JPH10325731A - Image information unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance display performance and operability by a structure wherein the display section and the operating panel section are contained in a containing box or drawn out therefrom while being interlocked so that they can be contained integrally. SOLUTION: The display section 1 and the operating panel section 2 are contained in a containing box 3 or drawn out therefrom while being interlocked. The display body section 11 comprises a screen 13 for displaying the image data representative of the current conditions of road or the position of its own automobile disposed on the front 11a facing the driver side. A rectangular prism operating panel body 21 has a front 21a arranged with operating buttons 23. Under contained state, the display screen 13, the operating buttons 23 and an infrared transmitting section are concealed on the inside of the containing box 3 and only the open/close button 14 of the display body 11, the side face 11b having an infrared receiving section 15 and the rear side face 21c of the operating panel body 21 are exposed to the outside. Consequently, the display screen 13 and the operating buttons 23 are protected and erroneous function of the operating buttons 23 is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a retractable video information device in a car navigation system.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a car navigation system, which has been rapidly spread, aims at grasping the current road conditions and the position of the vehicle when driving the vehicle. In this use, the video information device is installed in the driver's cab, and the driver operates the operation buttons while watching the display screen. In this video information device, in order to protect the display screen and the operation buttons, when not in use, the display unit in which the display screen and the operation buttons are integrally arranged is stored in a storage box forming a housing, Some are retractable.

[0002]

However, there is a standard for the size of the outer shape of the video information equipment. In the above case, it is necessary to first enlarge the display screen within the range of the standard. Each operation button is reduced in size, and the arrangement position of the operation buttons and the like becomes a peripheral portion of the display screen. As a result, displayability can be ensured, but operability is sacrificed.

[0003] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is capable of integrally storing a display unit and an operation panel unit provided separately, ensuring displayability.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable video information device having good operability.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention takes the following measures. The invention according to claim 1 includes a display unit, an operation panel unit, and a storage box capable of storing the display unit and the operation panel unit, and the display unit and the operation panel unit interlock with the storage box. A structure that can be taken in and out is adopted. With this configuration, the display unit and the operation panel unit provided separately can be housed integrally, ensuring displayability and improving operability.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the display section is taken out of the storage box,
The orientation of the screen is changed so that the screen can be fixed at an arbitrary position. With this configuration, the position of the display screen can be adjusted so that the driver can most easily see it.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as the first or second aspect of the present invention, the operation panel portion has a configuration in which the operation surface is fixed at a specific position when the operation panel portion is taken out of the storage box. . With this configuration, it is possible to make the positions of the operation buttons and the like easy to be operated by the driver when they are taken out of the storage box.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the operation panel section is configured to be detachable when taken out of the storage box. With this configuration, the operation panel unit can be separated from the main body, and can be remotely operated by a remote controller.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a use state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a plan view, (b)
Is a side view.

The video information apparatus can house a display unit 1 for displaying image data, an operation panel unit 2 for performing operations for displaying various image data on a display screen, and a display unit 1 and an operation panel unit 2. It mainly comprises a storage box 3 and a drive unit 4 for mechanically moving the display unit 1 and the operation panel unit 2.

The display unit 1 includes a display body 1
1 and a display support portion 12 attached to the storage box 3 and supporting the display main body 11. As shown in FIG. 1, a display body 11 having a rectangular parallelepiped has a display screen 13 for displaying image data of a current road condition and a position of a vehicle on a front surface 11a facing a driver at the time of use. An open / close button (hereinafter, referred to as an “O / C button”) 1 relating to taking in and out of the display unit and the operation panel unit is sometimes provided at the center of the side surface 11b that faces upward.
4 and an infrared receiving unit 15 for receiving a signal from the operation panel unit 2. Further, the display supporting portion 12 having a flat shape has a rotating shaft 16 on the opening side of the storage box 3, and the display main body 11 is rotatably fixed to the side surface 11 c opposite to the side surface 11 b of the display main body 11. .

The operation panel unit 2 includes an operation panel main body 21.
And an operation panel support portion 22 attached to the storage box 3 and supporting the operation panel body 21. The operation panel main body 21 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape has a front surface 21 facing the driver side during use.
1A, a relatively large operation button 23 considering operability is provided, and an infrared transmission unit 24 for transmitting a signal to the display unit 1 is provided on a side surface 21b facing the back of the storage box 3 when stored. Further, the operation panel support 22 having a flat plate shape has a rotation shaft 25 on the opening side of the storage box 3, and the operation panel main body 21 is rotatably fixed to the side surface 21b.

In the use state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display main body 11 and the operation panel main body 21 are entirely exposed to the outside. In this state, the display body 1
The position of the display screen 13 can be adjusted so that the driver can most easily view the display screen 13 by rotating the display screen 1 around the rotation shaft 16 and fixing the display screen 13 at an arbitrary position. Further, the operation panel body 21 rotates about the rotation shaft 25 by its own weight, is fixed at a specific position by the stopper 26, and the position of the operation buttons 23 becomes a position where the driver can easily operate.
Thereby, the display performance can be satisfied with a large display, and the operability can also be satisfied.

On the other hand, when the video information device is not used, the display unit 1 and the operation panel unit 2 are stored in the storage box 3. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a stored state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a stored state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a plan view and (b) is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display screen 13, the operation buttons 23, and the infrared transmitting
Are hidden inside the storage box 3 and exposed to the outside by the O / C button 14 and the infrared receiving unit 15 of the display main body 11.
And only the side surface 21c opposite to the side surface 21b of the operation panel main body 21. Thereby, the display screen 13 and the operation buttons 23 are protected, and erroneous operation of the operation buttons 23 can be prevented.

Next, the mounting relationship between the display unit 1, the operation panel unit 2, and the storage box 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage box 3 serving as a housing is provided on its inner side surfaces 32a and 32b with its bottom surface 3a.
The grooves 33a, 33b are provided at the same height and in parallel from 1 and grooves 34a, 34b are provided therebelow.
12a, 12b of both side portions of the groove 33a, 33b
The parts 22a, 2a and 2b of the both sides of the operation panel support 22
2b engages with grooves 34a and 34b, respectively. This allows
The display unit 1 and the operation panel unit 2 are respectively
Can be slid in parallel to the bottom surface 31.

Next, the configuration of the driving section 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the driving unit 4 is disposed inside the storage box 3 and includes a driving motor 4.
1, a ball screw unit 42 for moving the display unit 1 back and forth, a belt unit 43 for transmitting the output of the drive motor 41 to the ball screw unit 42, and a belt unit 43 for transmitting the output of the drive motor 41 to the rack unit 45. Gear part 44 of
And a rack unit 45 for moving the operation panel unit 2 back and forth.

The drive motor 41 has two output shafts 41a and 41b protruding from opposite surfaces.
a, 41b are attached to the back side of the inner bottom surface 31 of the storage box 3 so as to be parallel to both inner side surfaces 32a, 32b of the storage box 3, and convert electric energy sent from an AC power source (not shown) into mechanical energy. And output shafts 41a, 41b
To rotate.

The ball screw portion 42 includes a ball screw main body 42.
a and a nut 42b screwed into the ball screw main body 42a. The ball screw main body 42a is rotatably mounted at both ends thereof by bearings 46a, 46b fixed to the bottom surface 31 of the storage box 3 so as to be parallel to both inner side surfaces 32a, 32b of the storage box 3. Also, nut 42b
Is attached to the display support portion 12 and moves linearly in conjunction with the rotation of the ball screw main body 42a.

A belt 43 is hung between the output shaft 41a of the drive motor 41 and the ball screw main body 42a, and the rotation of the output shaft 41a is transmitted to the ball screw main body 42a by the tension thereof. The display unit 1 slidably mounted in the casing 3 moves linearly with the nut 42b. Thus, the rotation of the drive motor 41 causes the display unit 1 to rotate.
Can be put in and out.

The gear portion 44 meshes with a bevel gear 44a concentrically fixed to the output shaft 41b, a shaft 44b vertically rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the storage box 3, and a bevel gear 44a. Bevel gear 44c concentrically fixed
And the storage box 3 from the bevel gear 44c concentrically with the shaft 44b.
A spur gear 44d fixed to the bottom surface of the housing 3, a shaft 44e vertically rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the storage box 3, and a spur gear 44
and a spur gear 44f meshed with the rack 44 and concentrically with the shaft 44e. The rotation of the output shaft 41b is
The power is transmitted to the spur gear 44f.

The rack 45 is fixed to the operation panel support portion 22 so that the tooth surface is parallel to both inner side surfaces 32a and 32b of the storage box 3 and is on the drive motor 41 side.
And linearly moves in conjunction with the rotation of the spur gear 44f. Accordingly, the operation panel unit 2 can be moved in and out by the rotation of the drive motor 41.

Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the operation of the video information device having the above configuration from the storage state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the use state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

First, when the O / C button 14 is pressed in the storage state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a recognition signal is sent to a control unit (not shown). Next, the control unit (not shown) having received the recognition signal sends a constant pulse of electric energy from an AC power supply (not shown) to the drive motor 41, and
Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy,
The output shafts 41a and 41b of the drive motor 41 rotate by a fixed number (hereinafter, referred to as "forward rotation").

Next, the forward rotation of the output shaft 41a is transmitted to the ball screw main body 42a via the belt portion 43, and the ball screw main body 42a rotates forward and the nut 4 screwed thereto.
2b and display support 1 to which nut 42b is attached
2 moves straight to the opening side of the storage box 3 following the grooves 33a, 33b provided on both inner side surfaces 32a, 32b of the storage box 3,
The display main body 11 rotatably attached to the rotation shaft 16 of the display support 12 is pushed out.

At the same time, the forward rotation of the output shaft 41b is rotated by the bevel gear 44a concentrically fixed to the output shaft 41b and the shaft 44b.
The transmission is transmitted to the shaft 44b by meshing with the bevel gear 44c concentrically fixed to the shaft 44e, and further the shaft 44e is meshed with the spur gear 44d concentrically fixed to the shaft 44b.
To the spur gear 44f concentrically fixed to the
Rack 45 and operation panel support 22 meshing with 4f
However, due to the rotation of the spur gear 44f, both inner side surfaces 3 of the storage box 3
Following the grooves 34a, 34b provided in the 2a, 32b, it goes straight to the opening side of the storage box 3, and the rotation shaft 25 of the operation panel support 22 and the operation panel body 21 rotatably mounted.
Is pushed out in conjunction with the display body 11.

The drive motor 41 is stopped after rotating by a certain number in the forward direction, and at the same time, the display unit 1, the operation panel unit 2 and the other drive unit 4 are also stopped. Operation panel body 21
When pushed out, it is rotated by its own weight about the rotating shaft 25 and stopped by the stopper 26.

Next, the driver rotates the display main body 11 about the rotation shaft 16 and stops the display main body 11 at a position easy to see.
The use state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is set. In this state, the video information device is operated by the operation buttons 23 of the operation panel body 21.

In the above configuration, transmission and reception of signals between the operation panel main body 21 and the display main body 11 are performed by the infrared transmitting section 24 of the operation panel main body 21 and the infrared receiving section 15 of the display main body 11. In this case, it is also possible to make the operation panel main body 21 detachable and separate the operation panel main body 21 from the main body in the use state shown in FIG. 1 to perform remote control.

Next, in the video information device having the above configuration,
The operation from the use state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the housed state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described.

First, when the O / C button 14 is pressed in the use state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a recognition signal is sent to a control unit (not shown). Next, the control unit (not shown) having received the recognition signal sends a constant pulse of electric energy from an AC power supply (not shown) to the drive motor 41, and
Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy,
The output shafts 41a and 41b of the drive motor 41 rotate by a certain number in a direction opposite to the previous direction (hereinafter, referred to as "reverse rotation").

Next, the reverse rotation of the output shaft 41a is transmitted to the ball screw main body 42a via the belt portion 43, and the ball screw main body 42a rotates in the reverse direction, and the nut 4 screwed thereto.
2b and display support 1 to which nut 42b is attached
2 moves straight to the back of the storage box 3 following the grooves 33a and 33b provided on both inner side surfaces 32a and 32b of the storage box 3, and is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft 16 of the display support unit 12. The display main body 11 is stored in the storage box 3.

At the same time, the reverse rotation of the output shaft 41b causes the bevel gear 44a and the shaft 44b to be concentrically fixed to the output shaft 41b.
The transmission is transmitted to the shaft 44b by meshing with the bevel gear 44c concentrically fixed to the shaft 44e, and further the shaft 44e is meshed with the spur gear 44d concentrically fixed to the shaft 44b.
To the spur gear 44f concentrically fixed to the
Rack 45 and operation panel support 22 meshing with 4f
However, due to the rotation of the spur gear 44f, both inner side surfaces 3 of the storage box 3
Following the grooves 34a, 34b provided in the 2a, 32b, it goes straight to the back of the storage box 3, and the rotation shaft 25 of the operation panel support 22 and the operation panel body 21 rotatably mounted.
Are stored in the storage box 3 in conjunction with the display main body 11.

The drive motor 41 is rotated after a predetermined number of reverse rotations and then stopped. At the same time, the display unit 1, the operation panel unit 2 and the other drive units 4 are also stopped, and the storage state shown in FIGS.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the display unit is driven by the ball screw and the operation panel unit is driven by the rack and the gear is described.
In the present invention, as long as the display unit and the operation panel unit can be moved in and out of the storage box in conjunction with each other, other means may be employed as the driving unit of the display unit and the operation panel unit.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the transmission and reception of signals between the display unit and the operation panel unit are performed by infrared communication is described. However, in the present invention, the display unit and the operation panel unit are connected to each other. Electrical connection may be made, and a signal may be electrically transmitted between the two.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the display and the operation panel provided separately can be integrally housed, the display performance is ensured and the operability is improved. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing a use state of a video information device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a usage state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing a storage state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary sectional view showing a storage state of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting relationship between the display unit, the operation panel unit, and the storage box of the video information device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display part 2 Operation panel part 3 Storage box 4 Drive part 11 Display main body 12 Display support part 13 Display screen 14 Open / close button 15 Infrared receiving part 21 Operation panel main body 22 Operation panel support part 23 Operation buttons 24 Infrared transmission part

Claims (4)

[Claims] A display unit, an operation panel unit, and a storage box capable of storing the display unit and the operation panel unit, wherein the display unit and the operation panel unit are movable in and out of the storage box. Video information equipment characterized by the following. 2. The video information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit changes its screen direction when taken out of the storage box and can be fixed at an arbitrary position. 3. The video information device according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel is fixed at a specific position when the operation panel is taken out of the storage box. 4. The video information device according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel section is detachable when taken out of the storage box.