its proximal end to the screw in the extended position of the supporting plate 6, and the nut is arranged on the proximal end of the attachment.

[0076] The in-car entertainment system 1 may include a control device (not shown), which can control the use of the in-car entertainment system 1 according to the control command input by the occupant, and may include: the transformation of the entertainment device 5 between the hidden position and the withdrawn position, the transformation of the screen 7 between the unfolded position and the stacked position, the opening and closing of the projector 8, and the selection of image content, etc. The control device may therefore include a command input device, which may be integrated on the outer surface S of the distal end of the carrier plate 6, or integrated on a separate remote controller, or integrated on a vehicle interior component that is easily accessible to the occupant, such as the dashboard 2, the center console, or the seat.

[0077] The in-car entertainment system 1 may include a collision protection device, which can be used to urgently close the screen 7 of the entertainment device 5 when a predetermined emergency occurs, such as when the car has just or is about to have a severe collision and the airbag needs to be deployed, such as before or at the same time as the airbag is deployed, and to urgently retract the entertainment device 5 to its hidden position, that is, retract it into the accommodation space R of the instrument panel 2. The collision protection device can therefore be configured as a passive collision protection system. Since the screen 7 is in the deployment path of the airbag when the entertainment device 5 is in the withdrawn position and the screen 7 is in its flipped-up position, when the car has a severe collision and the airbag needs to be deployed, it is necessary to automatically and timely convert the screen 7 to its stacked position to avoid the deployment path of the airbag, and automatically retract the entire entertainment device 5 into the instrument panel 2.

[0078] The collision protection device may include a tensioning device, which can put the entertainment device 5 in a tensioned state when the entertainment device 5 is in the withdrawn position. The tensioning device can be configured as one or more tension springs 17 extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier plate 6 (shown here as two symmetrical ones about the longitudinal axis of the carrier plate 6, see Figure 1b , 2b , 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b). The distal end of the tension spring 17 away from the occupant can be fixed in the accommodating space R of the instrument panel 2, and the proximal end of the tension spring 17 close to the occupant can be fixed on the carrier plate 6, specifically on its lower surface (in this embodiment) or on its side away from the occupant or in the carrier plate 6. When the entertainment device 5 is in its hidden position, the tension spring 17 is in its initial state of relaxation or pre-tensioning, and as the entertainment device 5 changes from its hidden position to the pulled-out position, the tension spring 17 is gradually tensioned and stores energy. When the entertainment device 5 is in its pulled-out position, the tension spring 17 is in the maximum tension state and has the maximum tensioning force. The maximum tensioning force can be designed to be less than the self-locking force provided by the actuator or its transmission mechanism 15 based on its own structure when the entertainment device 5 is in the pulled-out position. The self-locking force can prevent the entertainment device 5 from being automatically retracted into the accommodating space R of the instrument panel 2 and entering its hidden position undesirably under the maximum tensioning force of the tension spring 17. In some embodiments, the entertainment device 5 may be provided with an additional locking mechanism, which may provide an additional locking force for the entertainment device 5 when the entertainment device 5 is in its pulled-out position, and the locking force, together with the self-locking force of the transmission mechanism 15, overcomes the maximum tension force of the tension spring 17 to prevent the entertainment device 5 from being pulled back from the pulled-out position to the hidden position by the tension spring 17. However, the locking mechanism is designed so that the locking force it can provide is less than the tension force of the tension spring 17, so that when the self-locking force of the transmission mechanism 15 disappears, the tension spring 17 can smoothly overcome the locking force of the locking mechanism based on its maximum tension force (for example, by damaging the locking mechanism) and pull the entertainment device 5 back into the instrument panel 2. In other embodiments, the tensioning device may also be configured as one or more compression springs extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier plate 6, which are gradually tensioned (compressed) and stored energy as the entertainment device 5 changes from its hidden position to the pulled-out position.

[0079] The collision protection device may further include an emergency release device 18 cooperating with the tensioning device, and the emergency release device 18 may release the entertainment device 5 in the withdrawn position in an emergency, so that the tensioning device, here the tension spring 17, may promptly retract the entertainment device 5 into the accommodation space R inside the instrument panel 2. The emergency release device 18 may be configured to make the actuator or its transmission mechanism 15 separate at its theoretical separation position, so that the actuator loses its self-locking force, thereby the entertainment device 5 (if necessary, together with the transmission mechanism part (here the rack 16) connected thereto, or even the entire actuator) may be smoothly and quickly retracted into the accommodation space R under the tension of the tension spring 17. The theoretical separation position of the actuator or its transmission mechanism 15 may be any possible disengageable position that causes it to lose its self-locking force, which may be a transmission link of the transmission mechanism 15, or a support of the actuator or the transmission mechanism 15.

[0080] In this embodiment, the emergency release device 18 may include a signal receiver 19 that receives a trigger signal. The emergency release device 18 may be triggered when its signal receiver 19 receives a trigger signal. The emergency release device 18 may also include a (micro) explosion (or explosive) device that is triggered when the signal receiver 19 receives a trigger signal. The explosion device 20 may be arranged at the theoretical separation position of the transmission mechanism 15, and its explosion may cause the transmission mechanism 15 to separate at this position, so that it loses its self-locking force. For the rack and pinion transmission device in this embodiment, the meshing position of the gear and the rack 16 can serve as the theoretical separation position of the transmission mechanism 15, and the explosion device 20 may be arranged here, and based on its explosion, the rack 16 is quickly disengaged from the gear, and the rack 16 can be driven by the entertainment device 5 in a direction away from the occupant without hindrance until the entertainment device 5 enters its hidden position. Instead of the explosive device 20, it is also possible to consider using a non-destructive (electrically or magnetically driven) separation device, which is configured to quickly separate the actuator or transmission mechanism 15 at a theoretical separation position when a trigger signal is received, thereby allowing the entertainment device 5 to be quickly retracted under the tension of the tension spring 17. For a gear rack transmission, the separation device can be designed to quickly disengage the gear and rack 16 when a trigger signal is received.

[0081] After the emergency release device 18 of the collision protection device is triggered, the screen 7 in the flipped-up state will first collide with the predetermined collision area 21 of the instrument panel 2 at the exit of the accommodation space R. Based on the collision force, the predetermined collision area 21 will quickly transform the screen 7 from the flipped-up position to the stacked position, and then retract it into the accommodation space R together with the carrier plate 6. To this end, the predetermined collision area 21 of the instrument panel 2 at the exit of the accommodation space R can be set to a structural shape that is conducive to the collision and closing of the screen 7, or an elastic layer can be additionally provided, so that when the entertainment device 5 is urgently pulled back by the tension spring 17, the predetermined collision area 21 can safely assist in quickly transforming the screen 7 from the flipped-up position to the stacked position.

[0082] The signal receiver 19 of the emergency release device 18 can directly receive a trigger signal from the electronic control unit (ECU) in the vehicle. For example, when the electronic control unit transmits a detonation signal to the airbag to trigger the airbag to inflate and deploy, the emergency release device 18 or its signal receiver 19 synchronously receives its trigger signal from the electronic control unit. That is, when the electronic control unit detects a collision or an imminent collision, it can send a detonation signal to the signal receiver of the airbag to prompt the airbag to deploy, and synchronously send a trigger signal to the signal receiver 19 of the emergency release device 18 to prompt the screen 7 to fold and the entertainment device 5 to retract. In other words, when it is determined that a predetermined emergency event has occurred in the car, such as the vehicle is in or about to be in a dangerous state (such as a violent collision), the emergency release device 18 will synchronously receive the detonation signal sent by the electronic control unit to the airbag as its trigger signal, and then work in coordination with the deployment of the airbag to start the emergency release device 18 to protect the safety of the occupants.

[0083] The ECU electronic control unit can determine whether a severe collision has occurred or is about to occur based on various sensors installed inside and outside the vehicle, such as collision sensors and acceleration sensors. The severe collision is sufficient to activate the deployment of the airbag and trigger the collision protection device of the in-car entertainment system 1, specifically its emergency release device 18.

[0084] Here, the deployment of the airbag and the triggering of the collision protection device can be linked, so that before the deployment of the airbag, the screen 7 in the folded-up position is firstly ensured to automatically enter its stacked position and leave the deployment path of the airbag to ensure that the deployment of the airbag is not affected by the screen 7. Secondly, the entertainment device 5 automatically enters its hidden position immediately afterwards to ensure that it, specifically its carrying plate 6, does not physically collide with the occupant who is leaning forward and cause harm to the occupant.

[0085] Next, combine Figures 1a to 4b The normal use process of the in-car entertainment system 1 of the present invention is introduced.

[0086] The in-car entertainment system 1 is not in use. Figure 1a and Figure 1b At this point, the entertainment device 5 is in its hidden position, the screen 7 is in its folded position, and the tension spring 17 is in its initial untensioned or pretensioned state.

[0087] When the passenger wants to use the in-car entertainment system 1, the passenger can operate the command input device of the control device to activate the in-car entertainment system 1. First, the control device controls the in-car entertainment system 1 to enter its state under the corresponding operation command of the passenger. Figure 2a and Figure 2b In the first use state, the entertainment device 5 moves from its hidden position to its withdrawn position, the screen 7 is still in its stacked position, and the tension spring 17 is tensioned by the entertainment device 5 with the maximum tension force. At this time, the entertainment device 5 can be used as a carrier of items such as books or iPads.

[0088] Then, under the corresponding operation instruction of the occupant, the control device controls the in-car entertainment system 1 to enter its Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 4a and Figure 4b In the second use state shown in FIG. In this second use state, the entertainment device 5 is in its pulled-out position, and the screen 7 of the entertainment device 5 enters its folded-out position from its stacked position (see FIG. Figure 3a , Figure 3b ) and the projector 8 is turned on (see Figure 4a , Figure 4b ), and the tension spring 17 is still tensioned by the entertainment device 5 with the maximum tension. At this time, the projector 8 and the screen 7 of the entertainment device 5 start to work, providing image entertainment services for the passengers. Conversely, the passengers can also control the control device to control the in-vehicle entertainment system 1 from the second use state of image entertainment to the first use state through corresponding operation instructions. Of course, the transition between the first and second use states of the in-vehicle entertainment system 1 can be manually performed by the passengers.

[0089] Of course, the occupant can also directly and continuously switch the in-vehicle entertainment system 1 from its unused state to its second used state for video entertainment activities through corresponding operation instructions.

[0090] When the occupant wants to stop using the in-car entertainment system 1, the control device controls the in-car entertainment system 1 to change from its first or second use state to its above-mentioned state under the corresponding operation instruction of the occupant. Figure 1a and Figure 1b Shown in unused condition.

[0091] Next, combine Figures 5a to 6b The following describes a collision protection process implemented by the in-car entertainment system 1 of the present invention when a collision occurs in a car by using its collision protection device.

[0092] When the vehicle collides violently or is determined to be about to collide violently, the electronic control unit sends a trigger signal to the signal receiver 19 of the emergency release device 18, and the emergency release device 18 is activated, that is, the actuating device is exploded and separated by the explosion device 20 at the theoretical separation position (here, the rack 16 is completely disengaged from the gear), see Figure 5a and Figure 5b .Depend on Figure 5a It can be seen that the projector 8 stops projecting the image content, and Figure 5b It can be seen that the explosive device 20 has been blown up and the rack is in a freely recyclable state.

[0093] Then, the entertainment device 5 is quickly pulled toward its hidden position by the tension spring 17 and the screen 7 is thereby struck closed by the predetermined impact area 21 of the instrument panel 2, see Figure 6a and Figure 6b .

[0094] The present invention may include any feature or feature combination or generalization disclosed herein, whether implicitly or explicitly, and is not limited to any of the limited scopes listed above. Any element, feature and / or structural arrangement described herein may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0095] The specific embodiments disclosed above are exemplary only, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art who benefit from the teachings herein that the present invention can be modified and implemented in different but equivalent ways. Therefore, it is obvious that the specific embodiments disclosed above can be changed and modified, and all such variations are considered to fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An in-car entertainment system (1) for front-seat passengers of a car, the in-car entertainment system being arranged on a dashboard of the car, characterized in that: The in-car entertainment system (1) comprises: An entertainment device (5) capable of translational movement between a concealed position and a withdrawn position, wherein in the concealed position the entertainment device (5) is at least largely concealed by the instrument panel (2), and in the withdrawn position the entertainment device (5) can be used by an occupant, wherein the entertainment device (5) comprises a carrier (6) and a screen (7), wherein in the withdrawn position of the entertainment device (5), the screen (7) can be pivotally moved relative to the carrier (6) between a stacked position and a folded-out position, wherein in the stacked position the screen (7) is stacked on the carrier (6) and the screen (7) is therefore not in the deployment path of the airbag, and in the folded-out position the screen (7) and the carrier (6) form an angle with each other and the screen (7) can be used to display image content to the occupant, and A collision protection device, the collision protection device comprising a tensioning device, wherein the tensioning device is in a tensioned state when the entertainment device (5) is in the withdrawn position, wherein, in the event of a predetermined emergency event occurring in the vehicle and requiring deployment of the airbag, the collision protection device can be triggered, so that the entertainment device (5) in the withdrawn position moves translationally toward its hidden position under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device and the screen (7) in the folded-out position pivots toward the stacked position accordingly.

2. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The entertainment device (5) also has a projector (8), which is arranged on the carrier (6) and can project image content onto the screen (7) when the screen (7) is in its unfolded position.

3. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The screen (7) is constructed as a plastic sheet covered with a fabric shadow cloth.

4. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The carrier (6) is designed as a carrier plate.

5. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The in-vehicle entertainment system (1) comprises an actuating device, which can actuate the entertainment device (5) to make it translate between a hidden position and a withdrawn position, and the actuating device can generate a self-locking force in the withdrawn position of the entertainment device (5) to resist the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

6. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The actuating device has a theoretical separation position, and the collision protection device has an emergency release device (18). The emergency release device (18) is configured to separate the actuating device at its theoretical separation position when a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle while the entertainment device (5) is in the pulled-out position, so that the actuating device loses its self-locking force, thereby allowing the entertainment device (5) to move in translation to the hidden position under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

7. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that An additional locking mechanism is provided for the entertainment device (5), which can provide an additional locking force for the entertainment device (5) when the entertainment device (5) is in its pulled-out position, and the locking force, together with the self-locking force of the actuating device, resists the tensioning force of the tensioning device.

8. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The locking force provided by the locking mechanism is smaller than the tensioning force of the tensioning device, so that after the actuating device is separated at its theoretical separation position, the entertainment device (5) can overcome the locking force under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device and move translationally toward the hidden position.

9. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The emergency release device (18) is also configured to disable the locking mechanism and lose its locking force when a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle while the entertainment device (5) is in the pulled-out position.

10. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The emergency release device (18) comprises a signal receiver (19) for receiving a trigger signal and an explosion device (20) which is triggered when the signal receiver (19) receives the trigger signal, and the explosion device (20) is configured to separate the actuating device at its theoretical separation position by explosion.

11. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The emergency release device (18) comprises an electric or magnetically driven separation device which is triggered when a trigger signal is received, and the separation device is configured to separate the actuating device at a theoretical separation position by mechanical force or magnetic force.

12. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that When a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle, the emergency release device (18) receives the trigger signal and the safety airbag receives the detonation signal for its deployment, both of which are performed synchronously.

13. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that When a predetermined emergency event occurs in the vehicle, an electric control unit of the vehicle sends a detonation signal to the safety airbag, and an emergency release device (18) synchronously receives the detonation signal from the electric control unit as its trigger signal.

14. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The actuating device comprises a transmission mechanism (15), and the transmission mechanism (15) comprises a mechanism for converting rotational motion into translational motion.

15. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The theoretical separation point is formed by at least one transmission element of the transmission mechanism (15) or by a support of the actuating device.

16. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The transmission (15) has a toothed pair or a threaded pair which is designed as the theoretical separation point.

17. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The mechanism for converting the rotational motion into the translational motion is formed as a rack and pinion transmission mechanism or a screw nut transmission mechanism, and their tooth meshing pairs or thread meshing pairs are formed as the theoretical separation point.

18. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The in-vehicle entertainment system (1) comprises a guide device which linearly guides the entertainment device (5) when the entertainment device (5) moves in translation between a concealed position and a withdrawn position.

19. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The guide device is designed as a guide rail system having at least one two-section guide rail (11) having two guide rail sections (12, 13) which are arranged one above the other and can slide relative to each other.

20. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that The bearing member (6) is provided with a corresponding slide rail which is slidably matched with one of the two slide rail sections (12, 13).

21. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that During the translational movement of the entertainment device (5) towards its hidden position under the action of the tensioning force of the tensioning device, the screen (7) in the flipped-open position can pivot towards the folded position by impacting a predetermined impact area (21) on the dashboard (2).

22. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that The predetermined collision area (21) is provided with a structural shape or an elastic layer to assist in converting the screen (7) from the unfolded position to the stacked position.

23. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The in-car entertainment system (1) comprises a control device, which can control the translation movement of the entertainment device (5) between a hidden position and a withdrawn position and / or the pivotal movement of the screen (7) between a stacked position and an unfolded position according to the control instructions of the occupant.

24. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that In the hidden position of the entertainment device (5), the entire screen (7) is hidden from view in the accommodation space (R) inside the dashboard (2).

25. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that In the hidden position of the entertainment device (5), most of the carrier (6) is hidden in the receiving space (R) inside the instrument panel (2) and cannot be seen.

26. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 25, characterized in that In the hidden position of the entertainment device (5), the outer surface (S) of the proximal end (10) of the carrier (6) facing the occupant basically smoothly transitions into the outer surface of the instrument panel (2), while the portion of the carrier (6) other than the outer surface (S) of the proximal end (10) is hidden in the accommodating space (R) on the inner side of the instrument panel (2) and is not visible.

27. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 26, characterized in that The outer surface (S) of the proximal end (10) of the carrier (6) is designed with a color and / or pattern for identification and / or decoration.

28. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The tensioning device is designed as a tension spring or a compression spring extending in the longitudinal direction of the support (6).

29. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The in-car entertainment system (1) is arranged in front of the passenger in the co-pilot seat and / or in front of the passenger in the main driver seat.

30. The in-car entertainment system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The carrier plate is provided with a receiving portion on its upper surface which is complementary to the structure of the screen (7), so that in the stacked position of the screen (7), the screen (7) and the carrier plate together form a substantially flat upper surface of the entertainment device (5).

31. An instrument panel (2) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that The dashboard (2) is provided with an in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

32. An automobile, characterized in that The motor vehicle has an in-car entertainment system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

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