Adjustable support for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a swiveling support (1) comprising a base (11) and a mounting plate (12) forming a pivot joint allowing rotation of said mounting plate (12) about an axis of rotation, the mounting plate (12) being intended to allow the removable attachment of a portable electronic device (2), at least one first magnet (13) associated with the base (11) and a second magnet (14) associated with the mounting plate (12), and a control device (15) configured to modify the magnetization of at least one first magnet (13) relative to that of the second magnet (14), so as to generate a rotation of the mounting plate (12) about the axis of rotation. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Adjustable support for motor vehicles

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of adjustable mounts for motor vehicles, allowing a portable device, such as a mobile phone, to be oriented in a plurality of different angular orientations. More particularly, the invention relates to such an adjustable mount, as well as to a method for controlling such an adjustable mount.

[0002] An increasing number of portable electronic devices with a wide range of functions are available to motor vehicle drivers. In particular, devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, or navigation systems can, for example, help a driver plan a route, inform them about traffic conditions, or assist them in driving their vehicle. Such electronic devices are controlled, for example, by means of a touchscreen. Therefore, such electronic devices must be accessible to the driver without requiring them to physically handle the device.

[0003] In the prior art, a known support device for the electronic device is located near the driver, for example on the dashboard of the motor vehicle, in order to hold the device while leaving the screen unobstructed so that it can be operated without touching it. Such a known support device generally comprises a rigid frame into which the electronic device is fitted to ensure its retention. Alternatively, the electronic device is arranged in a support frame and locking means, or other means, ensure that it is held in the frame.

[0004] A known drawback of such support devices lies in the presence of the rigid frame, which limits the size of the electronic device that can be accommodated within it. Therefore, known support devices are not suitable for use with multiple models of electronic devices. Conversely, each known support device corresponds to a specific model of electronic device, leading a user to change support devices when changing electronic device models.

[0005] Adjustable support devices are also known, allowing the support device to be adapted to the size of the electronic device to which it is attached. However, such known support devices are generally complex, expensive, and impractical to use.

[0006] Furthermore, a common drawback of all known support devices lies in their insufficient stability and robustness, as well as their weight and cost too important. In addition, their ergonomics are often insufficient, and it is not easy to easily and quickly change the angular orientation of the associated electronic device, for example to switch from portrait mode to landscape mode - or vice versa.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a new orientable support in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the orientation of an electronic device using such an orientable support.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to improve the robustness and reliability of such an adjustable support.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to improve and reduce friction and operating noise of such an adjustable support.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an adjustable support for a motor vehicle, the adjustable support comprising

[0012] - a base intended to be integral with a vehicle dashboard assembly automobile;

[0013] - a mounting plate attached to the base by means of a pivot joint allowing the rotation of said wall light relative to the base around an axis of rotation, the wall light being intended to allow the removable attachment of a portable device to said wall light;

[0014] - at least one first magnet associated with the base;

[0015] - a second magnet associated with the wall plate, at least one first magnet and the second magnet each being in their respective magnetic field.

[0016] According to the invention, the orientable support includes a control device configured to modify a magnetization of at least one first magnet relative to that of the second magnet, so as to generate a rotation of the wall light with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the base forms a chassis for the adjustable support. The base is associated with the mounting bracket so as to form a pivot joint. Thus, the base and the mounting bracket have complementary shapes and dimensions to form said pivot joint and allow rotation between them around the axis of rotation. The base is made of a plastic or metallic material, for example. In the context of the present invention, the base is static. The base is intended to be temporarily attached, i.e., detachable, to a dashboard of the motor vehicle; for this purpose, the base includes, for example, means for temporary attachment to the dashboard, such as clips. or clips, or even lugs allowing the base to be attached to a protruding shape or cavity in the dashboard.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the bracket forms a movable element relative to the base, and in particular, or even exclusively, rotates around the axis of rotation. The bracket is preferably made of the same material as the base. For example, the bracket is made of plastic or metal. As mentioned previously, the bracket is attached to the base but retains at least one degree of freedom corresponding to its rotation around the axis of rotation. The bracket is intended to allow the temporary and detachable attachment of an electronic device. To this end, the bracket includes a support surface for such an electronic device. In the context of the present invention, the electronic device is understood to mean, for example, a mobile phone or a tablet. The bracket includes means for temporarily attaching the electronic device to the support surface, such as, for example, clips or staples, or even tabs..

[0019] In the context of the present invention, an angular orientation between the wall plate and the base is controlled by at least one first magnet and by the second magnet. In other words, the magnetization of each at least one first magnet and of the second magnet makes it possible to generate a magnetic field that constrains a given angular orientation.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the control device allows the angular orientation of the wall light to be controlled relative to the base and the axis of rotation, so as to be able, for example, to switch the electronic device associated with the wall light from portrait to landscape mode and vice versa. Of course, in the context of the invention, the angular amplitude of rotation around the axis of rotation is defined by the geometry of the base and the associated wall light. The control device acts on at least one first magnet and / or the second magnet in order to modify the magnetic field(s) created and, consequently, generate a magnetic force that leads to a relative rotational movement between the base and the wall light.

[0021] Thus, the orientable support conforming to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to facilitate the orientation of an electronic device, while offering a more flexible and smoother movement, easily controllable using at least one first magnet and the second magnet.

[0022] The adjustable support according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0023] - according to a first embodiment, at least one first magnet is of the type of a permanent magnet and the second magnet is of the electromagnet type, the control device comprising an electrical device for controlling an electric current through the electromagnet. Alternatively, according to a second preferred embodiment, at least one first magnet is of the type of an electromagnet and the second magnet is of the type of a permanent magnet, the control device comprising an electrical device for controlling an electric current through each at least one electromagnet;

[0024] - the second magnet is fixed securely to the wall plate. The second magnet is by example glued onto the wall light, or set into a conformation of the wall light;

[0025] - at least one first magnet is fixed securely to the base. Each at least a first magnet is for example glued onto the base, or crimped into a conformation of the base;

[0026] - at least a first magnet comprises a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet, the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet being located at two different angular positions with respect to the axis of rotation. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to attract the magnet associated with the wall light towards two angular positions - occupied respectively by the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet - and allowing the wall light to be oriented in a plurality of different angular orientations between these;

[0027] - according to an advantageous embodiment, the first electromagnet and the second The electromagnets are located at 90° to each other, relative to the axis of rotation. This advantageous configuration allows easy switching from portrait to landscape mode, by attracting the second magnet associated with the fixture towards one or the other of the electromagnets forming at least one first magnet;

[0028] - the base includes a first stop defining a first orientation angular for the application with respect to the axis of rotation, and a second stop defining a second angular orientation for the application with respect to the axis of rotation, the first electromagnet being associated with the first stop and the second electromagnet being associated with the second stop;

[0029] - the first electromagnet has a polarization opposite to that of the second electromagnet. This advantageous configuration allows for the generation of a directed magnetic force between the first and second electromagnets, causing the second electromagnet to move towards either the first or second electromagnet. Specifically, the electrical device forming the control system is configured to drive the first and second electromagnets in opposite phases.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for controlling an adjustable support is proposed, conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements, the control method being implemented by the device of control and comprising an electrical polarization step of the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet, so as to generate a magnetic field leading to attracting the permanent magnet attached to the wall light towards the first magnet and generating a rotation of the wall light with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a dashboard having an adjustable support conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any one of its improvements.

[0032] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0034] [Fig.1] illustrates a schematic profile view of the orientable support conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.2] illustrates a front view of the swiveling support shown in [Fig.1] in a first angular orientation;

[0036] [Fig.3] illustrates a front view of the swiveling support shown in [Fig.1] in a second angular orientation;

[0037] [Fig.4] illustrates a front view of the swiveling support shown in [Fig.1] in a third angular orientation.

[0038] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0039] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0040] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0041] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 4, the invention relates to an adjustable support 1 for a motor vehicle, the adjustable support 1 comprising:

[0042] - a base 11 intended to be integral with a dashboard assembly of the motor vehicle;

[0043] - a mounting bracket 12 fixed to the base 11 by means of a pivot joint tormenting the rotation of said applique 12 vis-à-vis the base 11 around an axis of rotation 01, the applique 12 being intended to allow the removable attachment of a portable electronic device 2 on said applique 12;

[0044] - at least one first magnet 13 associated with the base 11;

[0045] - a second magnet 14 associated with the appliqué 12, at least one first magnet 13 and the second magnet 14 each being in their respective magnetic field;

[0046] - a control device 15 configured to modify a magnetization of at least a first magnet 13 relative to that of the second magnet 14, so as to generate a rotation of the applique 12 with respect to the axis of rotation 01.

[0047] The base 11 and the bracket 12 are engaged with each other by means of complementary shapes, so as to allow the relative rotation of the bracket 12 with respect to the base 11 and with respect to the axis of rotation 01. The base 11 forms a support on the dashboard of the motor vehicle, by means of fastening means not shown in the FIGURES. Similarly, the bracket 12 forms a contact surface for the portable electronic device 2, so as to ultimately be able to connect it to the dashboard by means of a pivot joint controlled by the control device 15 and animated by a rotational movement about the axis of rotation 01 controllable by means of the control device 15.

[0048] To this end, the at least first magnet 13 associated with the base 11 is of the electromagnet type; and the second magnet 14 associated with the bracket 12 is of the permanent magnet type. Preferably, in the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURES, the at least first magnet 13 comprises a first electromagnet 131 and a second electromagnet 132, the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 being located at two different angular positions with respect to the axis of rotation 01.

[0049] In particular, the permanent magnet forming the second magnet 14 is for example of the type having a negative magnetization; while the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 always have opposite magnetizations so as to create a magnetic force directed between them.

[0050] This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to attract the magnet associated with the bracket 12 to two angular positions—occupied respectively by the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132—and to orient the bracket 12 in a plurality of different angular orientations between these positions. In particular, in the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the electronic device 2 associated with the bracket 12 is oriented according to a first angular orientation with respect to the axis of rotation 01, so that said electronic device 2 is presented in landscape mode. Conversely, in the example illustrated in [Fig. 4], the electronic device 2 associated with the wall-mounted unit 12 is oriented according to a second angular orientation with respect to the rotation axis 01, so that the electronic device 2 is presented in portrait mode. Finally, [Fig. 3] illustrates an angular orientation intermediate between that shown in [Fig. 2] and that shown in [Fig. 4].

[0051] To allow easy and controlled rotation between the two angular configurations illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4, the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 are each located at 90° to each other, relative to the axis of rotation 01. In addition, the base 11 has a first stop 121 defining a first angular orientation for the bracket 12 with respect to the axis of rotation 01, and a second stop 121 defining a second angular orientation for the bracket 12 with respect to the axis of rotation 01, the first electromagnet 131 being associated with the first stop 121 and the second electromagnet 132 being associated with the second stop 121. By associated, it is understood here that the first electromagnet 131 is located near the first stop 121, and that the second electromagnet 132 is located near the second stop 121.

[0052] In order to generate the displacement of the second magnet 14 - and therefore of the applique 12 - in the direction of one or the other of the first electromagnet 131 or of the second electromagnet 132, the first electromagnet 131 has a polarization opposite to that of the second electromagnet 132. In particular, the electrical device forming the control device 15 is configured to drive in opposite phase the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132.

[0053] Thus, considering that the second magnet 14 is a permanent magnet of the negative magnetic pole type, in the angular configuration illustrated in [Fig. 2], the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 are driven by the electrical device forming the control device 15 so that the first electromagnet 131 forms a negative magnetic pole and the second electromagnet 132 forms a positive magnetic pole. Therefore, the permanent magnet associated with the wall plate 12 is attracted by the second electromagnet 132 and rotates the electronic device 2 in the landscape angular configuration illustrated in [Fig. 2]. In addition, the electronic device 2 is kept in this orientation due to the polarization of the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 on the one hand, but also by the placement of the applique 12 near the second electromagnet 132, against the corresponding stop 121.

[0054] Conversely, in the angular configuration illustrated in [Fig. 4], the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 are driven by the electrical device forming the control device 15 so that the first electromagnet 131 forms a positive magnetic pole and the second electromagnet 132 forms a negative magnetic pole. Thus, the permanent magnet associated with the wall plate 12 is now attracted by the first electromagnet 131 and rotates the electronic device 2 into the angular portrait configuration illustrated in [Fig.4]. In addition, the electronic device 2 is held in this orientation due to the polarization of the first electromagnet 131 and the second electromagnet 132 on the one hand, but also by the placement of the applique 12 near the first electromagnet 131, against the corresponding stop 121.

[0055] More generally, the control device 15 generates or controls an electric current in the direction of the first electromagnet 131 or the second electromagnet 132, so as to control their magnetic polarization and, in effect, to direct a magnetic force between them in the direction which allows control of a direction of rotation necessary for the desired movement of the applique 12 and the associated electronic device 2.

[0056] By way of non-limiting example, the control device 15 includes, for example, an electrical device comprising a switching device and diodes allowing current to be allowed to flow to either the first electromagnet 131 or the second electromagnet 132, depending on the desired angular orientation for the electronic device 2.

[0057] In summary, the invention relates to a swiveling support 1 comprising a base 11 and an applique 12 forming together a pivot joint allowing the rotation of said applique 12 around an axis of rotation 01, the applique 12 being intended to allow the removable attachment of a portable electronic device 2, at least a first magnet 13 associated with the base 11 and a second magnet 14 associated with the applique 12, and a control device 15 configured to modify a magnetization of at least a first magnet 13 relative to that of the second magnet 14, so as to generate a rotation of the applique 12 around the axis of rotation 01.

[0058] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Claims

1. Adjustable support (1) for a motor vehicle, the adjustable support (1) comprising: - a base (11) intended to be secured to a dashboard assembly of the motor vehicle; - an application (12) secured to the base (11) by means of a pivot connection allowing the rotation of said application (12) with respect to the base (11) around an axis of rotation (01), the application (12) being intended to allow the removable attachment of a portable device on said application (12); - at least one first magnet (13) associated with the base (11); - a second magnet (14) associated with the application (12), the at least one first magnet (13) and the second magnet (14) each being in their respective magnetic field;characterized in that the orientable support (1) comprises a control device (15) configured to modify a magnetization of the at least one first magnet (13) relative to that of the second magnet (14), so as to generate a rotation of the wall light (12) with respect to the axis of rotation (01).;

2. Adjustable support (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one first magnet (13) is of the electromagnet type and the second magnet (14) is of the permanent magnet type, the control device (15) comprising an electrical device making it possible to control an electric current passing through each at least one electromagnet.

3. Orientable support (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one first magnet (13) comprises a first electromagnet (131) and a second electromagnet (132), the first electromagnet (131) and the second electromagnet (132) being located at two different angular positions with respect to the axis of rotation (01).

4. Adjustable support (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first electromagnet (131) and the second electromagnet (132) are located at 90° to each other, relative to the axis of rotation (01).

5. Adjustable support (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, in which the base (11) comprises a first stop (121) defining a first angular orientation for the bracket (12) with respect to the axis of rotation (01), and a second stop (121) de- ending a second angular orientation for the applique (12) with respect to the axis of rotation (01), the first electromagnet (131) being associated with the first stop (121) and the second electromagnet (132) being associated with the second stop (121).

6. An orientable support (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first electromagnet (131) has a polarization opposite to that of the second electromagnet (132).

7. Adjustable support (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the electrical device forming the control device (15) is configured to control in phase opposition the first electromagnet (131) and the second electromagnet (132).

8. Method for controlling an orientable support (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, the control method being implemented by the control device (15) and comprising a step of electrical polarization of the first electromagnet (131) and of the second electromagnet (132), so as to generate a magnetic field leading to the attraction of the permanent magnet secured to the bracket (12) in the direction of the first magnet (13) and to generate a rotation of the bracket (12) with respect to the axis of rotation (01).

9. Motor vehicle comprising a dashboard comprising an adjustable support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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