Object support device with constrained movement arms participating in multiple spatial orientations, for a vehicle

Abstract

A support device (SD) is fitted to a vehicle interior component (VE) and comprises: - a receiving part (RP) designed to receive an object, - two arms (BP1-BP2) coupled to the receiving part (RP), each having a free end (EL1-EL2), and - two cam tracks (CC1-CC2) coupled to the vehicle (VE) but offset, having different curvilinear shapes, and in which the free ends (EL1-EL2) can move, in order to allow the receiving part (RP) to be placed in multiple spatial orientations. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: OBJECT SUPPORT DEVICE WITH CONSTRAINED MOVEMENT ARM PARTICIPATING IN MULTIPLE SPATIAL ORIENTATIONS, FOR A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to support devices which are intended to equip vehicle interiors, and which can receive an object. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, can receive in a (their) passenger compartment at least one object which can possibly be transported by a user. As an illustrative example, when the vehicle includes a dashboard, the latter can be used to support a mobile telephone or a navigation aid device or even a display screen.

[0003] Currently, the object can be coupled to equipment in a passenger compartment either directly, by insertion into a small dedicated housing (or "well") defined in a wall, or indirectly, by coupling an attached support device and coupling the object to this support device.

[0004] In the first alternative (well), when the object is a mobile phone, part of its screen is housed in the well and therefore masked. Furthermore, this only allows a single orientation (of the “portrait” type) of the object.

[0005] In the second alternative (support device), the passenger compartment equipment becomes cluttered and a function performed by this equipment may be affected. This is the case, for example, when the support device is secured to a dashboard air vent. In addition, the user of the object must purchase this support device (which must be perfectly adapted to the sub-part of the equipment that is to receive it), and this support device must be permanently present in the vehicle. In addition, vibrations and shocks induce small movements of the object relative to the equipment, which is annoying for the user and can sometimes cause noise. Incidentally, it should be noted that the fins of the dashboard air vents, which allow the coupling of a support device, tend to disappear, and therefore this removes a coupling sub-part of the dashboard.Furthermore, the spatial orientation of the object by such support devices is generally very limited, and for example proves insufficient to satisfy at least one of the two front passengers of a vehicle. Finally, such support devices do not gener- ally allow. only one orientation (portrait type) of the object.

[0006] It has also been proposed, in particular in document FR-B1 3019507, a support device comprising a support part having a front face in which is defined a concave space suitable for receiving an object to be held, and intended to be coupled in rotation to two pairs of connecting rods, right and left, mounted in rotation on equipment while being placed at different heights. This makes it possible to integrate the support part into a housing of the equipment when it is not in use or to extract it from this housing and raise it when it must be used.

[0007] A disadvantage of this type of support device lies in the fact that its support part cannot be spatially oriented relative to the equipment due to its coupling by the connecting rods. Therefore, when the object to be supported includes a display screen, as is the case in particular with a mobile phone (possibly a smart phone (or "smartphone")), it is difficult for a user who is not installed directly in front of it to see what is displayed on its display screen. This is particularly the case when the equipment is a dashboard of a vehicle, and the support device is installed in a central position on this dashboard, and therefore offset relative to the seats accommodating the front passengers (including the driver).It will be understood that in this illustrative example, in order for the driver to be able to observe the details of what is displayed on the mobile phone screen and / or act with his fingers on this screen, he must lean towards it, which can be dangerous.

[0008] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0009] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a support device suitable for equipping equipment in a vehicle passenger compartment and comprising a receiving part having a front face suitable for receiving an object.

[0010] This support device is characterized by the fact that it also comprises:

[0011] - two (rigid) arms coupled to the receiving part and each comprising a free end, and

[0012] - two cam paths suitable for being coupled to the equipment by being offset, having different curvilinear shapes, and in which the free ends of the arms can move respectively,

[0013] to allow placement of the receiving part in multiple spatial orientations.

[0014] Thanks to the constrained movements of the free ends of the arms in the cam tracks, the support device can now offer a multiplicity of spatial orientations and a closer approach to the user, while being particularly simple to operated by the user.

[0015] The support device according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0016] - the (rigid) arms can have different lengths;

[0017] - it may comprise a first interface part on which is rotatably mounted the receiving part around a first axis and mounted for rotation around a second axis on a second interface part to which the arms are coupled;

[0018] - in the presence of the last option, the second axis can be perpendicular to the first axis;

[0019] - it may comprise a housing suitable for being fixedly secured to the equipment, and defining an internal space in which the cam tracks are fixedly installed;

[0020] - the front face of the receiving part may include a concave space specific to receive the object;

[0021] - its receiving part can be suitable for receiving a display screen or a mobile phone or tablet or a navigation aid device.

[0022] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a passenger compartment comprising at least one piece of equipment comprising at least one support device of the type presented above.

[0023] For example, this equipment can be a dashboard. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0025] [Fig.l] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a front view from the passenger compartment side, a part of an example of a motor vehicle passenger compartment comprising an example of equipment constituting a dashboard and comprising a support device according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a horizontal plane, an exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention, placed in an intermediate non-oriented position,

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a horizontal plane, the support device of [Fig.2], placed in a position suitable for its use by the driver of a vehicle, and

[0028] [Fig.4] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a horizontal plane, the support device of [Fig.2], placed in a position suitable for its use by a front passenger seated to the right of the driver of the vehicle. Detailed description of the invention

[0029] The invention aims in particular to propose a support device DS intended to equip EV equipment with a passenger compartment H of a vehicle V, and comprising a receiving part PR suitable for receiving an object, possibly transportable, and capable of being placed in multiple spatial orientations.

[0030] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated non-limitingly and partially in [Fig.l]. But the EV equipment can be part of any vehicle interior, and in particular a land vehicle interior or a boat interior or even an aircraft interior.

[0031] Furthermore, taking into account the preceding choices, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the EV equipment is a dashboard. But within a vehicle interior the EV equipment could also be a console, a seat back (or bench), or a side door trim, for example.

[0032] In Figures 1 to 4, the X direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0033] In the above and the following, the notions of "front" and "rear" are defined in relation to the users (here installed on the front seats present in the passenger compartment H of the vehicle V). Consequently, the front face of an element is oriented towards the users (and therefore here towards the interior of the passenger compartment H), while the rear face of this element is oriented towards the front compartment (engine) and opposite the front face.

[0034] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a part of a passenger compartment H of a vehicle V (here a car) comprising EV equipment (here a dashboard) comprising a DS support device according to the invention. It will be noted that in this illustrative example the DS support device is fixedly secured in an internal housing (not visible) of the EV equipment (here a dashboard) and therefore appears partially in front of the seats dedicated to the front passengers, in order to be able to be used by the latter. Furthermore, it will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1] the EV dashboard only comprises a single DS support device approximately centered on the median plane of the passenger compartment H of the vehicle V. But the EV dashboard could comprise several (at least two) DS support devices.

[0035] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, a support device DS, according to the invention, includes at least one receiving part PR, two (rigid) arms BPj (j = 1 or 2), and two cam paths CCj (j = 1 or 2).

[0036] The receiving part PR is suitable for receiving an object. It may optionally be made of the same material as that from which the front face FV1 (here) of the dashboard EV is made. Such an arrangement may make the receiving part PR less visible when it is placed in front of the front face FV1 of the EV equipment (here a dashboard) in an intermediate position not oriented towards one of the front passengers (illustrated in [Fig.2]).

[0037] It will be noted, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, that the receiving part PR may have a front face FV2 in which a concave space EC is defined which is suitable for receiving an object to be supported and held. But in an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the receiving part PR could comprise a wall to which the rear face of the object is secured by clipping and / or screwing, in a durable manner.

[0038] For example, the object may be transportable by a user of the vehicle V. In this case, it may constitute a mobile telephone (possibly of the “smartphone” type) or an electronic tablet. But the object may also be a display screen forming part of a display device of the vehicle V (here a vehicle), or may constitute such a display device (sometimes called a central handset in a vehicle), or may be a navigation aid device.

[0039] When the receiving part PR comprises the concave space EC, the latter (EC) may have a generally rectangular shape homologous to the generally rectangular shape of at least part of the object that it is to receive (at least in part). But the concave space EC may have other shapes than a rectangle.

[0040] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, each of the arms BPj is coupled to the receiving part PR and has a free end ELj.

[0041] Furthermore, and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the two cam paths CCj are suitable for being coupled to the equipment EV by being offset (preferably within the same plane (for example the horizontal plane XY)). Furthermore, these cam paths CCj have different curvilinear shapes, and the free ends ELj of the (rigid) arms BPj are coupled to them respectively (CCj) so that they can move in a constrained manner and simultaneously.

[0042] This arrangement of the support device DS allows placement of its receiving part PR (and therefore of the object that it receives) in multiple spatial orientations and bringing users closer together (here a front passenger and a driver), while being particularly simple to operate by the user.

[0043] Three different spatial orientations are illustrated respectively in Figures 2 to 4.

[0044] In [Fig.2], the receiving part PR is placed in an intermediate position which is not specifically directed towards one of the front passengers.

[0045] In [Fig. 3], the receiving part PR is placed in a position which is advantageously close to the driver due to the respective positions of the free ends ELj of the (rigid) arms BPj in the associated cam paths CCj, and therefore adapted to its use by this driver. Furthermore, in this latter position the receiving part PR is also oriented towards the driver of the vehicle V for a reason described later.

[0046] In [Fig. 4], the receiving part PR is placed in a position which is advantageously close to the front passenger due to the respective positions of the free ends ELj of the arms BPj in the associated cam paths CCj, and therefore adapted to its use by this front passenger. Furthermore, in this latter position the receiving part PR is also oriented towards the front passenger, installed (here) to the right of the driver of the vehicle V, for a reason described later.

[0047] It will be noted that many other spatial orientations of the receiving part PR can be obtained. They are then between the spatial orientation of [Fig.2] and the spatial orientation of [Fig.3] or between the spatial orientation of [Fig.2] and the spatial orientation of [Fig.4].

[0048] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the first BPI and second BP2 arms may be rectilinear rigid rods. It will be noted that the latter (BPj) may be fixedly secured to each other in an intermediate part so as not to flex when an object is received by the receiving part PR. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, at least one of the arms BPj could possibly have a curved shape.

[0049] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the two arms BPj may have different lengths. Thus, in the example of Figures 2 to 4, the first arm BPI is shorter than the second arm BP2 due to the relatively large offset between the two cam paths CCj. But the arms BPj could be substantially identical, provided that the two cam paths CCj are very close to each other and have suitable curvilinear shapes.

[0050] In a particular embodiment, the cam paths, although different, have a similar architecture. For example, as shown in the figures, the cam paths have four successive portions: a first portion essentially along the transverse direction Y, a second portion inclined in an XY plane, a third portion essentially along the Y direction, a fourth portion inclined in an XY plane.

[0051] It will be noted that the difference in length between the BPj arms on the passenger side (j = 2) and the driver side (j = 1) is here intended to bring the receiving part PR closer to the passenger or driver, while allowing this receiving part PR to be oriented towards the passenger or driver. In the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the arm BP2 is longer than the arm BPI so that the receiving part PR can be closer to the passenger than to the driver. This makes it possible not to hinder the driver in his movements. But an inverse arrangement is possible, so that the receiving part PR can be closer to the driver than to the passenger.

[0052] Thus, in [Fig. 3], the difference in length between the arms BPj allows the receiving part PR to be not only brought closer to the driver, but also oriented towards the driver, which facilitates the use and observation by the driver of the object received by the receiving part PR. On the other hand, in [Fig. 4], the difference in length between the arms BPj allows the receiving part PR to be not only brought closer to the front passenger, but also oriented towards the front passenger, which facilitates the use and observation by the front passenger of the object received by the receiving part PR.

[0053] The transition from the position dedicated to the driver ([Fig.3]) to the position dedicated to the front passenger ([Fig.4]) also results from the respective shapes of the cam paths CCj. Here, they each have a first curvature followed by a second curvature with inversion of the direction of curvature.

[0054] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the support device DS may also comprise first PII and second PI2 interface parts.

[0055] The receiving part PR is rotatably mounted on the first interface part PII around a first axis AL. For this purpose, the first interface part PII may, for example, comprise a front face provided with a small axial rod (or a circular cylindrical pin) which is rotatably housed (without the possibility of exit) in a dedicated housing defined in a rear face of the receiving part PR, as illustrated non-limitingly in FIGS. 2 to 4. But an inverse arrangement could also allow the rotation of the receiving part PR relative to the first interface part PII.

[0056] Also as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the first interface part PII is rotatably mounted on the second interface part PI2 about a second axis A2 (which is not parallel to the first axis A1). For this purpose, the second interface part PI2 may, for example, comprise two small axial rods (or circular cylindrical pins) opposite and housed rotatably (without the possibility of exit) respectively in two dedicated housings defined in a rear part of the first interface part PII, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4. But an inverse arrangement could also allow the rotation of the first interface part PII in relation to the second interface part PI2.

[0057] In addition, the arms BPj are coupled to the second interface part PI2, as illustrated.

[0058] Because the receiving part PR is, here, rotatably mounted on the first part PII interface, the object received by the PR receiving part can be optionally placed in any orientation, and in particular in a portrait or landscape orientation.

[0059] In the presence of the illustrated arrangement, the rotations around the first A1 and second A2 axes combined with the constrained movements of the free ends ELj of the arms BPj in the cam paths CCj allow the support device DS to offer a multiplicity of spatial orientations and a closer approach to the user (here a front passenger or a driver) while being particularly simple to actuate by the user.

[0060] It will be noted that a limitation of at least one of the two rotations around the first A1 and second A2 axes may possibly be envisaged. Thus, it would be possible in particular to limit the rotation around the first axis A1 to move from portrait orientation to landscape orientation. Any means known to those skilled in the art may be implemented here to achieve a limitation, and in particular the use of notches and stops.

[0061] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the second axis A2 may be perpendicular to the first axis A1. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, what is important is that the first A1 and second A2 axes are not parallel to each other.

[0062] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4 the second axis A2 is always contained in the horizontal plane XY, but this is not an obligation.

[0063] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the first BPI and second BP2 arms may be rectilinear rigid rods which are fixedly secured to the main part of the second interface part PI2. These first BPI and second BP2 arms may be an integral part of the second interface part PI2 or may be parts added to the second interface part PI2, for example by screwing or clipping.

[0064] But in the absence of first PII and second PI2 interface parts, the first BPI and second BP2 arms are directly coupled to the rear face of the receiving part PR. In this case, the first BPI and second BP2 arms may be an integral part of the receiving part PR or may be parts added to the rear face of the receiving part PR, for example by screwing or clipping. It will be noted that in the case of a ratio, it is possible to envisage a rotational coupling on the rear face of the receiving part PR.

[0065] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 to 4, the DS support device may also comprise an open BD box (at least on a front face), and suitable for being fixedly secured to the EV equipment (here a dashboard). For example, such a BD box may be fixedly installed, at least partially, in a dedicated housing defined in the EV equipment (here a dashboard). But this BD box could be fixedly secured to a front or upper face of the EV equipment (here a dashboard).

[0066] Furthermore, this housing BD defines an internal space El in which the arms BPj are partly housed, and in which the two cam paths CCj are fixedly installed.

[0067] But we could do without a BD box. In this case, the EV equipment (here a dashboard) must include a dedicated housing (or location) in which the two cam paths CCj are fixedly installed. For example, this housing (or location) can be the one that can accommodate a car radio (sometimes called an “ISO location for car radio”).

[0068] It will also be noted that the constrained movements of the free ends ELj of the arms BPj in the cam paths CCj can possibly be slowed down in order to better guarantee the maintenance of the receiving part PR in the spatial orientation chosen by the user.

[0069] It will also be noted that the actuation of the support device DS by a user can be done manually and / or by means of at least one control member (such as for example a lever (or "joystick")) coupled to at least one electric motor capable of ensuring at least one of the two rotations around the first A1 and second A2 axes and / or the constrained movements of the free ends ELj of the arms BPj in the cam paths CCj.

Claims

Claims

1. Support device (DS) suitable for equipping equipment (EV) of a vehicle interior (V) and comprising a receiving part (PR) having a front face (FV2) suitable for receiving an object, characterized in that it further comprises i) two arms (BPj) coupled to said receiving part (PR) and each comprising a free end (ELj), and ii) two cam paths (CCj) suitable for being coupled to said equipment (EV) while being offset, having different curvilinear shapes, and in which said free ends (ELj) can move, in order to allow placement of said receiving part (PR) in multiple spatial orientations.

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said arms (BPj) have different lengths.

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a first interface part (PII) on which said receiving part (PR) is rotatably mounted around a first axis (Al) and rotatably mounted around a second axis (A2) on a second interface part (PI2) to which said arms (BPj) are coupled.

4. Support device according to claim 3, characterized in that said second axis (A2) is perpendicular to said first axis (Al).

5. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a housing (BD) suitable for being fixedly secured to said equipment (EV), and defining an internal space (El) in which said cam paths (CCj) are fixedly installed.

6. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said front face (FV2) of the receiving part (PR) comprises a concave space (EC) suitable for receiving said object.

7. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said receiving part (PR) is suitable for receiving a display screen.

8. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said receiving part (PR) is suitable for receiving a mobile telephone or an electronic tablet or a navigation aid device.

9. Vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H), characterized in that said passenger compartment (H) comprises at least one piece of equipment (EV) comprising at least one support device (DS) according to one of the preceding claims- previous.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said equipment (EV) is a dashboard.

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