WO2007131938A1

WO2007131938A1 - Support device particularly for a portable apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007131938A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/054534
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axel Lehovetzki; Olivier Dhervilly
Original assignee: Viamichelin
Priority date: 2006-05-16
Filing date: 2007-05-10
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Also published as: FR2901207A1

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention relates to a support device (1) for a personal navigation system portable apparatus (100), for mounting said apparatus in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, which device comprises means (2b) for guiding the apparatus, means (3) for locking the apparatus once it has been mounted on the support device, means (4) for releasing the apparatus and means (5, 6) for removing the apparatus by automatically releasing the apparatus. The means for removing the apparatus advantageously comprise a drawer (5) movable between a position in which the apparatus is locked and a position in which the apparatus can be removed, and provided with a first abutment (6) enabling the removal of the apparatus.

Description

DEVICE SUPPORTING PARTICULARLY FOR PORTABLE APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a support device in particular for a personal navigation system.

This support device is adapted to attach to a dashboard of an automobile or the inside of the windshield of said automobile. The device, of the type comprising an electronic box provided with a front panel provided with a display and function keys, must remain in view of a user such as a motorist, when it is arranged on the support device and be easily removable.

Support devices for portable devices adapted to be fixed on a dashboard or a vehicle windshield are known and in particular, US 6 749 160 B1 discloses a support device comprising a suction foot, a flexible rod and a support plate , the support plate comprising means for fixing an apparatus consisting of complementary lugs of housing made in a rear face of the device. In addition to the fact that such a device is difficult to use for portable devices of large mass, because the flexible rod will transmit vibrations and the device will oscillate under the effect of its weight and jolts of the road, the fastening means pins and housing on a plate disposed at the end of the flexible rod of this prior art device make it difficult to install and remove the device, the operator is often obliged to use a hand to hold the rod and the other hand to apply or remove the device and having to judge the correct positioning of the pins in the housing.

The object of the present invention is to propose a support device provided with means for attaching an improved portable device and easy to use. In particular, the support device according to the invention makes it possible to carry out the operations of placing and removing the apparatus with one hand and offers a robust and guided maintenance of the apparatus, on the one hand during these operations and, d on the other hand as long as this apparatus is positioned on the support of the invention. In addition, guiding the device during its installation and removal makes it possible to automatically connect and disconnect the device with peripheral electronics integrated in the support device of the invention.

For this purpose, the present invention provides a support device for a personal navigation system device and for fixing this device in the passenger compartment of a vehicle which comprises means for guiding the device, means for locking the device. apparatus at the end of attachment of the apparatus to the support device, means for unlocking the apparatus and means for extracting the automatic release apparatus from the apparatus.

Advantageously, the extraction means comprise a movable slide, between a locking position of the apparatus and an extraction position of the apparatus, and provided with a first stop, for extracting the apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the unlocking means comprise an operating button acting on the locking means. The invention makes it possible in particular to perform, with one hand, both the coupling of the device with the support device by a simple push on the device that the extraction / disconnection of the device from the device. support by a simple push on the unlocking means and traction on the device. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings which represent: in FIG. 1: a perspective view of three quarter face of a portable device received on a support device according to the invention; in Figure 2: the support device and the apparatus of Figure 1 in perspective of three quarter back; in FIG. 3: an exploded perspective view three quarter front of the support device of FIG. 1; in FIG. 4: an exploded perspective view of three quarter rear of the device and the apparatus of FIG. 1; in FIG. 5: a sectional side view of the device of FIG. 1 in the waiting position for receiving a portable device; in Figure 6: a side view in section of the device of Figure 1 device mounted on the support and locked.

Figure 1 shows a support device according to the invention with a portable device mounted.

The support device 1 according to the example shown is a docking station for a portable personal navigation system device 100 and includes a suction foot 20, for example to fix the device on a dashboard or windshield d ' a vehicle, a ball 21, which allows to orient the device 100 fixed on the support device facing a user, an arm

22, a main body 40, a support base 23 on which abuts the lower part of the apparatus 100 and a loudspeaker 24.

The apparatus 100 shown is a personal navigation system including maps and traffic information and operates with a GPS receiver.

This apparatus comprises a housing, a screen 101 for viewing a map or a route, and control buttons 102.

The apparatus contains an electronics 103 shown in FIG. 6 controlling the various functions of the apparatus.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 show an electronic card 25 integrated in the main body 40 of the support device and containing, for example, a satellite GPS receiver module for locating satellites. In addition to the GPS module, the support device may comprise an integrated GPS antenna, and an amplifier module or the like intended to interconnect with the electronics of the apparatus as well as a loudspeaker for announcing the navigation instructions and a receiver for road traffic data. The electronics of the apparatus and of the support are connected by connector elements 13, 104 making it possible to transfer electrical signals and data transmitted by the GPS head integrated in the support from one to the other and to provide a power supply to the personal navigation system device through the support. According to FIG. 3, the support device 1 comprises guiding means 2b of the personal navigation system apparatus 100 to allow attachment and maintenance of the apparatus on the support device.

The guiding means 2b are first means of a device with grooves 2a tabs 2b for assembling the portable apparatus with the support device, the grooves formed in the rear face of the apparatus being shown in FIG.

The installation of the device on the support device comprises the insertion of the tabs 2b of the support device in the grooves 2a of the device by sliding the device up and down until the underside of the device come to rest on the base 23.

The electrical connector element 13 for connecting the electronics of the device is an end connector, disposed in the base 24, along a sliding axis of the device defined by the assembly device 2a, 2b. Thus the apparatus, to be received by and connected to the support device, is slid on the tabs until connection of the end connector 13 with the connector 104 disposed in the lower face of the device.

To securely hold the device on the support device and to avoid any inadvertent disconnection of the electronics of the device and the support device, the device according to the invention comprises locking means 3 of the device at the end of mounting of the device on the support device.

Said locking means comprise a trigger 8 with pin 3, shown for example in the unlocked position in FIG. 5 and in the locking position of the device in FIG. 4, mounted on a rotary axis 26 in the support device, the pin 3 coming from insert into a horizontal groove element 2c of the apparatus.

The device according to the invention further comprises unlocking means 4 of the apparatus and extraction means 5, 6 of the automatic release device of the apparatus. The extraction means comprise a movable drawer 5, represented in particular by three quarter faces in FIG. 3 and three quarter rear in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3 in particular, the movable drawer is a vertical drawer received in a vertical slot 28 made in a plate 27 of support of the rear face of the device against the support device between the retaining tabs 2b of the device.

The drawer 5 is vertically movable in the slot between a locking position of the apparatus and an extraction position of the apparatus and the drawer is provided in its lower part with a first stop 6, for extracting the apparatus.

As seen above, Figure 5 shows the device according to the invention with the detent pin in the unlocked position.

In this position, the drawer is shown in the extraction position of the device, the stop 6 being raised relative to the base 23 to lift the device. Advantageously, the drawer is naturally in the extraction position of the apparatus and to do this, the device shown comprises a first spring element 7 for pushing the movable drawer in the extraction position of the apparatus.

This spring element 7, shown in FIG. 4, is a spring of flat spring type. It comprises a domed central portion, received between a partition 29 and a pin 30 protruding towards the rear of the drawer perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slide, and has flat ends inserted and held in slots made in partitions 31, 32 to the back of the plate 27.

The first spring is made so that having its ends held, its domed central portion of the first spring 7 pushes the drawer 5 upwards.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises a second spring element 9, for restoring the trigger 8 in the locking position of the device shown in FIG. 4. According to this figure, the spring element 9 comprises two spiral springs mounted on an axis 33. The springs comprise first end branches coming to bear against the rear of the plate 27 and second end branches coming to rest in gutters 34 made on the sides of the trigger 8 to constrain the trigger to turn on its axis 26 to the locking position for which the lug 3 of the trigger protrudes into the receiving zone of the device on the front of the plate 27.

As will be seen below, the slide and the detent operate in opposition, the first and second spring elements 7, 9 being arranged so that the first spring pushes the drawer to the unlocking and release position. the device while the second spring pushes the trigger in the locking position of the device.

With reference to FIG. 6, where the locked device is shown on its support, it can be seen that a free end of the slide constitutes a second stop which rests, in the locking position of the device, against a first shoulder

11, stop the trigger, so as to maintain the drawer 5 in the locking position of the device.

This position is reached, after the apparatus has been placed on the support, by pushing the first stopper 6 of the drawer 5 downwards until the lower face of the apparatus is placed on the base and that the first shoulder of the trigger, pushed forward by the second spring, snapped with the second stop of the drawer.

In this position, the drawer is immobilized by the trigger in the low position, the lug 3 of the trigger 8 being inserted into the horizontal groove 2c of the device which locks the device.

In FIG. 5, representing the device in the extraction position of the device or waiting to receive the device, it can be seen that the trigger 8 comprises a second shoulder 14.

This shoulder 14 is shown disposed, in the extraction position, bearing on the second stop 10.

In this position, the drawer is in the up position, the recoil of the trigger having enabled the release of the drawer by the first shoulder and the sliding up of the drawer under the action of the first spring element 7.

When coupling the device with the support device, a thrust of the device on the first stop 6 towards the locking position disengages the second stop 10 of the second shoulder 14 and positions the trigger 8, recalled by the second element spring 9, in the locking position of the device. This locking position is the position shown in FIG.

As explained above, the slide and the detent are relatively relatively to each other to operate in opposition, the retraction downward of the drawer allowing the coming of the trigger in the locking position while the recoil of the trigger allows the rise of the drawer and the extraction of the apparatus.

To allow movement of the detent of the locking positon to the unlocking position, the unlocking means comprise a operating button 4 acting on the locking means constituted by the trigger 8.

The operating button is for example shown in Figures 3 and 4 exploded views. The link between the operating knob 4 and the locking means 8 comprises an inclined cam path 12 in which a rod 35 is moved in holes at the end of the tabs 36 coming from the operating pushbutton 4.

This inclined cam path is formed in the top of the trigger so that pressing the actuating button angularly moves the locking means constituted by the trigger 8 mounted on its axis 26, a locking position of the apparatus and stopping the extraction means to a position of unlocking the apparatus and releasing the extraction means.

When the button is pushed down, the rod 35 slides in the cam path 12 so that the trigger tilts backwards about its axis 26 which, as we saw above, allows the first shoulder 11 of the trigger to fade before the second stop 10 of the drawer and thus allows the drawer to go back to the extraction position of the device under the action of the first spring 7.

In the locked position, the slide 5 and the trigger 8 are held in mutual support by the constraint of the first spring 7 on the slide 5, the stress of the second stop 10 on the first shoulder 11 and the stress of the second spring member 9 on the trigger 8 while pressing the operating button releases the first stop of the first shoulder and releases the drawer which is then able to move to the release position of the device.

Thus, the device according to the invention comprises means for guiding the device arranged so as to allow coupling of the device and the support device by sliding the device on a tab rail 2b, locking means 3 of the apparatus at the end of mounting of the apparatus on the support device, unlocking means 4 of the apparatus and extraction means 5, 6 of the automatic release apparatus of the apparatus. In addition, the locking means and the extraction means are mounted in mutual interference in order to, in cooperation, define two positions one locking the device, the other extraction and release of the device.

This device allows the user to perform both the installation and extraction of the device with one hand without risk of false operation and bad connection between the device and the docking station, constituted by the support, during installation of the device on the support and without risk of causing the device to fall when it is removed from the support, the apparatus remaining guided by the guide means after its release by the expansion and its thrust by the first stop.

The invention is not limited to the example shown and in particular the support device may comprise an articulated arm instead of or in addition to the ball while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S

1 - Support device (1) of a portable device personal navigation system (100) and attachment of this device in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises guide means (2b) of the apparatus, locking means (3) of the apparatus at the end of mounting of the apparatus on the support device, unlocking means (4) of the apparatus and extraction means (5, 6) of the automatic release device of the device.

2 - support device according to claim 1 characterized in that the extraction means comprise a movable slide (5), between a locking position of the apparatus and an extraction position of the apparatus, and provided with a first stop (6), extraction of the device.

3 - support device according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises a first spring element (7) for pushing the movable drawer in the extraction position of the device.

4 - support device according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said locking means comprises a detent (8) pin (3).

5 - support device according to claim 4 characterized in that it comprises a second spring element (9) for biasing the trigger (8) in the locking position of the device.

6 - Support device according to claims 2 and 4 for which a free end of the slide is a second stop (10) which is supported in the locking position of the device against a first shoulder (11), stopping the trigger, so as to keep the drawer (5) in the locking position of the device.

7 - Support device according to claims 2 and 5 for which the trigger (8) has a second shoulder (14) disposed in the extraction position, bearing on the second stop (10) and for which, a thrust of the device on the first stop (6) to the locking position releases the second stop (10) of the second shoulder (14) and positions the trigger (8), biased by the second spring member (9), in the locking position of the 'apparatus.

8 - support device according to one of claims 1 to 7 for which the unlocking means comprise an operating knob (4) acting on the locking means (8). 9 - support device according to claim 8 for which a connection between the operating knob (4) and the locking means (8) comprises an inclined cam path (12) so that the pressing on the operating knob moves the angularly locking means, a locking position of the apparatus and stopping the extraction means to an unlocked position of the apparatus and releasing the extraction means.

10 - support device according to one of the preceding claims wherein the guide means (2b) are a first means of a device for assembling the portable device with the groove support device (2a) tabs (2b).

11 - Support device according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises an end electrical connector element (13) along a sliding axis of the device defined by the connecting device (2a, 2b).

12 - device according to claims 6 and 8 for which the slide (5) and the trigger (8) are, in the locking position, held in mutual engagement by the constraint of the first spring (7) on the slide (5), the stress of the second stop (10) on the first shoulder (11) and the stress of the second spring element (9) on the trigger (8), and for which pressing on the operating knob releases the first stop of the first shoulder and releases the drawer which is then able to move to the release position of the device.

13 - support device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises an electronic card 25 integrated in the main body 40 of the support device and intended to be connected to an electronic device personal navigation system 100. 14 - support device according to claim 13 characterized in that the electronic card 25 comprises a GPS module for receiving satellite location data.

15 - support device according to claim 13 or 14 characterized in that it comprises an integrated GPS antenna.