OBJECT SUPPORT DEVICE WITH AN ELECTRICALLY ROTATED ARM AROUND AT LEAST ONE DIRECTION, FOR EQUIPMENT

Abstract

A support device (SD) equips a piece of equipment and comprises: - an arm (BE) having a first end (E1) rotationally coupled to a base (ED) and a second end (E2) adapted to receive an object, and - a first electrical mechanism (M1) adapted to translate relative to the base (ED), along a first direction, a support piece (PS) supporting an intermediate part (PI) of the arm (BE) at least in certain positions of the latter, to rotate the arm (BE) around a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, between first and second extreme positions. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: OBJECT SUPPORT DEVICE WITH AN ELECTRICALLY ROTATED ARM AROUND AT LEAST ONE DIRECTION, FOR EQUIPMENT Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to support devices intended to equip equipment that may be part of systems and that may receive an object. Prior art

[0002] Certain systems, such as certain vehicles (possibly automobiles), may include in their passenger compartment a support device to which an object that can be carried by a user is attached. By way of illustration, when the system is a vehicle comprising a dashboard, the latter may serve as an anchor point for a support device to which a display screen is permanently attached, or a mobile phone or navigation device is temporarily attached.

[0003] Some of these support devices comprise a base fixedly attached to a piece of equipment, possibly in a dedicated housing, and an arm comprising a first end coupled for rotation to this base and a second end adapted to receive an object, possibly via an interface piece. Currently, the rotation of the arm is driven non-motorically around a direction that is generally vertical and allows it to be placed in an angular position chosen by a user's manual action.

[0004] A drawback of this type of support device is that, when the equipment is subjected to a force in a transverse direction (perpendicular to the vertical direction), for example, when cornering or changing direction when mounted on a vehicle, the arm frequently fails to remain in the angular position chosen by the user, even when the arm rotates relative to the base under friction. This forces the user to reposition the arm after each change of position, which can be inconvenient (potentially dangerous) and / or detract from the perceived quality of the vehicle. Furthermore, when the equipment is subjected to vibrations, these vibrations can cause the arm to jump slightly, and when it contacts the base, this produces noise that can disturb the user and / or detract from the perceived quality of the vehicle.

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

[0006] It proposes in particular for this purpose a support device suitable for equipping equipment and comprising a base and an arm comprising a first end coupled for rotation to this base and a second end suitable for receiving an object.

[0007] This support device is characterized by the fact that it also includes a first electrical mechanism adapted to translate relative to the base, along a first direction, a support piece supporting an intermediate part of the arm at least in certain positions of the latter, to drive the arm in rotation around a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, between first and second extreme positions.

[0008] The first mechanism being electric, once the arm is placed in a chosen angular position, the support piece is immobilized in this chosen angular position and therefore holds the arm in the latter, which avoids having to reposition the arm and vibrations causing small jumps of the arm.

[0009] The support device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0010] - it may also include a ball joint coupled to the first end of the arm and at the base to allow the arm to rotate around the second direction;

[0011] - its support piece can be mounted for free rotation on a first piece of coupling of the first mechanism which is translatable along the first direction;

[0012] - its arm can be extended between minimum and maximum lengths. By for example, its arm may be of the telescopic type;

[0013] - the first mechanism may include a first electric motor specific to drive in rotation around the first direction a first worm screw to which the support piece is coupled;

[0014] - in the presence of at least the last option, the first coupling piece can be screwed onto the first worm screw;

[0015] - it may also include a second electrical mechanism suitable for translating by relative to the base, along the second direction, a second coupling piece to which the arm is coupled at least in the first extreme position, to drive the arm in rotation around the first direction between third and fourth extreme positions;

[0016] - in the presence of the last option, the second mechanism may include a second an electric motor designed to drive in rotation around the second direction a second worm screw onto which the second coupling piece is screwed.

[0017] The invention also proposes a system comprising at least one piece of equipment including at least one support device of the type presented above.

[0018] For example, this system may constitute a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and the equipment may be a dashboard. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0020] [Fig. 1] 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 including a support device according to the invention placed in a first extreme position,

[0021] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view on the front side, an example of an embodiment of a support device according to the invention, placed in its first extreme position and before it is attached to a piece of equipment of a system, and a left inset showing (in transparency) the second coupling piece coupled to the second mechanism and the arm in the first extreme position, and a right inset showing (in transparency) the arm coupled to the support piece coupled to the first mechanism in the first extreme position,

[0022] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view On the front side, the support device of [Fig. 2], placed in its second extreme position and before it is attached to a component of a system, and a left insert containing the ball joint, and a right insert containing the support piece coupled to the first mechanism, and

[0023] [Fig.4] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a perspective view on the rear side, the support device of [Fig.2], placed in its fourth extreme position and before it is attached to a piece of equipment of a system, and a straight insert containing the second coupling piece coupled to the second mechanism and the arm in the third extreme position. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] The invention aims in particular to provide a support device DS intended to equip equipment ES, and comprising an arm BE that can be driven in rotation around at least one direction by at least one first electrical mechanism M1, in order to allow positioning of this arm BE in a precise and permanent chosen position.

[0025] In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the ES equipment is intended to be part of an S system. But this is not an obligation.

[0026] Furthermore, in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, system S is considered to be a motor vehicle, and more specifically a car, as illustrated non-limitingly and partially in [Fig. 1]. But equipment ES can be part of any system S, and in particular of a vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air), a device (possibly consumer), an installation (possibly industrial), or a building.

[0027] Furthermore, in view of the preceding choices, the following is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be the ES equipment being a dashboard of an S vehicle. But within an S vehicle the ES equipment could also be a console, a seat back (or bench seat), or a side door trim, for example.

[0028] In figures 1 to 4, the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle S, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle S, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle S, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0029] In the preceding and following text, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined in relation to the occupants (here seated in the front seats of the vehicle S). Consequently, the front face of an element is oriented towards the occupants (and therefore here towards the passenger compartment H), while the rear face of this element is oriented towards the front compartment (engine) and opposite to the front face.

[0030] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a portion of a system S (here, a car) comprising a passenger compartment H including equipment ES (here, a dashboard) with a support device DS according to the invention. It should be noted that in this illustrative example, the support device DS is fixedly attached to the equipment ES (here, a dashboard) and is partially visible in front of the front passenger seats, so that it can be used by them. Furthermore, it should be noted that in the example illustrated in Figure 1, the dashboard ES includes only one support device DS. However, the dashboard ES could include several (at least two) support devices DS.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, a support device DS, according to the invention, comprises at least a base ED, a (rigid) arm BE, a first mechanism M1 and a support piece PS.

[0032] The ED base is intended to be permanently attached to the ES equipment (here, a dashboard), for example by screwing and / or clipping. For example, the ES equipment may have a dedicated housing on its front face FV1 (facing the front seats) inside which the ED base is permanently installed. But in an alternative embodiment, the ED base could be intended to be permanently attached to the face before FV1 or a top face of the ES equipment.

[0033] The (rigid) arm BE comprises first El and second E2 with opposite ends. The first end El is rotationally coupled to the base ED (see Figures 3 and 4). The second end E2 is designed to receive an object O, possibly via an interface piece (optionally rotatably mounted) (see [Fig. 1]).

[0034] For example, object O may be a display screen forming part of a display device of system S (here, a vehicle), or it may constitute such a display device itself (sometimes called the central unit in a vehicle). But object O may also be portable by a user of system S. In this case, it may constitute a mobile phone (possibly a "smartphone") or an electronic tablet, or even a navigation aid device, for example.

[0035] The support piece PS is responsible for supporting an intermediate part PI of the arm BE at least in certain positions of the latter (BE), as illustrated in figures 2 and 3.

[0036] The first mechanism M1 is electrical and designed to translate, relative to the base ED, along a first direction d1, the support piece PS to rotate the arm BE around a second direction d2, which is perpendicular to the first direction d1, between the first extreme positions pe1 and pe2. The first extreme position pe1 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, it allows the object O to be brought closer to the driver (left front passenger) by placing it closer to the driver than to the right front passenger, in the case of left-hand drive. The second extreme position pe2 is illustrated in Figure 3. In this case, it allows the object O to be brought closer to the right front passenger by placing it closer to the right front passenger than to the left front passenger and oriented towards the right front passenger, in the case of left-hand drive.

[0037] It will be understood that, because the first end El of the arm BE is coupled to rotation to the base ED, a translation of the support piece PS along the first direction dl causes a rotation of the arm BE around the second direction d2, and therefore an angular positioning of the arm BE in a plane perpendicular to the second direction d2.

[0038] Thanks to this first electrical mechanism Ml, once the arm BE is placed in a first chosen angular position (between the first and second extreme positions) by an action of a user on a control element OC, the support piece PS is immobilized in this first chosen angular position and advantageously holds the arm BE in it. There is therefore no longer any risk of having to reposition the arm BE, just as there is no longer any risk that, in the presence of vibrations, the arm BE will make small jumps and thus generate annoying noises.

[0039] Furthermore, rotating the BE arm by translating its inner part median PI, allows a much more precise placement in the first chosen angular position than if the rotation were carried out electrically at the level of the first end El, and moreover it allows the use of a less powerful and therefore less energy-intensive electric motor.

[0040] To prevent the BE arm from detaching from the PS support piece when placed in a first selected angular position during a turn or change of direction (when fitted to a vehicle) and / or in the presence of shocks or vibrations, it is advantageous for the PS support piece to include coupling means, possibly of the clip type, and / or a specific shape combined with slight flexibility, to maintain it coupled. Furthermore, to prevent the BE arm from causing annoying noises in the presence of vibrations or shocks by repeatedly contacting the PS support piece, it is advantageous for the latter (PS) to be made of a damping material or to include a damping coating, for example, an elastomer (possibly Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (or EPDM)). In this case, the material can, for example, be used in molding, or the coating can, for example, be applied by overmolding.

[0041] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 2 to 4, the first direction dl is parallel to the transverse direction Y, and the second direction d2 is parallel to the vertical direction Z. This allows for an initial angular positioning in the XY plane. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, other positionings of the base ED in the system S may result in different orientations of the first dl and second d2 directions in the system S.

[0042] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 to 4, the BE arm is straight. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the BE arm could be curved.

[0043] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, Figures 2 to 4, the arm BE is extendable between a minimum length (illustrated in Figures 2 to 4) and a maximum length (not illustrated). In this case, and as illustrated, but not limited to, the arm BE can be of the telescopic type. Here, the arm BE comprises a first hollow part PI including the first end E1, a second hollow part P2 housed in translation inside the first part PI, and a third part P3 (optionally hollow) housed in translation inside the second part P2 and including the second end E2. This option is intended to bring the object O closer to or further from the user (here, a front or rear passenger, right or left).

[0044] It should also be noted that the extension / retraction of the BE arm can be done by manual pulling / pushing by the user, or by means of a dedicated control device controlling an electric motor acting on the BE arm.

[0045] But in an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the BE arm could have a constant (or fixed) length.

[0046] For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 to 4, the support device DS may include a ball joint LR coupled to the first end El of the arm BE and to the base ED in order to allow the arm BE to be rotated at least about the second direction d2 (here parallel to the vertical direction Z). Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 and 4, this ball joint LR may include a housing LR' in which a ball BR, at least semi-spherical, is rotatably housed. In the illustrated example, the ball BR is fixedly attached to a lower sub-part of the first end El of the arm BE, and the housing LR' is recessed in the base ED. However, a reverse arrangement is possible, namely, the ball BR fixedly attached to the base ED, and the housing LR' defined in a lower sub-part of the first end El of the arm BE.

[0047] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 2 and 3, the support piece PS can be mounted for free rotation on a first coupling piece PCI, which is part of the first mechanism M1 and is translatable along the first direction d1. It should be noted that this free rotation occurs around the second direction d2 so as to advantageously allow the support piece PS to accompany the arm BE in its rotations around the second direction d2 when it (PS) translates along the first direction d1. Thus, the position of the arm BE relative to the support piece PS remains constant.

[0048] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 2 and 3, the first mechanism M1 may comprise a first electric motor and a first worm gear VL. The support piece PS is coupled to the first worm gear VL. The first electric motor is designed to drive the first worm gear VI in rotation about the first direction d1, which causes the support piece PS to translate along the first direction d1. This first electric motor may be fixedly attached to the base ED or to the equipment ES.

[0049] It will be noted that when the first mechanism Ml includes the first coupling piece PCI, the latter (PCI) is screwed onto the first worm screw VI, and therefore the rotation of the latter (VI) causes the translation of the first coupling piece PCI (and therefore also of the support piece PS) along the first direction dl.

[0050] Also, for example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 to 4, the support device DS may also include a second mechanism M2 and a second coupling piece PC2. The arm BE is adapted to be coupled to the second coupling piece PC2 at least in the first extreme position (see Figures 2 and 4). The second mechanism M2 is electrically powered and translates relative to the base ED, along the second direction d2, the second coupling piece PC2, to rotate the arm BE around the first direction dl between the third extreme positions pe3 and fourth extreme positions pe4. The third extreme position pe3 is shown in [Fig. 3]. It is identical here to the first extreme position pel, but this is not mandatory. The fourth extreme position pe4 is shown in [Fig. 4].

[0051] It will be understood that, because the first end El of the arm BE is coupled rotationally to the base ED, a translation of the second coupling piece PC2 along the second direction d2 causes a rotation of the arm BE around the first direction dl, and therefore a second angular positioning of the arm BE in a plane perpendicular to the first direction dl (here the XZ plane).

[0052] This option allows the BE arm to be straightened more or less via the second coupling piece PC2 because it allows the BE arm to rotate around the first direction dl which is here parallel to the transverse direction Y, and therefore to tilt the object O more or less (here up or down).

[0053] It is important to note that the straightening of the BE arm can only occur here when the latter (BE) has been placed substantially in its first extreme position pel, because the BE arm is then coupled to the second coupling piece PC2. When the BE arm is moved closer to its second extreme position pe2, the BE arm is effectively decoupled from the second coupling piece PC2, and therefore the second mechanism M2 can no longer act upon it. Furthermore, when the BE arm is moved closer to its fourth extreme position pe4, this causes the BE arm to decouple from the support piece PS, and therefore the first mechanism M1 can no longer act upon it.

[0054] Thanks to this second electrical mechanism M2, once the BE arm is placed in a second chosen angular position (between the third pe3 and fourth pe4 extreme positions) by a user's action on a control element (possibly the same one (OC) used to control the placement of the BE arm in a first angular position between the first pe3 and second pe2 extreme positions), the second coupling piece PC2 is immobilized in this second chosen angular position and advantageously holds the BE arm in it. There is therefore no longer any risk of having to reposition the BE arm in the presence of a turn or change of direction and / or vibrations or shocks (when fitted to a vehicle).

[0055] In order to prevent the BE arm from detaching from the second coupling piece PC2 when placed in a second chosen angular position during a turn or change of direction (when fitted to a vehicle) and / or in the presence of shocks or vibrations, it is advantageous for the second coupling piece PC2 to include coupling means, possibly of the clipping type, and / or a specific shape combined with slight flexibility to maintain coupling. Furthermore, to prevent the BE arm from causing annoying noises in the presence of vibrations or shocks by repeatedly contacting the second coupling piece PC2, it is advantageous for the latter (PC2) to be made of a damping material or to include a damping coating, for example, an elastomer (possibly EPDM). In this case, the material can, for example, be used during molding, or the coating can, for example, be applied by overmolding.

[0056] Also, for example, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 2 to 4, the second mechanism M2 may comprise a second electric motor and a second worm gear V2. The second coupling piece PC2 is then screwed onto the second worm gear V2. The second electric motor is designed to drive the second worm gear V2 in rotation around the second direction d2, which causes the second coupling piece PC2 to translate along the second direction d2. This second electric motor may be fixedly attached to the base ED or to the equipment ES.

[0057] It should also be noted that, in the presence of a first M1 and a second M2 mechanism, a common control element OC, such as a joystick, coupled to the first and second electric motors, can be used, as illustrated (though not exhaustively) in [Fig. 1]. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), a first control element OC dedicated to controlling the first electric motor, and a second control element dedicated to controlling the second electric motor, could be used.

[0058] It should also be noted that, when the ES equipment includes a housing dedicated to the DS support device, a cover can be provided, as illustrated (non-limitingly and partially) in [Fig. 1], concealing this housing in continuity with the front face FV1 of the ES equipment and intended to conceal most of this DS support device. In this case, the cover includes a passage (or cutout) PB having a shape adapted to the motorized movements of the BE arm. With only the first mechanism M1 present, the passage PB may have a rectangular shape. With both the first M1 and second M2 mechanisms present, the passage PB may have an L-shape, as illustrated (non-limitingly) in [Fig. 1].

[0059] It should also be noted that when the ES equipment can only include a housing dedicated to the support device DS of limited dimensions along the second direction d2, or when there is no need to provide a displacement of the object O along the second direction d2, or when the support device DS risks interfering with the deployment of an airbag safety device and / or may cause a loss of visibility for the driver, only the first mechanism ML is used. On the other hand, as soon as a dis placement of the object O along the second direction d2, as for example in some utility or camping vehicles ("motorhome"), the first M1 and second M2 mechanisms are used.

Claims

Demands

1. Support device (DS) suitable for equipping equipment (ES) and comprising i) a base (ED), and ii) an arm (BE) comprising a first end (E1) rotationally coupled to said base (ED) and a second end (E2) suitable for receiving an object (0), characterized in that it further comprises a first electrical mechanism (M1) suitable for translating relative to said base (ED), along a first direction, a support piece (PS) supporting an intermediate part (PI) of said arm (BE) at least in certain positions of the latter (BE), to drive said arm (BE) into rotation around a second direction, perpendicular to said first direction, between first and second extreme positions.

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a ball joint (LR) coupled to said first end (El) and base (ED) in order to allow the rotation of said arm (BE) around said second direction.

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said support piece (PS) is mounted for free rotation on a first coupling piece (PCI) of said first mechanism (Ml) translatable along said first direction.

4. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said arm (BE) is extensible between minimum and maximum lengths.

5. Support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first mechanism (M1) comprises a first electric motor suitable for driving in rotation around said first direction a first worm screw (VI) to which said support piece (PS) is coupled.

6. Support device according to the combination of claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said first coupling piece (PCI) is screwed onto said first worm screw (VI).

7. A support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a second electrical mechanism (M2) adapted to translate, relative to said base (ED), along said second direction, a second coupling piece (PC2) to which said arm (BE) is coupled at least in said first extreme position, to rotate said arm (BE) about said first direction between the extreme third and fourth positions.

8. Support device according to claim 7, characterized in that said second mechanism (M2) comprises a second electric motor suitable for driving in rotation around said second direction a second worm screw (V2) on which said second coupling piece (PC2) is screwed.

9. System (S), characterized in that it comprises at least one piece of equipment (ES) comprising at least one support device (DS) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that it constitutes a vehicle, and in that said equipment (ES) is a dashboard.

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