MOTORIZED OBJECT SUPPORT DEVICE WITH TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A support device (DS) equips equipment in a vehicle passenger compartment and comprises: - a receiving part (PR) to which an object (O) is secured and comprising a rear face (FR1) to which a rod (TR) provided with a ball (B) is fixedly secured, and - an interface part (PI) fixedly secured to the equipment, on which the ball (B) is mounted for rotation in a ball joint connection, and crossed by two screws (V1-V2) each having a first end (E11, E12) coupled to this rear face (FR1) and a second end suitable for being driven in rotation by an associated electric motor to cause rotation of the receiving part (PR) around an associated direction. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AN OBJECT WITH MOTORIZED ORIENTATION IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, FOR A VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to support devices which are intended to equip vehicle interiors and to which objects can be secured. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, may include in a (their) passenger compartment a support device to which an object that may be transported by a user is secured. As an illustrative example, when the vehicle includes a dashboard, the latter may serve as an anchoring point for a support device to which a display screen or temporarily a mobile telephone or a navigation aid device is fixedly secured.

[0003] Known support devices may be of different types and may allow multiple or specific orientations. Thus, they may, for example, comprise a receiving part which is rotatably mounted on a ball fixed to the end of a rod fixedly secured to a piece of vehicle equipment. However, such an arrangement proves unsuitable for supporting a relatively heavy and bulky object, such as a display screen, and only allows manual orientation by action of a user on the object.

[0004] Alternatively, they may comprise two pairs of connecting rods, right and left, mounted for rotation on a piece of equipment of the vehicle while being placed at different heights, and to which is coupled for rotation a receiving part suitable for receiving an object to be held. This variant makes it possible to integrate, possibly completely, the receiving 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. A first disadvantage of this variant lies in the fact that its receiving part cannot be subject to a spatial orientation 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 for example with a mobile phone (possibly a smart phone (or "smartphone")), it is difficult for a user who is not installed directly in front of him to see what is displayed on his display screen, and therefore interactions with the latter can be dangerous when carried out by the driver of the vehicle. A second disadvantage of this variant lies in the fact that once the support device is deployed, its two pairs of connecting rods are . visible and therefore unsightly, and that an accidental blow to the receiving part can twist the connecting rods and make them at least partially unusable.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a support device suitable for equipping equipment in a vehicle passenger compartment and comprising a receiving part to which an object is suitable for being secured.

[0007] This support device is characterized by the fact:

[0008] - that its receiving part comprises a rear face to which is secured fixedly a rod equipped with a ball, and

[0009] - that it further comprises an interface part suitable for being fixedly secured to the equipment, on which the ball is mounted to rotate in a ball joint connection, and crossed by two screws each having a first end coupled to the rear face of the receiving part and a second end suitable for being driven in rotation by an associated electric motor to cause rotation of the receiving part around an associated direction.

[0010] Thanks to this rotational coupling of the receiving part relative to the interface part, the receiving part is constrained to be driven in rotation only in first and second directions during the respective screwings of the first and second screws caused by the associated first and second electric motors, which advantageously allows it to be oriented simply and easily in space.

[0011] The support device according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0012] - it may comprise a first screw installed in a first plane containing an axial direction of the rod and suitable for causing a rotation of the receiving part around a first direction perpendicular to this first plane, and a second screw installed in a second plane, containing this axial direction of the rod and perpendicular to the first plane, and suitable for causing a rotation of the receiving part around a second direction perpendicular to this second plane and to this first direction;

[0013] - in the presence of the first option, the second direction may be intended to be parallel to a vertical direction of the vehicle, and the first direction may be intended to be parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle;

[0014] - in the presence of the last sub-option, the first plan can be intended to be parallel to a plane containing the vertical direction of the vehicle and a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the second plane may be intended to be parallel to a plane containing the transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle;

[0015] - its interface part may comprise a substantially semi-spherical housing opening onto a front face oriented towards the rear face of the receiving part and in which the ball is rotatably mounted;

[0016] - its interface part may be suitable for being fixedly secured to the equipment by at least two fixing screws;

[0017] - its receiving part may be suitable for being fixedly secured to the object by at least least two fixing screws.

[0018] 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.

[0019] For example, this equipment can be a dashboard.

[0020] Also for example, this vehicle may also comprise an object having a rear face fixedly secured to the receiving part of the support device. For example, this object may be a display screen. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0022] [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 to which an object is secured, and

[0023] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, a part of an exemplary embodiment of a support device according to the invention, to which a display screen is fixedly secured, and an insert comprising an enlarged part of this support device. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] 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 to which an object O is capable of being secured and allowing motorized orientation of the latter (O) in two different directions (possibly perpendicular).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 seat), or a side door trim, for example.

[0027] In Figures 1 and 2, 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 X and transverse Y directions.

[0028] In the above and the following, the notions of "front" and "rear" are defined in relation to the users (here intended to be 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) of the vehicle V and opposite the front face.

[0029] [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 support device DS according to the invention. It will be noted that in this illustrative example the support device DS is fixedly secured in an internal housing (not visible) of the EV equipment (here a dashboard) and extends a little beyond the front face FV1 of the EV equipment so that the object O which is secured to it (DS) can be used by the front passengers seated on the front seats. In this arrangement, the object O therefore has a front face FV3 which is oriented towards the front seats.

[0030] It will be noted that the object O can be coupled to the support device DS in a durable (or even permanent) manner or temporarily. In the first alternative it can, for example, be a display screen forming part of a display device of the vehicle V or a display device with a display screen (such as for example a central instrument panel). In the second alternative it can, for example, be a mobile telephone (possibly of the “smartphone” type) or an electronic tablet or even a navigation aid device.

[0031] Furthermore, it will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1] the dashboard EV comprises only a single support device DS approximately centered on the median plane of the passenger compartment H of the vehicle V. But the dashboard EV could comprise several (at least two) support devices DS.

[0032] As illustrated at least partially in [Fig.2], a support device DS, according to the invention, comprises at least one receiving part PR to which an object O is capable of being secured, an interface part PI capable of being fixedly secured to an EV equipment (here a dashboard), and two electric motors (not illustrated).

[0033] The receiving part PR comprises a front face to which the face of an object O is suitable for being secured (for example at its rear face FR2). Furthermore, the receiving part PR comprises a rear face FRI, opposite its front face (and therefore intended to be oriented towards the equipment EV), and to which a rod TR provided with a ball B is fixedly secured. It will be noted that this rod TR is possibly very short in order to be as invisible as possible, as illustrated in the circled insert of [Fig. 2]. But its length can be adapted to the needs, and in particular here to the shape of the area of ​​the equipment EV where it must be installed and / or to the dimensions of the object O to be secured to the receiving part PR.

[0034] It will be noted that the ball B preferably has at least a semi-spherical shape, as illustrated in the circled insert of [Fig.2]. But other slightly less spherical shapes (and for example ovoid or ogive) can be used.

[0035] The ball B is mounted to rotate in a ball joint connection on the interface part PL. Furthermore, the interface part PI is crossed by two adjustment screws Vj (j = 1 or 2) each having first Elj and second ends. The interface part PI therefore comprises two through holes each provided with an internal thread allowing the screwing / unscrewing of the associated screw Vj.

[0036] Each first end Elj of an adjustment screw Vj is coupled to the rear face FRI of the receiving part PR, for example at a dedicated orifice in which it rotates in a vacuum (without translation). Each second end of an adjustment screw Vj is capable of being driven in rotation by an associated electric motor to cause a rotation of the receiving part PR around an associated direction.

[0037] It will be understood that the rotation of the first screw V1 (j = 1), relative to the interface part PI and by the first electric motor, causes a rotation of the receiving part PR around a first associated direction, and the rotation of the second screw V2 (j = 2), relative to the interface part PI and by the second electric motor, causes a rotation of the receiving part PR around a second associated direction, different from the first direction and preferably perpendicular to the latter.

[0038] It is the rotational coupling (in ball joint connection) of the receiving part PR relative to the interface part PI, via the ball B, which advantageously constrains the receiving part PR to be driven in rotation only in the first and second directions during the respective screwings of the first VI and second V2 screws caused by the first and second electric motors. This advantageously makes it possible to simply and easily orient the receiving part PR in space (and therefore also the object O which is secured to the latter (PR)).

[0039] It will be noted that the first and second electric motors are fixedly secured to the EV equipment in a housing where they are invisible, because they are located behind the PI interface part which is also fixedly secured to the EV equipment.

[0040] Furthermore, these first and second electric motors are controlled by at least one control member OC which can be manually actuated (here) by the front passengers of the vehicle V. In the case of a single control member OC (case illustrated in [Fig.l]), it may be a joystick type lever, for example. In the case of first and second independent control members, it may be two buttons with two action zones dedicated respectively to two different directions of movement of the same direction. Each control member OC may, for example, be installed on the front face FV1 of the equipment below the support device DS (and therefore the object O), as illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0041] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the first screw VI can be installed along a first axis al in a first plane containing the axial direction AT of the rod TR, and in this case it is capable of causing a rotation of the receiving part PR around a first direction which is perpendicular to this first plane. The first axis al is therefore parallel to the axial direction AT of the rod TR. Similarly, the second screw V2 can be installed along a second axis a2 in a second plane, containing the axial direction AT of the rod TR and perpendicular to the first plane, and in this case it is capable of causing a rotation of the receiving part PR around a second direction which is perpendicular to the second plane and to the first direction. The second axis a2 is therefore parallel to the axial direction AT of the rod TR.

[0042] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the second direction may be intended to be parallel to the vertical direction Z, and the first direction may be intended to be parallel to the transverse direction Y. Such an arrangement allows control of the orientation of the receiving part PR upwards or downwards and to the right or left.

[0043] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the first plane may be intended to be parallel to a plane XZ containing the vertical Z and longitudinal X directions, and the second plane may be intended to be parallel to a plane XY containing the transverse Y and longitudinal X directions.

[0044] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], the interface part PI may comprise a substantially semi-spherical housing LB, opening onto its front face FV2, oriented towards the rear face FRI of the part receiving part PR, and in which the ball B is rotatably mounted. The expression "substantially semi-spherical" here means perfectly semi-spherical or almost semi-spherical. For example, the material from which the interface part PI is made may be slightly flexible in order to allow a force fit of the ball B (with rotation capacity) in its housing LB. But in an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the housing LB could be defined in a dedicated part and fixedly attached to the front face FV2 of the interface part PL

[0045] Also for example, and although this does not appear in [Fig.2], the interface part PI may be suitable for being fixedly secured to the EV equipment by at least two fixing screws. Preferably, three or four fixing screws will be used in order to guarantee high-precision anchoring and / or when the object O supported is relatively heavy.

[0046] Also for example, and although this does not appear in [Fig. 2], the receiving part PR may be suitable for being fixedly secured to the object O by at least two fixing screws. Preferably, three, or even four, fixing screws will be used in order to guarantee high-precision fixing and / or when the object O supported is relatively heavy. But in an alternative embodiment, the coupling between the receiving part PR and the object O could be done by gluing or clipping. Clipping is particularly advantageous when the object O is transportable by a user of the vehicle V, and is therefore coupled temporarily and not permanently (or even permanently) to the support device DS.

[0047] It will also be noted that the rod TR can be attached, for example by gluing or welding, to the rear face FRI of the receiving part PR, or can be an integral part of the receiving part PR, in particular when the latter (PR) is produced by molding.

Claims

Claims

1. Support device (DS) suitable for equipping equipment (EV) of a passenger compartment (H) of a vehicle (V) and comprising a receiving part (PR) to which an object (0) is suitable for being secured, characterized in that said receiving part (PR) comprises a rear face (FRI) to which a rod (TR) provided with a ball (B) is fixedly secured, and in that it further comprises an interface part (PI) suitable for being fixedly secured to said equipment (EV), on which said ball (B) is mounted for rotation in a ball joint connection, and crossed by two screws (Vj) each having a first end (Elj) coupled to said rear face (FRI) and a second end suitable for being driven in rotation by an associated electric motor to cause rotation of said receiving part (PR) around an associated direction.

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first screw (VI) installed in a first plane containing an axial direction of said rod (TR) and capable of causing a rotation of said receiving part (PR) around a first direction perpendicular to said first plane, and a second screw (V2) installed in a second plane, containing said axial direction of the rod (TR) and perpendicular to said first plane, and capable of causing a rotation of said receiving part (PR) around a second direction perpendicular to said second plane and to said first direction.

3. Support device according to claim 2, characterized in that said second direction is intended to be parallel to a vertical direction of said vehicle (V), and said first direction is intended to be parallel to a transverse direction of said vehicle (V).

4. Support device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first plane is intended to be parallel to a plane containing said vertical direction of the vehicle (V) and a longitudinal direction of said vehicle (V), and said second plane is intended to be parallel to a plane containing said transverse and longitudinal directions of the vehicle (V).

5. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said interface part (PI) comprises a substantially semi-spherical housing (LB) opening onto a front face (FV2) oriented towards said rear face (FRI) of said receiving part (PR) and in which said ball (B) is rotatably mounted.

6. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said interface part (PI) is suitable for being fixedly secured to said equipment (EV) by at least two fixing screws.

7. Support device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said receiving part (PR) is suitable for being fixedly secured to said object (0) by at least two fixing screws.

8. 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.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises an object (0) having a rear face (FR2) fixedly secured to said receiving part (PR) of the support device (DS).

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said object (0) is a display screen.

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