US20090085383A1 - Vehicle seat having an electronic display mounted thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back defining a rear side and a display assembly mounted on the seat back. The display assembly includes a display and a housing mounted on the rear side of the seat back. The housing defines a pocket. The seat assembly further includes a lifting mechanism connected between the housing and the display, wherein the lifting mechanism moves the display between a storage position within the pocket, and an extended position such that display is disposed out from the pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates in general to electronic displays which are mounted in vehicles. It is becoming more common in vehicles to include electronic displays for the showing of movies and other forms of video entertainment. It is known to mount these displays on the roof or headliner of the passenger compartment in which the display is pivotally mounted such that it may swing downwardly from a storage position into a viewing position. Although these displays have functioned well in the past, the size of displays is limited to a generally small dimension such that the driver's rear view is not overly blocked. It is also known to mount electronic displays in vehicle seats. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0174498 discloses a display mounted in a rear portion of headrest. This configuration is also limited since the display cannot be larger than the headrest in which it is mounted. Additionally, it is sometimes difficult to accommodate a display screen in a headrest which has an active headrest system, in which the headrest is automatically moved in a forward direction upon detection of an impending impact to help reduce neck, back, and head injuries to the seat occupant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to electronic displays in vehicles and in particular to a vehicle seat assembly including a seat back defining a rear side and a display assembly mounted on the seat back. The display assembly includes a display and a housing mounted on the rear side of the seat back. The housing defines a pocket. The seat assembly further includes a lifting mechanism connected between the housing and the display, wherein the lifting mechanism moves the display between a storage position within the pocket, and an extended position such that display is disposed out from the pocket
• Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly including a display mounted thereon which is shown in its storage position.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat assembly ofFIG. 1 with the display shown in its extended position.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a motorized lifting mechanism to move the display ofFIGS. 1 and 2 between its storage and extended positions.
• FIG. 4 is schematic perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a display assembly mounted on a vehicle seat back.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a lifting mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated inFIG. 1 a vehicle seat assembly, indicated generally at10. Theseat assembly10 includes aseat back12 pivotally mounted on aseat bottom14. Theseat assembly10 further includes adisplay assembly16 which includes anelectronic display20 for the viewing of video images thereon. In one embodiment, thedisplay assembly16 is incorporated or mounted on a seat back trim panel18 (shown stippled inFIGS. 1 and 2) which is attached to the rear of theseat back12.
• Thetrim panel18 defines a housing in which thedisplay assembly16 is mounted. Thetrim panel18 includes apocket24 having anopening26 through which thedisplay20 extends or retracts. Thedisplay20 is mounted within amounting housing17 which slides within thepocket24. The display20 (and housing17) is movable between a storage position within thepocket24, as shown inFIG. 1, and an extended position in which thedisplay20 is exterior of thepocket24 for viewing, as shown inFIG. 2. Thedisplay20 generally slides out of thepocket24 in a generally vertical direction when theseat back12 is in an upright position. When in the storage position, thedisplay20 is protected from inadvertent damage by being behind anouter panel21 of thepocket24. Theouter panel21 may be optionally reinforced to increase its rigidity to further protect thedisplay20. Thepocket24 may be integral with thetrim panel18 or may be separate therefrom.
• Thetrim panel18 can be made of any suitable material, such as a relatively rigid plastic material. Thetrim panel18 can cover the entire rear surface of the seat back12 (as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) or just a portion of theseat back12. Additionally, thetrim panel18 can cover side portions of theseat back12 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Thetrim panel18 anddisplay20 may be packaged as an aftermarket or dealer installed option such that they can be mounted on a seat back12 after the vehicle has been assembled. Thus, two different types ofseat assemblies10 are not required to be built depending on whether theseat assembly10 is to include adisplay assembly16 or not. Thetrim panel18 may include various features (not shown), such as lights, pockets, compartments, pull out tables, cargo retaining expandable netting, beverage holders, electronic devices, and electronic docking jacks for connecting audio, video, and computer equipment.
• Thedisplay assembly16 is preferably mounted at upper portions of theseat back12 such that when moved to the extended position thedisplay20 is relatively high in the vehicle passenger compartment. For example, in the extended position, thedisplay20 could be adjacent and behind aheadrest portion13 of theseat assembly10 and a portion of thedisplay20 may be above anupper edge15 of theseat back12. It is generally desirable for occupants to view a display which is at about eye level or higher to help avoid discomfort while the vehicle is moving. An advantage of thedisplay20 over conventional displays mounted in an overhead console attached to the roof of the passenger compartment is that the driver's rear vision is less blocked. An advantage of thedisplay20 over conventional displays mounted in seat headrests is that a larger display size can be accommodated. Additionally, it is sometimes difficult to accommodate a display screen in a headrest which has an active headrest system, in which the headrest is automatically moved in a forward direction upon detection of an impending impact to help reduce neck, back, and head injuries to the seat occupant.
• Thedisplay20 may be an electronic display capable of electronically displaying visual images such as for passengers of the vehicle seated behind theseat assembly10. Thedisplay20 may be any suitable mechanism for displaying images such as but not limited to a cathode ray tube screen, plasma screen, and liquid crystal screen. Thedisplay20 may be connected to any suitable component, indicated schematically at36, which transmits a video signal, such as for example, a DVD player, video cassette recorder, a digital video player, an audio video satellite system, a computer, and/or computer gaming system. Thus, thedisplay20 may be used not only for video entertainment purposes but may also be used with a computer system. Additionally, thedisplay20 may be integrated into vehicle systems, such as for example a navigation system, HVAC controls, and the vehicle radio system. The component which sends a wired or wireless video signal to thedisplay20 may be mounted in thetrim panel18, such as for example in a lower portion28 thereof. Thedisplay20 may include other features such as touch screen systems, compression actuated buttons, a key pad, and speakers. Thedisplay housing17 may include anupper portion31 that is always exposed from outside of thepocket24. Manually operatedcontrols34 for controlling thedisplay20 and any electrical component connected to thedisplay20 may be mounted on theupper portion31 so that they are accessible regardless of the position of thedisplay20. Theupper portion31 may further house infrared remote control, headphone jacks, and/or other electrical jacks.
• Thedisplay20 may be manually moved between its storage and extended positions or may be connected to a motorized, hydraulic, pneumatic or other type of actuator for automatically moving thedisplay20 to at least one of the positions. Thedisplay20 may also be spring biased towards any of the positions, and/or may include a damper mechanism which retards its movement. A latch may be included to secure thedisplay20 in its storage position, extended position, or any intermediate positions therebetween.
• There is illustrated inFIG. 3 a lifting mechanism, indicated generally at40 for moving the display between its storage and extended positions. Themechanism40 includes aframe42 having a pair oftrack members44 formed therein. Theframe42 is attached to thetrim panel18.Sides43 of thedisplay housing17 are slidably disposed in thetrack members44. Thelifting mechanism40 further includes a threadedshaft50 and amotor52 for rotating the threadedshaft50. Themechanism40 further includes a pair ofarms56. Thearms56 have first ends58 that are pivotally attached to thedisplay housing17. The arms have second ends60 that are pivotally mounted to driveblocks62 that are threadably engaged with the threadedshaft50. The drive blocks62 are slidably disposed in a track66 formed in theframe42 such that the drive blocks62 preferably do not rotated relative the track66.
• To operate thelifting mechanism40, themotor52 is actuated to rotate the threadedshaft50. Rotation of the threadedshaft50 causes the drive blocks62 to move in a linear direction relative to the length of the threadedshaft52. For example, to move thedisplay20 from its extended position, as shown inFIG. 3, to its storage position, themotor52 is actuated to rotate the threadedshaft52 in such as rotational direction to cause the drive blocks62 to slide within the track66 in a direction away from themotor52. Movement of the drive blocks62 causes movement of the second ends60 of thearms56 such that the first ends58 are pulled downwardly, as viewingFIG. 3. Downward movement of the first ends58 of thearms56 causes thedisplay housing17 to slide downwardly along thetrack members44, thereby moving thedisplay20 towards its storage position. To the move thedisplay20 towards its extended position, themotor52 is actuated to rotate the threadedshaft50 in the opposite rotational direction, thereby pushing the first ends58 of thearms56 upwardly. Its should be noted that the threadedshaft50 can be formed into two separate shafts such that the right-hand/left-hand thread arrangement corresponds to the desired direction of the drive blocks62. It should also be understood that a single arm or multiple arms may be used instead of the pair ofarms56.
• There is illustrated inFIG. 4 a schematic illustration of an alternate embodiment of alifting mechanism70 which may be used in place of thelifting mechanism40. Thelifting mechanism70 includes a pair oftoothed racks72 which are mounted and fixed on thedisplay housing17. Thelifting mechanism70 further includes a drive mechanism74 mounted on thetrim panel18. The drive mechanism74 includes amotor76, afirst pulley wheel78, asecond pulley wheel80, acable81, a universaljoint assembly82, a pair ofrods84, and a pair ofgears86. Themotor76 is connected to thefirst pulley wheel78 such that activation of themotor76 will cause rotation of thefirst pulley wheel78. Thecable81 rotates around thepulleys78 and80 and rotationally connects thefirst pulley wheel78 to thesecond pulley wheel80. The universaljoint assembly82 connects thesecond pulley wheel80 to the pair ofrods84 such that the universaljoint assembly82 imparts the rotational force of thesecond pulley wheel80 to the rotation of therods84. The outwardly extending ends of therods84 are fixedly connected to thegears86. Thegears86 are threadably engaged with the toothed racks72.
• To operate thelifting mechanism70, themotor76 is actuated to rotate the threaded shaftfirst pulley wheel78. Rotation of thefirst pulley wheel78 causes rotation of thesecond pulley wheel80 via thecable81. Rotation of thesecond pulley wheel80 rotates the pair ofrods84 which further rotates thegears86. Rotation of thegears86 engages thetoothed racks72 causing thetoothed racks72 to move upwardly or downwardly. Since thedisplay housing17 is attached to thetoothed racks72 and the drive mechanism74 is attached to thetrim panel18, thedisplay housing17 anddisplay20 are moved to move relative to thetrim panel18. The directional rotation of themotor76 will correlate to the upward or downward movement of thedisplay20.
• There is illustrated inFIG. 5 an alternate embodiment of seat assembly, indicated generally at100. Theseat assembly100 is similar to theseat assembly10 and includes a seat back112. One of the differences is that theseat assembly100 includes atrim panel118 which does not cover the entirerear side113 of the seat back112 but rather is installed at anupper portion115 of the seat back112. Similar to thetrim panel18, thetrim panel118 includes apocket124 having anopening126 through which adisplay120 extends or retracts. Thedisplay120 is mounted within a mountinghousing117 which slides within thepocket124. Thedisplay120 is movable between a storage position within thepocket124, and an extended position (as shown inFIG. 5) in which thedisplay120 is exterior of thepocket124 for viewing, as shown inFIG. 2. Additionally, thedisplay120 is pivotally mounted relative to thedisplay housing117 to adjust the viewing angle for a particular occupant of the vehicle watching thedisplay120. In other words, the plane of thedisplay120 is movable relative to the plane defined by the front portion of thedisplay housing117. Thedisplay120 may be pivotally mounted along a laterally extending horizontal axis X. The axis X may be located anywhere along the height of thedisplay120. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis X is located near the upper portion of the display such that thedisplay120 may be easily tilted upwardly. Thedisplay housing117 includes arecess140 in which thedisplay120 is disposed which is larger than thedisplay120 to accommodate the movement therein. Alternatively, the axis X may be located near the lower portion of the display such that thedisplay120 may be easily tilted downwardly. It may be desirable to adjust the viewing angle of thedisplay120 due to the height of the viewer and/or the recline angle of the seat back112. It should also be understood that thedisplay120 may be alternatively or additionally pivotally mounted on thedisplay housing117 about a generally vertical axis (not shown) so that the side-to-side viewing angle may be adjusted. The viewing angles may be adjusted manually or by the use of a motorized mechanism (not shown).
• Although thedisplays20 and120 were described above as includingmotorized lifting mechanisms40 and70, it should also be understood that any suitable manually operated or motorized lifting mechanism may be used to move the displays from their storage to their extended positions. For example, a spring loaded mechanism may be used which when activated when the display is in its storage position biases the display upward into its extended position.
• In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims (8)

1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a seat back defining a rear side; and

a display assembly mounted on said seat back, said display assembly including:

a housing mounted on said rear side of said seat back, said housing defining a pocket;

a display; and

a lifting mechanism connected between said housing and said display, wherein said lifting mechanism moves said display between a storage position within said pocket, and an extended position such that display is disposed out from said pocket.

2. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 1 wherein said housing includes a trim panel that is attached to said rear side of said seat back.

3. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 2 wherein said trim panel covers only a portion of said rear side of said seat back.

4. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 2 wherein said trim panel covers all of said rear side of said seat back.

5. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 2 wherein said seat back defines side portions, and wherein said trim panel covers said side portions of said seat back.

6. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 2 wherein said pocket is integral with said trim panel.

7. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 2 wherein said pocket is separate from said trim panel.

8. The vehicle seat assembly defined inclaim 1 wherein said display includes a portion that is disposed out from said pocket when said display is in the storage position.

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