Electronic device mounting system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a support system (1) for an electronic device (2) for a motor vehicle equipped with a ventilation outlet (7), comprising: - at least one heat pipe (3, 4); - a retaining bracket (8) intended to hold the electronic device (2) and fixed, by a fastening mechanism, to an evaporation zone (5) of the at least one heat pipe (3, 4); - a fastening device attached to the at least one heat pipe (3, 4) and configured to fix the support system (1) to the ventilation outlet (7) in an operating position such that the condensation zone (6) is positioned opposite the ventilation outlet (7) and the fastening mechanism is positioned below the ventilation outlet (7). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Support system for an electronic device for a motor vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to a support system for an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to such a system equipped with a device for cooling said electronic device.

[0003] When an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, is connected to a vehicle port, excessive battery heating can occur. This is particularly common when a phone is connected to the vehicle's system to use infotainment applications such as CarPlay® or Android Auto®, for example. This heating can cause the charging process to automatically stop to protect the battery, which can be inconvenient for the user. Furthermore, recurring heating can lead to premature degradation of battery performance and lifespan, thus compromising its long-term efficiency. It is therefore crucial to develop a holder equipped with a device to cool the electronic device.

[0004] Document CN209683587 discloses a vehicle phone holder system with a heat dissipation function. This holder system includes a support structure for holding the phone, with upper, lateral, and lower barriers. The support structure has a slot for inserting an inverted U-shaped heat dissipation structure. This heat dissipation structure consists of a heat pipe and heat-dissipating fins that use air from a vent of the vehicle's air conditioning and ventilation system to dissipate the heat generated by the phone.

[0005] Such a support system is not entirely satisfactory. First, it almost completely obstructs the ventilation opening, thus reducing the efficiency of the air conditioning and ventilation system. Second, the inverted U-shaped heat dissipation structure does not maximize the efficiency of the phase change in the heat pipe, which affects heat dissipation performance. Third, the support uses a retaining bracket to secure the phone, supplemented by a heat pipe and a fin system to increase the heat exchange surface area, making the device particularly complex and expensive to manufacture. Finally, it is only compatible with one phone form factor, limiting its adaptability to different models.

[0006] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to propose a support system for an electronic device intended for a motor vehicle which is both simple and capable of efficiently cooling the device, without compromising the efficiency of the vehicle's air conditioning or ventilation system.

[0007] In order to solve this problem, and according to a first object, a support system for an electronic device for a motor vehicle equipped with a ventilation opening is proposed, comprising: - at least one heat pipe comprising an evaporation zone intended to receive heat from the electronic device and a condensation zone intended to transfer the received heat to an airflow from the ventilation outlet; the evaporation zone being positioned below and vertically away from the condensation zone; - a support bracket which includes a rear support plate which is intended to accommodate a rear face of the electronic device, said rear support plate being fixed, by a fixing mechanism, to the evaporation zone of at least one heat pipe; - a fastening device which is attached to at least one heat pipe and configured to fix the support system to the vent in an operating position such that the condensation zone is positioned opposite the vent and the fastening mechanism is positioned below the vent.

[0008] Thus, with the condensation zone positioned above the evaporation zone, the liquid fluid flows down by gravity from the condensation zone to the evaporation zone, optimizing the heat pipe's efficiency. Furthermore, since the mounting mechanism is located below the vent, the electronic device will be offset downwards relative to it, reducing disturbances to the airflow passing through the vent. Finally, the heat pipe(s) serve a dual purpose: in addition to their heat dissipation role, they provide a structural function by acting as a mechanical link between the support and the mounting device, thereby simplifying the support system's structure.

[0009] According to embodiments, such a support system may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the evaporation zone and the condensation zone are separated by a distance such that, in the operating position, the support bracket is positioned below the ventilation opening. This further reduces the risk of disturbances to the airflow passing through the ventilation opening.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the condensation zone and the evaporation zone are separated from each other by a distance greater than 5 cm, and preferably greater than 8 cm.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the support system comprises two parallel heat pipes, the support fixing mechanism and the attachment device being respectively fixed in the evaporation and condensation zones of the two heat pipes. Thus, said heat pipes form the uprights of a structure that supports and connects the support and the attachment device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the fastening mechanism comprises: - a base which is equipped with two parallel grooves, each accommodating one of the heat pipes; - a cover which is fixed to the base and covers the grooves so as to press the heat pipes between the base and the cover.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the attachment device comprises: - a first and a second fixing flanges which are fixed to the heat pipes, perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said heat pipes; - an intermediate flange which is mounted to slide on the heat pipes along the longitudinal direction of the heat pipes between the first and second fixing flanges; - helical compression springs which are fitted onto the heat pipes and interposed between the second fixing flange and the intermediate flange so as to pull said intermediate flange towards the first fixing flange; - the intermediate flange and the second fixing flange are each equipped with a pair of fixing pins intended to fit into a respective gap in the ventilation opening.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the fastening device comprises two handles respectively equipping the intermediate flange and the second fixing flange.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the rear support plate is hinged to the mounting mechanism by means of a pivot joint. This allows the electronic device to be oriented, as desired, in either a "portrait" or "landscape" orientation.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the pivot joint comprises a cylindrical axis which projects backwards from the rear support plate and which is guided in rotation in a cylindrical orifice provided in the fastening mechanism, for example in the base of said fastening mechanism.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the rear support plate and the fixing mechanism are made of metal. This optimizes heat transfer, by conduction, from the electronic device to the heat pipe(s).

[0019] According to one embodiment, the rear support plate and the fixing mechanism are made of aluminum.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the back support plate is equipped with retaining elements configured to retain the electronic device against the back support plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the retaining elements comprise at least one jaw that is movably mounted on said back support plate and a return member cooperating with said jaw and configured to return said jaw to a clamping position in which said jaw is able to press the electronic device against the back support plate. This allows the retaining support to accommodate a wider variety of electronic devices.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the retaining elements comprise at least two jaws which are movably mounted along two opposite edges of said back support plate, each of the jaws cooperating with a return member which is configured to return said jaw to a clamping position in which said jaw is able to press the electronic device against the back support plate.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the jaws are pivotally mounted on the rear support plate. According to another embodiment, the jaws are sliding mounted. According to yet another embodiment, one of the jaws is pivotally mounted and the other is sliding mounted.

[0024] According to a second object, an assembly is proposed comprising a motor vehicle equipped with a ventilation opening and a support system for an electronic device of the aforementioned type, in which the attachment device is fixed to the ventilation opening, the condensation zone is positioned opposite the ventilation opening and the support bracket is positioned below the ventilation opening.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] is a partial perspective view of the passenger compartment of a vehicle illustrating a support system according to a first embodiment, in operation, i.e. which is attached to a ventilation outlet and which supports an electronic device.

[0027] [Fig.2] is a front perspective view of the support system according to the first mode of realization.

[0028] [Fig.3] is a rear perspective view of the support system according to the first method of implementation.

[0029] [Fig.4] is a front perspective view of the support system according to the first mode of realization, the support structure being represented in its landscape configuration.

[0030] [Fig.5] is a rear perspective view of the support system according to the first embodiment, the support being represented in its landscape configuration.

[0031] [Fig.6] is a partial exploded view of the support system according to the first mode of realization illustrating the heat pipes as well as the fixing mechanism allowing the support bracket to be fixed to said heat pipes.

[0032] [Fig.7] is a partial exploded view of the support system according to the first mode of realization illustrating the heat pipes, the fixing mechanism as well as the attachment device which is intended to secure the support system to the ventilation outlet.

[0033] [Fig.8] is an exploded view of the support system according to the first mode of illustration showing the heat pipes, the fixing mechanism, the attachment device and the pivot joint allowing the rear support plate to pivot relative to the fixing mechanism.

[0034] [Fig.9] is a front perspective view of a support system according to a second embodiment supporting an electronic device.

[0035] [Fig. 10] is a rear perspective view of the support system according to the second method of implementation.

[0036] [Fig. 11] is a front perspective view of a support system according to a third embodiment supporting an electronic device.

[0037] [Fig. 12] is a rear perspective view of the support system according to the third method of implementation.

[0038] In relation to figures 1 to 8, a support system 1 is described, according to a first embodiment, intended to support an electronic device 2.

[0039] In [Fig. 1], the support system 1 is observed in operation. This support system 1 holds the electronic device 2 in place while being attached to an air vent 7, belonging to a vehicle's ventilation, heating and air conditioning system.

[0040] The electronic device 2, shown, is a mobile phone. However, the support system 1 described in this invention is not exclusively designed for this type of device. It can also be used to support other electronic devices, such as a tablet, a GPS system, or other similar devices.

[0041] The support system 1 comprises at least one heat pipe 3, 4, and more particularly comprises two in the embodiment shown. Each heat pipe 3, 4 is intended to absorb heat from the electronic device 2 and to release it to the ambient air.

[0042] A heat pipe 3, 4, also referred to as a "heat pipe" in English, is an element designed to transport heat through the phenomenon of heat transfer by phase transition of a fluid. A heat pipe 3, 4 comprises a hermetically sealed tube containing a fluid in a liquid-vapor equilibrium state, such as water or alcohol for example.

[0043] Each heat pipe 3, 4 has an evaporation zone 5 and a condensation zone 6. The evaporation zone 5 designates the zone which is intended to receive heat from a hot point, here the electronic device 2, while the condensation zone 6 designates the zone which is intended to release heat to a cold point, here the ambient air and more particularly the airflow which comes from the ventilation mouth 7.

[0044] The evaporation zone 5 is in contact with the support 8 which receives the electronic device 2. Thus, the evaporation zone 5 receives heat from the electronic device 2, notably by conduction through said support 8. Thus, in the evaporation zone 5, the fluid in the liquid state contained in the hermetically sealed tube vaporizes by absorbing thermal energy emitted by the electronic device 2.

[0045] The condensation zone 6 is positioned opposite the vehicle's air vent 7 in order to transfer heat, by convection, to the airflow from said vent 7. In the condensation zone 6, the vapor circulating in the airtight tube from the evaporation zone 5 condenses and returns to a liquid state, thereby transferring thermal energy to the airflow. Subsequently, the fluid in its liquid state returns to the evaporation zone 5.

[0046] In the support system 1 shown, the condensation zone 6 is placed above the evaporation zone 5. In addition, the evaporation zone 5 and the condensation zone 6 are advantageously separated by a distance greater than 5 cm and preferably greater than 8 cm.

[0047] Furthermore, in operation, as shown in [Fig.1], the support bracket 8 is located below the ventilation opening 7. Preferably, the position of said support bracket 8 is such that, in operation, the electronic device 2, supported by the support bracket 8, is positioned below the greater part of the ventilation opening 7.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the support system 1 comprises two heat pipes 3, 4 arranged parallel to each other, thus forming two uprights. The heat pipes 3, 4 are straight here, that is to say, they have no curvature or deviation along their length.

[0049] The retaining bracket 8 includes a fastening mechanism 10, illustrated in detail in [Fig. 6], which allows the retaining bracket 8 to be attached to the heat pipes 3, 4. This fastening mechanism 10 comprises a base 11 and a cover 12, which are assembled using fasteners 13, such as screws. The base 11 is equipped with two parallel grooves 14, 15, each intended to accommodate one of the heat pipes 3, 4. When the cover 12 is fixed to the base 11, it covers the grooves 14, 15, thus pressing the heat pipes 3, 4 between the base 11 and the cover 12 and thus ensuring the fixing of the fixing mechanism 10 to the heat pipes 3, 4.

[0050] The support bracket 8 includes a rear support plate 16 which accommodates the rear face of the electronic device 2.

[0051] This back support plate 16 is fixed to the fixing mechanism 10. In the first embodiment of Figures 2 to 8, the connection between the back support plate 16 and the fixing mechanism 10 is made by a pivot joint 17. Thus, the back support plate 16 can pivot relative to the fixing mechanism 10 around an axis of rotation which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heat pipes 3, 4. This allows the electronic device 2 to be rotated between a landscape orientation, shown in Figures 2 and 3, where the electronic device 2 is held vertically with the shorter edges at the top and bottom, and a portrait orientation, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, where the electronic device 2 is held horizontally with the longer edges at the top and bottom.

[0052] The pivot joint 17 between the rear support plate 16 and the fastening mechanism 10 is illustrated in detail in [Fig.8]. The pivot joint 17 includes a cylindrical shaft 18 that projects rearward from the rear support plate 16. The cylindrical shaft 18 is mounted in a cylindrical bore 19 located in the base 11 of the fastening mechanism 10. The cylindrical bore 19 is configured to guide the cylindrical shaft 18 in rotation. The cylindrical shaft 18 is connected, for example, by a fastener, to a retaining washer 20, inserted into a bore 21 in the cover 12 of the fastening mechanism 10. This bore 21 in the cover 12 has a larger diameter than the cylindrical bore 19 in the base 11. This difference in diameter creates a shoulder that defines a bearing surface for the retaining washer 20, thus preventing the cylindrical shaft 18 from coming out of the cylindrical bore 19.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the pivot joint 17 also includes a friction washer 22, illustrated in [Fig. 8]. The friction washer 22 is interposed axially between the bearing surface defined by the aforementioned shoulder and the retaining washer 20. This friction washer 22 is designed to create sufficient friction torque to prevent the rear support plate 16 from pivoting unintentionally, unless an intentional force is applied by the user to rotate it relative to the retaining mechanism 10 and thus change the orientation of the electronic device 2.

[0054] Furthermore, the rear support plate 16 is equipped with retaining elements for holding the electronic device 2 against the rear support plate 16. In the embodiment shown, the retaining elements are jaws 23, 24 which are pivotally mounted on the rear support plate 16 and configured to press the electronic device 2 against the rear support plate 16. The two jaws 23, 24 are rotatably mounted along two opposite edges of said rear support plate 16. Each jaw 23, 24 cooperates with one or more return elements, such as helical torsion springs, which are configured to return the jaw 23, 24 to a clamping position in which it is able to press the electronic device 2 against the rear support plate 16.

[0055] In order to promote heat conduction through the retaining support 8 The electronic device 2 to the heat pipes 3, 4, the back support plate 16, the pivot joint 17 and the fixing mechanism 10 are made of metal, and for example of aluminium which offers good thermal conductivity.

[0056] In the embodiment shown, the fastening device 9 comprises three flanges, namely an upper flange 25, a lower flange 26 and an intermediate flange 27 which is positioned vertically between the upper flange 25 and the lower flange 26.

[0057] The flanges 25, 26, 27 are each secured to one and the other of the two heat pipes 3, 4 and extend perpendicularly to them. According to an example of an embodiment, shown in [Fig.7], each of the flanges 25, 26, 27 is composed of two metal pieces which are arranged on either side of two heat pipes 3, 4. These metal pieces are fixed to each other by fastening members and are folded so as to create passages through which the heat pipes 3, 4 pass.

[0058] The lower flange 26 and the upper flange 25 are fixedly mounted on the heat pipes 3, 4 while the intermediate flange 27 is slidably mounted in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heat pipes 3, 4.

[0059] Returning elements, here helical compression springs 28, 29, are fitted onto the heat pipes 3, 4. They are interposed between the intermediate flange 27 and the lower flange 26 and thus return the intermediate flange 27 to a stop position against the upper flange 25.

[0060] Furthermore, the intermediate flange 27 and the lower flange 26 are each equipped with a handle 30, 31, for example made of polymer. The purpose of these handles 30, 31 is to simplify handling by the user when moving the intermediate flange 27 towards the lower flange 26, thereby compressing the helical compression springs 28, 29.

[0061] The lower flange 26 and the intermediate flange 27 are each equipped with a pair of fixing pins 32, 33. The fixing pins 32, 33 are arranged to fit into gaps provided in the grille of the ventilation opening 7.

[0062] To install the support system, the following steps are taken. The user must apply pressure to the intermediate flange 27 in the direction of the lower flange 26, so as to separate the two flanges 26, 27 by a distance such that each pair The fixing pins 32, 33 can be inserted into a respective gap in the ventilation opening 7. Once the pairs of fixing pins 32, 33 are correctly positioned in the ventilation opening 7, the user can release the pressure on the intermediate flange 27. This will then move under the effect of the return members, which will exert a spreading force on the fixing pins 32, 33, thus ensuring their fixing in the ventilation opening 7.

[0063] In another alternative embodiment not shown, one of the pairs of fixing pins 32, 33 can be fixed to the upper flange 25 instead of the lower flange 26. In this case, the upper flange 25 is equipped with the handle 31 and the helical compression springs 28, 29 are interposed between the upper flange 25 and the intermediate flange 27.

[0064] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a support system 1 according to a second embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8 in that the jaws 23, 24 are not rotationally mounted on the rear support plate 16 but are movably mounted in translation. Also, the return elements are not torsion springs but compression springs. It can also be seen that, in this embodiment, the structure of the jaws 23, 24 could cause interference with the fastening mechanism 10 if the rear support plate 16 were, as in the previous embodiment, pivotally mounted on the fastening mechanism 10. Therefore, the rear support plate 16 is fixed rotationally with respect to the fastening mechanism 10.

[0065] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a support system 1 according to a third embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in relation to Figures 1 to 8 in that one of its jaws 23 is not mounted for rotation on the rear support plate 16 but is mounted movable in translation, as in the embodiment of Figures 9 to 10, while the other jaw 24 remains unchanged, i.e. mounted movable in rotation on the rear support plate 16.

[0066] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0067] In particular, the structures of the support 8 and the attachment device 9 are described above only by way of example and many alternative embodiments can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0068] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0069] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Demands

1. Support system (1) for an electronic device (2) for a motor vehicle equipped with an air vent (7) comprising: - at least one heat pipe (3, 4) comprising an evaporation zone (5) for receiving heat from the electronic device (2) and a condensation zone (6) for transferring the received heat to an airflow from the air vent (7); the evaporation zone (5) being positioned below and vertically away from the condensation zone (6); - a support bracket (8) comprising a rear support plate (16) for receiving a rear face of the electronic device (2), said rear support plate (16) being fixed, by a fastening mechanism (10), to the evaporation zone (5) of the at least one heat pipe (3, 4);- a fastening device (9) which is attached to at least one heat pipe (3, 4) and configured to fix the support system (1) to the vent (7) in an operating position such that the condensation zone (6) is positioned opposite the vent (7) and the fastening mechanism (10) is positioned below the vent (7).

2. Support system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the evaporation zone (5) and the condensation zone (6) are separated by a distance such that, in the operating position, the retaining support (8) is positioned below the ventilation opening (7).

3. Support system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condensation zone (6) and the evaporation zone (5) are separated from each other by a distance greater than 5 cm, and preferably greater than 8 cm.

4. Support system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising two parallel heat pipes (3, 4), the fixing mechanism (10) of the retaining support (8) and the attachment device (9) being respectively fixed in the evaporation zones (5) and in the condensation zones (6) of the two heat pipes (3, 4).

5. Support system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fastening mechanism (10) comprises: - a base (11) which is equipped with two parallel grooves (14, 15), each accommodating one of the heat pipes (3, 4); - a cover (12) which is fixed to the base (11) and covers the grooves (14, 15) so as to press the heat pipes (3, 4) between the base (11) and the cover (12).

6. Support system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the attachment device (9) comprises: - a first and a second fixing flange (25, 26) which are fixed to the heat pipes (3, 4), perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said heat pipes (3, 4); - an intermediate flange (27) which is slidably mounted on the heat pipes (3, 4) along the longitudinal direction of the heat pipes (3, 4) between the first and second fixing flanges (25, 26); - helical compression springs (28, 29) which are fitted onto the heat pipes (3, 4) and interposed between the second fixing flange (26) and the intermediate flange (27) so as to return said intermediate flange (27) in the direction of the first fixing flange (25); - the intermediate flange (27) and the second fixing flange (26) are each equipped with a pair of fixing pins (32, 33) intended to fit into a respective gap in the ventilation opening (7).

7. Support system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the back support plate (16) is mounted articulated to the fastening mechanism (10) by a pivot joint (17).

8. Support system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the back support plate (16) and the fastening mechanism (10) are made of metal.

9. Support system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the back support plate (16) is equipped with retaining elements configured to retain the electronic device (2) against the back support plate (16).

10. An assembly comprising a motor vehicle equipped with a ventilation opening (7) and a support system (1) for an electronic device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the attachment device (9) is fixed to the ventilation opening (7), and the condensation zone (6) is positioned opposite the ventilation opening (7) and the support bracket (8) is positioned below the ventilation opening (7).

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