Apparatus for storing and moving a projector
A device with a movable storage unit and drive mechanism ensures consistent image quality and space-efficient storage for projectors by allowing precise positioning between storage and projection positions, addressing the challenges of short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YOSIEF NERAYO
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing projectors, particularly short-throw and ultra-short-throw models, face challenges in maintaining consistent image quality due to complex adjustments and potential geometry disturbances when repositioned, and often require significant space for correct projection distance, which can increase furniture dimensions.
A device comprising a storage unit with a base plate and drive mechanism that allows translational and rotational movement, enabling the projector to be positioned close to the projection surface in storage and accurately moved to a consistent projection position, using electric motors or manual mechanisms, with integrated sensors and control units for precise positioning.
Enables space-saving storage and consistent image quality by ensuring reproducible positioning of the projector, allowing it to be positioned correctly for projection without increasing furniture size, suitable for short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025083268_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Device for storing and moving a projector
[0002] Technical field of the invention
[0003] The invention relates to a method for moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position, and to a device that can be used for this purpose.
[0004] State of the art
[0005] Projectors are well-known devices for displaying films or presentations. The image is created by a light source shining onto an imaging medium and focused onto a projection surface via optics. Depending on the optics and projection technology used, factors such as the distance between the projector and the projection surface, as well as the size of the projected image, can vary.
[0006] Especially in the field of consumer electronics, projectors are frequently used that must be positioned several meters away from the projection surface. This places particular demands on the installation location and creates problems such as the darkening of the image if a person or object is located in the area between the projector and the projection surface.
[0007] So-called short-throw or ultra-short-throw projectors circumvent this problem through special lenses and mirror optics that allow the image to be transmitted to the projection surface from a very short distance. Such devices can be positioned very close to a projection surface, typically only a few centimeters away. However, adjusting the optics of short-throw and ultra-short-throw projectors is more complex than with projectors that project their image over greater distances, and therefore image geometry disturbances can occur more quickly, for example, when the projector's position is changed. Projectors are frequently used as a special playback medium for showing films, special sporting events, or similar content, but not necessarily for everyday use. It is therefore often desirable for the projector to be out of direct view when not in use, i.e., moved or covered.
[0008] Particularly well-known are pieces of furniture into which a projector is embedded and which have one or more sliding covers that conceal the projector when not in use and can be slid to the side for image projection. Furniture is also known that includes a lifting device with which a projector can be raised vertically from the furniture body for image projection and retracted back into the furniture body when not in use. In both cases, however, the projector must be positioned within the furniture at the correct projection distance to the projection surface, which sometimes increases the size of the furniture, especially its depth, beyond normal dimensions.
[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position, and a device that can be used for this purpose, wherein in particular the distance between the projector and the projection surface is less in the storage position than in the projection position, and wherein the projector is reliably moved to the same projection position every time, so that consistent image quality is enabled.
[0010] Summary of the invention
[0011] According to the invention, these objectives are achieved primarily through the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are also apparent from the dependent claims and the description.
[0012] In particular, some of the above-mentioned objectives are achieved by a device for moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position, comprising a storage unit, comprising a base plate, the base plate comprising recesses and / or fastening means for attaching a projector to the storage unit, and the storage unit being configured such that the storage unit is movable along at least one linear axis of movement, and a drive device connected to the storage unit in such a way that the storage unit is movable along the at least one linear axis of movement by means of the drive device, wherein the drive device and the storage unit are connectable to each other in such a way that the storage unit is rotatable relative to the at least one linear axis of movement.Preferably, the storage unit is rotatable by substantially 90° relative to the at least one linear axis of movement.
[0013] The storage unit's translational and rotational movement allows the orientation of a projector attachable to it to be changed between the storage position and the projection position. This enables, in particular, space-saving vertical storage of a projector, with the at least one linear axis of movement also oriented vertically, while the projector can be moved into a horizontal position for projection using the device according to the invention. In this way, the storage position can be positioned close to a projection surface, such as a wall or screen, and in the projection position, the projector is still sufficiently far from the projection surface to achieve good image quality and projection diagonal.The device according to the invention is preferably suitable for moving a so-called short-throw projector or ultra-short-throw projector.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the drive device comprises at least one electric motor as a drive element, with which the storage unit can be moved along the at least one linear axis of motion. Alternatively, manual movement of the storage unit along the at least one linear axis of motion, for example via a crank mechanism, a pull mechanism, or similar methods, is also possible. The drive device may further comprise additional drive elements, for example, further electric motors, to rotate the storage unit relative to the at least one linear axis of motion.
[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the drive device comprises a linear drive and a scissor mechanism, via which the rotational motion of the electric motor can be converted into a linear motion along the at least one linear axis of motion. However, the drive device can also include other and / or additional components, such as telescopic rods, chain or belt drives, hydraulic or pneumatic pistons, spring-loaded mechanisms, and the like.
[0016] Advantageously, the rotational movement of the storage unit can be coupled to the movement of the storage unit along the at least one linear axis of motion via suitable transmission means, in particular gears and / or racks. For this purpose, first transmission means can be arranged on or connected to the storage unit, and second transmission means, corresponding to the first transmission means, can be arranged at a fixed point of the drive device or otherwise immovably with respect to the movement of the drive unit. In this way, both the linear movement along the at least one linear axis of motion and the rotational movement relative to the at least one linear axis of motion can be realized with a single drive.
[0017] In one embodiment, the device for moving a projector includes a sensor system with which the position of the drive device and / or the storage unit can be determined and output as a measured value.
[0018] An advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises a control unit which is operatively connected to a sensor system for determining the position of the drive device and / or the storage unit and the drive device in such a way that the movement of the storage unit along the at least one linear axis can be manipulated depending on a measured value from the sensor system. Such control of the position of the drive device can be carried out iteratively based on the measured value output by the sensor system, so that the storage unit can be moved reproducibly into the projection position.
[0019] In one embodiment, the device can be integrated into a piece of furniture. The device according to the invention that can be integrated into the furniture advantageously comprises a cover element which, in the storage position, is essentially flush with a surface of the furniture. The device that can be integrated into a piece of furniture is conceivable as a module detached from the furniture, which can be integrated into a wide variety of furniture without requiring any specific pre-fitting, such as mounting points, feedthroughs, or the like. Such furniture can be a shelf, a cabinet, a sideboard, a chest of drawers, a drawer, or the like, or preferably a so-called sideboard, and more preferably a so-called lowboard.
[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for using a device for storing a projector in a storage position and moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position, characterized in that the method comprises steps in which
[0021] A) the storage unit is moved by means of the drive device along at least one linear axis of movement,
[0022] B) the storage unit reaches a pivot point from which pivot point the movement along the at least one linear axis of movement is superimposed with a rotational movement about an axis of rotation,
[0023] C) the storage unit rotates about the axis of rotation relative to the at least one linear axis of motion, D) the storage unit reaches the projection position in which the base plate of the storage unit and the at least one linear axis of motion enclose an angle α. Preferably, the angle α is substantially 90°.
[0024] In one embodiment of the inventive method, steps A) to D) can be performed in reverse order. In this way, the storage unit can be moved from the projection position to the storage position.
[0025] Another aspect of the invention relates to a piece of furniture for storing a projector, comprising a device according to the invention for storing a projector in a storage position and for moving the projector between a storage position and a projection position. By integrating the device according to the invention for storing a projector in a storage position and for moving the projector between a storage position and a projection position into the furniture, the furniture can be designed to be particularly space-saving without negatively affecting the image quality or the diagonal of the projection.
[0026] Advantageously, the furniture also includes a screen onto which the image from the stored projector can be projected. This screen can be permanently installed or retractable.
[0027] Brief description of the drawings
[0028] The embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Identical elements are designated with the same reference numerals in all figures. The figures show:
[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention for storing and moving a projector; Figure 2 is a front view of a device according to the invention for storing and moving a projector.
[0030] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention for storing and moving a projector, which device is integrated into a piece of furniture and wherein the projector is in a storage position.
[0031] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention for storing and moving a projector, which device is integrated into a piece of furniture and wherein the projector is in a projection position.
[0032] Figures 5A to 5E show a schematic representation of the movement of a device according to the invention for storing and moving a projector from a storage position to a projection position, and
[0033] Figures 6A to 6E show a further schematic representation of the movement of a device according to the invention for storing and moving a projector from a storage position to a projection position.
[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention
[0035] Figure 1 schematically shows, in a perspective view, a device 1 for storing a projector (not shown) in a storage position and for moving the projector between a storage position and a projection position. The device 1 comprises a storage unit 10 with a base plate 11 to which a projector can be attached. The device 1 also comprises a drive device 20, the drive device 20 being connected to the storage unit 10 such that the storage unit 10, which is movable along a linear axis of motion 40, can be moved by the drive device 20 along this linear axis of motion 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive device 20 comprises a scissor mechanism 22, a linear drive 23, and an electric motor 27.The drive device 20 can also include other or additional components, such as telescopic rods, chain or belt drives, hydraulic or pneumatic pistons, spring-loaded mechanisms, and the like. The drive device 20 further comprises first guide means 26, which can engage with further guide means (not shown), for example, guide rods, to guide the movement of the drive device 20 or parts of the drive device 20 along the linear axis of motion 40.
[0036] The storage unit 10 and the drive device 20 are connected to each other such that the storage unit can be rotated by essentially 90° relative to the at least one linear axis of motion 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage unit 10 is connected to a shaft 13, which shaft 13 is rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 28 of the drive device 20, so that the storage unit 10 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 13 relative to the drive device 20. Furthermore, first transmission elements 24 in the form of gears 24a, 24b are arranged on the shaft 13 in a rotationally fixed manner.
[0037] Figure 2 shows a front view of the embodiment of the device 1 depicted in Figure 1, in which the recesses 12 in the base plate 11 for mounting a projector are particularly visible. Screws can be inserted through the recesses 12 into corresponding threads provided on the projector housing, thus attaching the projector to the base plate 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 12 are designed as elongated holes, which in particular allows for the mounting of different projectors with varying distances between the threads provided on the projector housing and / or flexible positioning of the projector on the base plate 11.
[0038] Figure 3 shows a device 1 for storing a projector in a storage position and for moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position. This device 1 is integrated into a piece of furniture 30, and the storage unit 10 of the device 1 includes a cover element 31. Figure 3 shows the device 1 in a storage position, with the cover element 31 flush with the surface 32, in this case the top, of the furniture 30. In the storage position, the device 1 and the stored projector are located within the body of the furniture 30, which can be a shelf, a cabinet, a sideboard, a chest of drawers, a drawer, or the like, or preferably a sideboard, and more preferably a lowboard.
[0039] The cover element 31 can be made of the same material as the surface 32 of the furniture 30, so that the device 1 blends into the appearance of the furniture 30 in the storage position.
[0040] Figure 4 shows the device 1 depicted in Figure 3 in a projection position, wherein the storage unit 10 is located substantially outside the body of the furniture 30, while the drive device 20 remains substantially inside the body. A projector (not shown) stored in the storage unit 10 is no longer enclosed by the furniture 30 in the projection position, so that its image can be projected onto a projection surface, for example, a wall or a screen.
[0041] Figures 5A to 5E schematically illustrate the movement of the device 1 from a storage position to a projection position for the purpose of moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position. In Figure 5A, the device is shown in the storage position. From this position, the storage unit 10 can be moved along a linear axis 40 by means of the drive device 20. Figure 5B shows the first part of this movement. Figure 5C shows the device 1 upon reaching a limit 21, beyond which the transmission means 24, 25 engage with each other in such a way that, through further movement of the storage unit 10 along the linear axis 40, the storage unit 10 also performs a rotational movement relative to the linear axis 40.Analogous to Figure 1, the first transmission means 24 in the illustrated embodiment are designed as gears 24a, 24b, which are arranged rotationally fixed on the shaft 13. The second transmission means 25 are designed as racks corresponding to the first transmission means 24 designed as gears 24a, 24b and are arranged, for example, on the furniture 30 or via a frame (not shown) at a fixed point of the drive device 20. It is conceivable that only a single or, as shown in Figure 1, several first transmission means 24 are arranged on the drive device 20 and are operatively connected to one or more corresponding second transmission means 25.
[0042] Figure 5D shows the further movement of the device 1, wherein the storage unit 20 continues to be moved along the linear axis 40 by the drive device 10 and simultaneously performs a rotational movement relative to the linear axis 40. Once the device 1 has reached the projection position shown in Figure 5E, its movement is stopped. For this purpose, the device 1 can include one or more limit switches and / or stops, which halt the movement of the drive device upon reaching the projection position and / or the storage position. To move the projector from the projection position back to the storage position, the movement shown in Figures 5A to 5E can be performed in reverse order.
[0043] The device 1 can further comprise a control unit (not shown) which controls the movement of the device 1. The control unit can include additional sensors that detect the position of the storage unit 10 and / or the drive device 20 and provide this information to the control unit, so that the control unit can manipulate the movement of the device 1, in particular the movement of the storage unit 10 along the linear axis 40 by means of the drive device 20. In this way, it is ensured in particular that the storage unit 10 can be moved reproducibly into the same projection position, so that, in particular, the relative position between a projector stored in the device 1 and a projection surface can be reproducibly restored.
[0044] Thanks to the transmission means 24, 25, the storage unit 10 can be moved both translationally along the linear axis 40 and rotationally relative to the linear axis 40 by the drive device 20. However, the device 1 can include a second drive device (not shown) for performing the rotational movement of the storage unit 10. Such a second drive device can be controlled via its own control unit or together with the drive device 20 via a common control unit.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Device (1) for storing a projector in a storage position and moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position, comprising - A storage unit (10) comprising a base plate (11), which base plate (11) comprises recesses and / or fastening means for attaching (12) a projector to the storage unit (10), and which storage unit (10) is configured such that the storage unit (10) is movable along at least one linear axis of movement (40), and - A drive device (20) which is connected to the storage unit (10) in such a way that the storage unit (10) can be moved along the at least one linear axis of movement (40) by means of the drive device (20), characterized by the fact that the drive device (20) and the storage unit (10) can be connected to each other in such a way that the storage unit (10) is rotatable relative to the at least one linear axis of motion (40).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive device (20) comprises at least one electric motor (27).
3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device (20) comprises a linear drive (23) and a scissor mechanism (22).
4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotational movement of the storage unit (10) is transmitted via suitable transmission means (24, 25), in particular one or more gears (24a, 24b) and / or one or more racks (25), with the Movement of the storage unit (10) along at least one linear axis of movement (40) can be coupled in operative connection.
5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) for moving a projector comprises a sensor system with the aid of which the position of the drive device (20) and / or the storage unit (10) can be determined and output as a measured value.
6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a control unit which is operatively connected to a sensor system for determining the position of the drive device (20) and / or the storage unit (10) and the drive device (20) in such a way that the movement of the storage unit (10) along the at least one linear axis (40) can be manipulated depending on a measured value of the sensor system.
7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (1) can be integrated into a piece of furniture (30).
8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the storage unit (10) comprises a cover element (31) which, in the storage position, is essentially flush with a surface (32) of the furniture (30).
9. Method for using a device (1) for storing a projector in a storage position and moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position, characterized in that the method comprises steps in which A) the storage unit (10) is moved by means of the drive device (20) along the at least one linear axis of movement (40), B) the storage unit (10) reaches a limit (21) from which limit (21) the movement along the at least one linear The axis of motion (40) is superimposed with a rotational movement about a rotational axis, C) the storage unit (10) rotates about the axis of rotation relative to the at least one linear axis of motion, D) the storage unit (10) reaches the projection position in which projection position the base plate (11) of the storage unit (10) and the at least one linear axis of movement enclose an angle (a).
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that steps A) to D) can be carried out in reverse order.
11. Furniture (30) for storing a projector comprising a device (1) for storing a projector in a storage position and moving a projector between a storage position and a projection position according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
12. Furniture (30) according to claim 10, characterized in that the furniture (30) comprises a screen onto which the image of the stored projector can be projected.