Movable projector cabinet

Abstract

To eliminate the need of moving a projector from a cabinet before using the projector.SOLUTION: A movable projector cabinet (1) has a projector (10) installed inside a cabinet and allows operation of the projector from the inside of the cabinet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a movable projector cabinet.

Background Art

[0002] A projector that projects projection light onto a reflecting surface such as a screen or a wall to display an image is generally known and widely used.

[0003] Conventionally, projectors have been assembled as fixed equipment at various usage sites. This means that there are many installation operations at the usage site. A fixed installation means that a specific space at the installation location is always secured for the projector and audio devices. Also, the design, cable wiring, and installation of audio-visual technology can be difficult, especially in large event spaces. It is necessary to use the projector more flexibly at multiple different locations at the usage site.

[0004] Even for movable projectors and other related devices, installation and setup work are required before the projector and related devices can be used. This takes time and often requires specialized knowledge from the user. Furthermore, when moving the projector and related AV devices from the storage location to the usage site, there is also a risk of damaging the projector and related AV devices.

[0005] Projector cabinets and stands for housing projectors that project images onto screens and the like are known. In known solutions, the projector is often placed on top of the cabinet or stand, and there is a risk of dust accumulation or theft while it is not in use. In some other solutions, the projector can be stored inside the cabinet while it is not in use. However, when setting up the projector for use, the projector has to be moved from inside the cabinet to the top of the cabinet, which has the drawback of being cumbersome to operate. Also, on top of the cabinet, there is often a need for space to place devices such as computers, laptop computers, tablets, media players, etc., which are necessary as input devices to the projector and audio devices.

[0006] Also, the cooling of the projector is an important factor. This has substantially restricted, in many cases, the placement of the projector inside the cabinet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to alleviate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0008] The present invention provides a movable projector cabinet in which a projector is installed inside the cabinet and can be operated from inside the cabinet so that it is not necessary to move the projector out of the cabinet for use. According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a movable projector cabinet comprising a base, a plurality of casters, a first side wall extending from the base, a second side wall spaced apart from the first side wall and extending from the base, a table surface disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall and spaced apart from the base, and a front wall and a rear wall that together define a cabinet space.

[0009] According to the present invention, the projector space is arranged within a cabinet space between the base and the table surface and between the first side wall and the second side wall. The shelf board that defines the floor of the projector space is arranged at an inclination angle α with respect to a plane parallel to the base. The projector is configured to be accommodated on the shelf board such that the lens of the projector faces the front wall and the lens extends through an opening arranged in the front wall.

[0010] The technical effect is that by arranging the projector space within the cabinet, an efficient solution for a movable projector cabinet is realized. By arranging the shelf board at an inclination angle, an inclination angle suitable for the projector is obtained, and at the same time, the shape and size of the projector space become suitable for efficient cooling. When combined with a suitable projector, the movable projector cabinet becomes a factory-manufactured solution, saving the trouble of designing, cabling, and installing audio-visual technology, which is difficult especially in large event spaces. By using a movable projector cabinet having an AV system and a projector, the introduction of AV technology at the usage site becomes unnecessary, and special expertise in AV design is not required, thus reducing the total labor cost.

[0011] The movable projector cabinet of the present invention is characterized by the matters described in the independent claims.

[0012] Some other embodiments are characterized by the matters recited in other claims. Embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed in the specification and drawings of this patent application. Further, the content of the invention of this patent application may be defined in a manner other than that defined in the following claims. The content of the present invention may, in particular, be formed from a plurality of distinct inventions when the present invention is considered in light of explicit or implicit subordinate problems or in light of the benefits or groups of benefits obtained. In that case, some of the definitions included in the following claims may become unnecessary from the perspective of distinct inventive concepts. The features of different embodiments of the present invention may be applied to other embodiments within the scope of the basic inventive concept.

[0013] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the cabinet may further include at least one speaker and connection means for connecting the projector or other audio source device to the at least one speaker. With the speaker disposed within the cabinet, the cabinet becomes a compact AV solution and can be used immediately without an external speaker system.

[0014] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the at least one speaker may be disposed on the rear wall side of the cabinet. The movable projector cabinet may be disposed in front of the viewer, and the speaker may be directed toward the viewer.

[0015] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, at least one fan is disposed within the cabinet, and the at least one fan is configured to introduce air into the projector space through openings disposed in the front wall and / or the side wall of the cabinet to cool the projector space and to discharge air from the projector space. By disposing at least one fan and circulating air through the openings into the projector space, an efficient flow of cooling air is provided to the projector space.

[0016] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the shelf board may be arranged in the cabinet space such that the front end portion of the shelf board is spaced further from the plane of the base than the rear portion of the shelf board. Thereby, the projector can be fixed in a tilted position according to the tilt angle.

[0017] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the tilt angle α of the shelf board may be 8 degrees to 20 degrees. This tilt angle may be suitable for the projector, enabling the movable projector cabinet to be placed close to the screen, and at the same time, maintaining the possibility of a relatively large projected image size, particularly the projected image height, on the screen.

[0018] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the projector space may be a wedge-shaped space whose height increases from the front wall side to the rear wall side at least in a part of the projector space. Since the projector space is generally wedge-shaped, it is possible to efficiently introduce the flow of cooling air into the projector space and at the same time provide the possibility of keeping the projector cabinet compact.

[0019] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the fan may be configured to suck air from the projector space and blow the air outside the cabinet. By sucking in the cooling air through the opening to the projector space and blowing out the warm air from the projector space, it is efficient to create a reduced pressure (partial vacuum) inside the projector space by the fan.

[0020] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the fan may be configured to realize an air flow that brings cooling air into the projector space through the opening of the front wall. It may be effective to introduce the cooling air to the lower side and the front side of the projector space and direct the air flow toward the position of the projector in the projector space.

[0021] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, a handle opening is arranged on each of the side walls, and an air flow path from the outside of the projector cabinet to the projector space can be provided. The handle opening may be used as a gripping point when moving the movable projector cabinet and may bring additional cooling air into the projector space during the operation of the projector.

[0022] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the fan may be configured to realize a first air flow into the projector space through the opening of the front wall and a second air flow into the projector space through the handle opening, and the handle opening may be arranged on the side wall spaced apart from the front wall. This makes it possible to introduce the cooling air into the projector space in at least two stages. In the first stage, the cooling air is brought in through the opening of the front wall. In the second stage, more cooling air is brought in through the handle opening to cool the already warm air coming from the opening of the front wall through the projector. This provides the feature that the output air of the projector space can become colder when the cooling air is mixed with the warm air in the projector space.

[0023] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, a temperature sensor may be arranged in the projector space, and the operation of the fan may be configured to be controlled based on the signal or information of the temperature sensor. This makes it possible to adjust the temperature and / or air flow of the projector space.

[0024] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the operation panel may be arranged at the upper part of the cabinet. This makes it easier for the operator to use.

[0025] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the connection panel may be arranged inside the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, a part of the common connection may be arranged on the operation panel, and a part of the connection to the connection panel may be arranged in the technical space of the movable projector cabinet.

[0026] In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet of the present invention, the projector space of the projector cabinet may be configured to accommodate a laser projector, preferably a laser projector having a light output of 20,000 lumens or less.

[0027] The movable projector cabinet and its projector space may be an appropriate projector capable of generating light up to 20,000 lumens, which provides sufficient brightness even for the most demanding requirements and bright spaces. The built-in sound system generates sufficient sound pressure even for hundreds of people. The projector cabinet is also compatible with external sound systems.

[0028] In one embodiment, the movable projector cabinet is designed for users without a technical background. In one embodiment, the projector and the AV system are activated by touching a button, and the operation panel includes only the most common operation buttons. Source devices such as a laptop computer or a mobile device can be connected by cable or wirelessly.

[0029] It should be understood that the above-described aspects and embodiments of the present invention can be used in any combination with each other. Some aspects and embodiments can be combined together to form further embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated herein as part of the description, illustrating embodiments of the present invention and serving to explain the principles of the present invention together with the detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] In the drawings, some embodiments are shown simplified for clarity. In the figures, like parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0033] FIGS. 1 to 4 show perspective views of a projector cabinet 1. The projector cabinet 1 includes a base 2. In one embodiment, the base 2 may be a bottom plate-like member. Casters 3 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the base 2. The projector cabinet 1 can be moved in the left-right direction, front-rear direction, and diagonal direction on a support surface by the casters, and can also be rotated 360 degrees in all directions. In one embodiment, the casters 3 may be provided at the four corners of the bottom surface of the base 2. With these casters 3, the cabinet 1 can be moved together with the projector 10.

[0034] The caster 3 may be provided with a brake. The brake can prevent the cabinet 1 from moving when necessary, such as when the projector 10 is in use.

[0035] In one embodiment, the cabinet 1 can include a first side wall 4 that is perpendicular to the base 2 and extends upward from the upper surface of the base 2. In one embodiment, the cabinet 1 can include a second side wall 5 that is spaced apart from the first side wall 4, perpendicular to the base 2, and extends upward from the base 2.

[0036] In one embodiment, the cabinet can include a table surface 6 that is spaced apart from the base 2 and substantially parallel to the base 2. In one embodiment, the table surface 6 may be a top plate or other plate-like member.

[0037] In one embodiment of the projector cabinet 1, the projector space 40 may be disposed within the cabinet space between the base 2 and the table surface 6 and between the first side wall 4 and the second side wall 5. The shelf board 24 may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the upper surface of the base 2 between the first side wall 4 and the second side wall 5. In one embodiment, the shelf board 24 may be disposed at an angle α with respect to a plane parallel to the base 2. In one embodiment, the front end portion of the shelf board 24 is at a longer distance from the plane of the base than the rear portion of the shelf board. In one embodiment, the inclination angle α of the shelf board 24 may be 8 degrees to 20 degrees. In one embodiment, the inclination angle α of the shelf board 24 may be 10 degrees to 16 degrees, preferably 13 degrees to 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the inclination angle α of the shelf board 24 may be 15 degrees. The projector 10 may be disposed on the shelf board 24 such that the lens of the projector 10 extends through the opening 9 of the front wall 8.

[0038] In one embodiment, the projector space 40 can be defined by the upper surface of the shelf board 24, the lower surface of the table surface 6, the inner surface of the first side wall 4, and the inner surface of the second side wall 5. A front wall 8 may be disposed on the front side of the projector cabinet 1. The front wall 8 can extend between the front end of the shelf board 24 and the front end of the table surface 6. In one embodiment, the front wall 8 may be disposed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shelf board 24 toward the table surface 6. In a plane parallel to the base, the front wall 8 can extend from the first side wall 4 to the second side wall 5. In one embodiment, the front wall can have an opening 9 for the lens of the projector 10. In one embodiment, the front wall 9 can be provided with an intake opening 11 for cooling the projector 10. The opening 11 may be disposed from the outside of the cabinet to the projector space 40 of the cabinet. In one embodiment, the opening 11 may be in the form of a slot. In one embodiment, the opening 11 may be adjacent to the opening 9 for the lens of the projector 10, spaced apart from the opening 9, and disposed on the front wall 8. In one embodiment, the opening 11 may be arranged as an array of slots parallel to the plane of the shelf board 24 and spaced in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shelf board. In one embodiment, the opening may be arranged in other suitable shapes and patterns. In one embodiment, an air filter may be disposed in relation to the opening 11. In one embodiment, a mesh may be disposed in relation to the opening 11.

[0039] The shelf board 24 may be disposed so as to extend from the front wall 8 to the rear wall 18 of the projector cabinet 1. In one embodiment, the height of the projector space 40 may be configured to increase at least in part in the distance of the projector space extending from the front wall to the rear wall. This means that more free space can be arranged between the projector and the upper wall (table surface) of the projector space 40 in the portion adjacent to the rear wall than in the portion adjacent to the front wall of the projector space.

[0040] In one embodiment, the fan 20 may be configured to suck air from the projector space and blow the air outside the cabinet. In FIG. 4, the white arrows schematically show the air flow into the cabinet 1 in the projector space 40 and the air flow from the cabinet. In one embodiment, in order to carry the air from the projector space to the outside of the projector space, an opening 19 penetrating the rear wall from the projector space may be disposed in the rear wall at the installation location of the fan 20. In one embodiment, the fan sucks air from the projector space during its operation. In one embodiment, the fan may be configured to realize the air flow through the opening 11 in the front wall 8 and bring the cooling air to the projector. In one embodiment, the air can flow through the cooling system of the projector, and the air heated in the cooling stage of the projector may be discharged to a portion adjacent to the rear wall of the projector space. Here, the flow of warm air coming from the projector may be mixed with the flow of cold air coming from the handle openings 17 in the first and second side walls 4 and 5. In one embodiment, an efficient cooling air flow may be realized by the fan 20 in the projector space 40 through the opening 11 in the front wall. In one embodiment, the second cooling air flow can reach the projector space 40 by the fan 20 in the projector space 40 through the handle openings 17 disposed spaced apart from the front wall in the side walls 4 and 5 and through the side walls from the outside of the cabinet. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped portion of the projector space 40 may be configured to expand at least its height from the front wall 8 towards the rear wall 18. The shape of the projector space 40 provides an efficient cooling air flow due to the inclined shelf plate 24, the openings 11 and 17 of the projector cabinet, and the configuration of at least one fan 20, thereby enabling the projector 10 to be placed in the projector space 40 of the cabinet and used without removing the projector from the projector space. In one embodiment, a temperature sensor 39 may be disposed in the projector space 40, and the rotation of the fan 20 may be configured to be controlled based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 39.In one embodiment, optionally, the operation of the projector 10 may be configured to be controlled based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 39.

[0041] In one embodiment, the cabinet may include a plurality of fans 20. In one illustrated embodiment, two fans 20 may be disposed on the rear wall 18 of the cabinet in relation to the projector space 40. In one embodiment, a cover panel, grille, grill, or mesh may be disposed on the rear wall 18. In one embodiment, the cover, grille, grill, or mesh may be disposed on the cabinet by a quick-release coupling. In one embodiment, the quick-release coupling of the cover panel may be constituted by magnets and their corresponding components.

[0042] In one embodiment, the operation panel 14 may be disposed on the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the operation panel may be disposed on the upper part of the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the upper part may extend vertically spaced from the plane of the table surface 6. The upper part may have an upper front wall 12 and an upper top wall 13. The first and second side walls may each have a top extending up to the upper top wall 13. The rear wall 18 of the projector cabinet may extend up to the upper top wall 13. In one embodiment of the projector cabinet, at least one speaker 21 may be disposed within the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, a pair of speakers 21 may be disposed within the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the speaker 21 may be disposed on the rear wall 18 of the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the speaker(s) 21 may be disposed on the upper part of the projector cabinet.

[0043] In one embodiment, the operation panel 14 may be disposed on the upper part of the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the operation panel 14 may be disposed on the front wall 12 and / or the upper wall 13 of the upper part of the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the operation panel may be embedded in the front wall and / or the upper wall of the upper part of the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the front surface of the operation panel 14 may be embedded at a distance inward from the plane of the upper front wall 12 of the projector cabinet. The operation panel can include at least one or more of an on / off switch 15, volume up / down buttons, video signal input, HDMI (registered trademark), microphone / line input, SPDIF input / output, and several programmable user buttons (e.g., source, freeze, mute, pause, etc.). The operation panel may have a power outlet 16. In one embodiment, the operation panel 14 may be provided with a touch screen.

[0044] In one embodiment, the connection panel 26 may be disposed within the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the connection panel may include a main power connection portion 27. In one embodiment, the connection panel 26 may further include other input / output connection points for power, sound, and information. In one embodiment, the connection panel 26 may be disposed within the technical space 41 within the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the technical space 41 may be disposed between the base 2 and the shelf board 24 within the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the connection panel may be disposed on a connection rail disposed within the technical space. In one embodiment, the technical space 41 may be provided by a closing member such as a door 7. In one embodiment, the closing member of the technical space may be disposed on the front wall side of the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, an opening 23 for a power cable may be disposed in the cabinet. In one embodiment, the opening 23 may be disposed through the base 2. In one embodiment, this opening may be disposed on the front edge region of the base.

[0045] In one embodiment, an additional storage space 42 may be disposed within the projector cabinet. In one embodiment, the drawer 22 may be disposed at the rear wall portion of the projector cabinet.

[0046] In one embodiment, partition walls 29, 30, 31, 32 may be disposed to separate different spaces 40, 41, 42 of the projector cabinet.

[0047] In the figure, the cable wiring of different devices in the cabinet, such as the operation panel 14, the connection panel 26, the speaker 21, the projector 10, and possible other devices, is not shown for clarity of the drawing.

[0048] In one embodiment, the projector space 40 of the projector cabinet may be configured to accommodate a laser projector, preferably a laser projector having a light output of up to 20,000 lumens. In one embodiment, images and sounds can be optimized for spaces of different sizes. In one embodiment, the movable projector cabinet and AV technology optimized for a stadium can be converted for conference use without the need for reprogramming or installation.

[0049] In one embodiment, the movable projector cabinet can convert a stadium for festival use and convert a lobby into a display space. The movable projector cabinet can be used for a plurality of different purposes, resulting in a high utilization rate of AV technology.

[0050] At the design stage, the light output of the laser projector can be determined according to the brightness of the room and the requirements of the image size. In one embodiment of the movable projector cabinet, the audio system can be expanded to meet the needs of the event by selecting appropriate connections and functions for the solution.

[0051] With the progress of technology, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the basic idea of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, the present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above and can be modified within the scope described in the claims.

Claims

1. A movable projector cabinet, comprising: A base (2); A plurality of casters (3); a first side wall (4) extending from the base (2); a second side wall (5) spaced apart from the first side wall (4) and extending from the base (2); a table surface (6) disposed at a distance from the base (2) and between the first side wall (4) and the second side wall (5); a front wall (8) and a rear wall (18) which together define a cabinet space; Equipped with An operation panel (14) is disposed on an upper portion of the projector cabinet, the upper portion extends at a vertical distance from the plane of the table surface (6), the upper portion comprises an upper front wall (12) and an upper top wall (13), the first side wall (4) and the second side wall (5) each have a top extending to the upper top wall (13) of the upper portion, the rear wall (18) of the projector cabinet extends to the upper top wall (13) of the upper portion, and a projector space (40) is formed between the base (2) and the table surface (6) and between the first side wall (4) and the second side wall (5) and the projector space (40) between the base (2) and the table surface (6) and between the first side wall (4) and the second side wall (5) each have a top extending to the upper top wall (13) of the upper portion, a shelf (24) disposed in one of a plurality of mutually separated spaces constituting the cabinet space between the wall (4) and the second side wall (5) and defining a floor of the projector space (40) is disposed at an inclination angle (α) with respect to a plane parallel to the base (2) and configured to accommodate a projector (10) on the shelf (24) such that a lens of the projector (10) faces the front wall (8) and can be disposed such that the lens extends through an opening (9) disposed in the front wall (8). Movable projector cabinet.

2. 10. The movable projector cabinet of claim 1, further comprising at least one speaker (21) and a connection means for connecting the projector (10) or other audio source device to the at least one speaker.

3. 3. The movable projector cabinet according to claim 2, wherein the at least one speaker (21) is disposed on the rear wall (18) side of the projector cabinet.

4. 4. The movable projector cabinet according to claim 1, wherein at least one fan (20) is arranged in the projector cabinet, the at least one fan (20) being configured to introduce air into the projector space (40) and exhaust air from the projector space (40) via openings (11, 17) arranged in the front wall (8) and / or the first and second side walls (4) and (5) of the projector cabinet to cool the projector space (40).

5. 5. A movable projector cabinet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shelf (24) is positioned in the cabinet space such that a front end of the shelf (24) is farther away from the plane of the base (2) than a rear end of the shelf (24).

6. The movable projector cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inclination angle (α) of the shelf (24) is between 8 degrees and 20 degrees.

7. 7. The movable projector cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the projector space (40) is a wedge-shaped space whose height increases from the front wall side to the rear wall side in at least a portion of the projector space (40).

8. 5. The movable projector cabinet of claim 4, wherein the fan (20) is configured to draw air from the projector space (40) and blow the air outside the projector cabinet.

9. 5. The movable projector cabinet of claim 4, wherein the fan (20) is configured to provide an air flow through an opening (11) in the front wall (8) to provide cooling air to the projector space (40).

10. 10. The movable projector cabinet according to claim 1, wherein a handle opening (17) is arranged in each of the first side wall (4) and the second side wall (5) to provide an air flow path from outside the projector cabinet to the projector space (40).

11. The movable projector cabinet of claim 10, which is derived from claim 4, wherein the fan (20) is configured to realize a first air flow to the projector space (40) through an opening (11) in the front wall (8) and a second air flow to the projector space (40) through the handle opening (17), and the handle opening (17) is disposed in the first side wall (4) and the second side wall (5) at a distance from the front wall (8).

12. 5. The movable projector cabinet of claim 4, wherein a temperature sensor (39) is disposed in the projector space (40), and the operation of the fan (20) is configured to be controlled based on a signal or information of the temperature sensor (39).

13. The movable projector cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a connection panel (26) is arranged within the projector cabinet.

14. The movable projector cabinet of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the projector space (40) of the projector cabinet is configured to accommodate a laser projector.

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