Front panel operating apparatus and method Number:7,419,123 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Front panel operating apparatus and method

Abstract: A front panel operating apparatus and method of a vehicle display device such as a car audio can include a main chassis for accommodating an audio device, a front panel provided in the front side of the main chassis that opens or closes to allow access to a record medium for the audio device. The front panel can have a display part in the front side thereof. A supporting panel can be hinge-coupled to a lower side of the front panel to move a lower end of the front panel forward and backward by sliding from a prescribed location of the main chassis in forward and backward directions of the main chassis. A vertical guide can be formed at the front side of the main chassis, and a protrusion formed on the front panel can be inserted into the vertical guide for controllably moving an upper portion of the front panel up and down.

Patent Number: 7,419,123 Issued on 09/02/2008 to Park,   et al.

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Inventors:	Park; Chan Hoon (Pyeongtaek-si, KR), Youn; Sang Jin (Suwon-si, KR), Kim; Jung Sik (Suwon-si, KR)
Assignee:	LG Electronics Inc. (Seoul, KR)
Appl. No.:	11/065,004
Filed:	February 25, 2005

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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	Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
	10372122	Feb., 2003	6883759

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Feb 26, 2002 [KR]			2002-10307
Jun 24, 2002 [KR]			2002-35465
Sep 06, 2002 [KR]			2002-53948
Sep 13, 2002 [KR]			2002-55859
Nov 08, 2002 [KR]			2002-69360

Current U.S. Class:	248/27.3 ; 360/137
Current International Class:	G12B 9/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	248/27.3 455/345 369/75.1 360/137 312/319.5,319.6,319.7,319.8,323,223.1 720/607,646,647

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

4701902	October 1987	Aoyagi et al.
5010437	April 1991	Utsugi et al.
5362144	November 1994	Shioya et al.
5847685	December 1998	Otsuki
5848042	December 1998	Takahashi et al.
5862468	January 1999	Kim
5941615	August 1999	Ito et al.
6011685	January 2000	Otsuki
6398168	June 2002	O Tae
6682157	January 2004	Ito
6690574	February 2004	Kasahara et al.
2001/0029795	October 2001	Nau

Foreign Patent Documents

	0 734 006		Sep., 1996		EP
	0995972		Oct., 1997		EP
	0995972		Apr., 2000		EP
	58014366		Jan., 1983		JP
	4020115450		Jan., 1990		JP
	00022725		Jan., 1999		JP
	11177248		Jul., 1999		JP
	11177248		Jul., 1999		JP
	11297060		Oct., 1999		JP
	2000-0033785		May., 2000		KR

Other References

European Office action dated May 14, 2007. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Baxter; Gwendolyn
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ked & Associates, LLP

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Parent Case Text

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This application is a Divisional of prior application Ser. No. 10/372,122, filed Feb. 25, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,759 entitled FRONT PANEL OPERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10307/2002, filed Feb. 26, 2002; 35465/2002 filed Jun. 24, 2002; 53948/2002, filed Sep. 6, 2002; 55859/2002, filed Sep. 13, 2002 and 69360/2002, filed Nov. 8, 2002. The entire disclosure of the prior applications are considered as being part of the disclosure of the accompanying application and are hereby incorporated by reference therein.

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A front panel operating apparatus of a car audio, comprising: a main chassis configured to receive an audio device, wherein the audio device is configured to receive and eject an information medium through an entrance; a front panel coupled to the main chassis having a display part exposed in a front side, wherein the front panel selectively covers the entrance; a protruded section protruded from an upper portion of at least one of the main chassis and the front panel toward the other of the main chassis and the front panel; a guide configured to engage the protruded section, wherein the guide is coupled to the other of the main chassis and the front panel, wherein the guide extends a prescribed distance in substantially a first direction; a supporting panel pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the front panel, wherein the supporting panel is configured to reciprocally move in substantially a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; and a supporting panel driving section configured to move the supporting panel in the second direction to controllably adjust an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis among a plurality of values from a closed position covering the entrance, wherein the support panel driving section comprises a clutch device that intermittently transfers power to the front panel, and wherein the clutch device comprises: a rotational center shaft; a first transmitting member having a first unevenness section formed on one surface thereof; a second transmitting member having a second unevenness section formed on a surface facing the first unevenness section of the first transmitting member and engaged with the first unevenness section of the first transmitting member; and a spring that applies a compressive force pushing at least one of the first transmitting member and the second transmitting member toward the other of the first and second transmitting member.

2. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting panel driving section further comprises: a driving motor fixedly coupled to the main chassis; a worm coupled to the driving motor; a worm gear in mesh with the worm; and a rack in mesh with the worm gear and formed at an upper side portion of the supporting panel.

3. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting panel driving section further comprises: a driving motor fixedly coupled to the main chassis; a worm coupled to the driving motor for being supplied with a torque; a worm gear in mesh with the worm; a gear train having one end in mesh with the worm gear and including at least one gear for adjusting a velocity ratio of the worm gear; and a rack in mesh with the other end of the gear train and formed at an upper side portion of the supporting panel.

4. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gear train reduces a velocity ratio of the gear in a transfer direction of the torque.

5. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting panel driving section further comprises: a driving motor fixedly coupled to the main chassis; a gear train having a plurality of gears coupled to the driving motor; a pinion formed at an end of the gear train; and a rack in mesh with the pinion, wherein the rack is fixed to one surface of the supporting panel such that the supporting panel supplied with a torque moves forward and backward relative to the chassis.

6. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pinion comprises: a large gear section for being supplied with the torque; a small gear section in mesh with the rack configured to transfer the torque to the rack; and a spacing maintaining section protruded from an approximate center of the pinion toward an outer circumference of the pinion, and contacting with at least one of the supporting panel and the main chassis, wherein the spacing maintaining section is configured to maintain a prescribed spacing between the pinion and the supporting panel.

7. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting panel driving section further comprises: a driving motor; a plurality of gears forming a gear train coupled to the driving motor; the clutch device included in the gear train configured to intermittently transfer power from the driving motor according to an external load; a pinion formed at an end of the gear train; and a rack in mesh with the pinion and fixed to one surface of the supporting panel such that the supporting panel supplied with a torque moves forward and backward.

8. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a gyro device attached on an inner surface or an outer surface of the main chassis to ascertain a moving direction of a vehicle, the gyro device being used in a navigation system of the vehicle.

9. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a gyro device coupled to the main chassis such that an installation angle thereof is controllable; a communication hole formed in the main chassis and serving as a rotational center for controlling the installation angle of the gyro device; a control slot arranged concentrically with the center of the communication hole and formed in a curvature corresponding to a rotational trace of one side of the gyro device; a hook protrudedly formed on a lower side of a gyro housing constituting an outer shell of the gyro device and rotatably mounted on an inner circumference of the communication hole; and a coupling device coupled to a selectable position of the control slot and the gyro housing for fixing the installation angle of the gyro device.

10. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting panel driving section further comprises: a driving motor fixedly coupled to the main chassis; a driving pulley formed on a rotational shaft of the driving motor; a slave pulley corresponding to the driving pulley and coupled to the driving pulley by a belt; a lead screw formed concentrically with a center of the slave pulley; and a moving sphere engaged with the outer circumference of the lead screw and moving forward and backward, and fixedly formed on one surface of the supporting panel.

11. The front panel operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruded section moves reciprocally along the guide when the supporting panel moves reciprocally in the second direction.

12. A device, comprising: a main chassis configured to receive an audio device; a front panel coupled to the main chassis, wherein the front panel is configured to selectively cover an entrance for providing a record medium to the audio device, wherein the front panel includes a front surface, and wherein a viewable display is exposed in the front surface; and a driving member configured to drive the front panel to move forward and backward from the main chassis, wherein the driving member is configured to selectively change an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis between at least three positions, wherein the driving member comprises a clutch device to intermittently transfer power to the front panel, and wherein the clutch device comprises: a rotational center shaft; a first transmitting member having a first unevenness section formed on one surface thereof; a second transmitting member having a second unevenness section formed on a surface facing the first unevenness section of the first transmitting member and engaged with the first unevenness section of the first transmitting member; and a spring that applies a compressive force pushing at least one of the first transmitting member and the second transmitting member toward the other of the first and second transmitting member.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising an engagement apparatus configured to couple an upper portion of the front panel and the main chassis, wherein the driving member is coupled to a lower portion of the front panel.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the engagement apparatus comprises: a protruded section protruded from at least one of either the main chassis or the front panel toward said other one; and an upper and lower guide on the other of the main chassis or the front panel, wherein the upper and lower guide extends a prescribed distance in a direction from an upper side toward a lower side of the front panel when the front panel is in a closed position, wherein the protruded section is inserted into the upper and lower guide.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the driving member comprises: a driving motor; a plurality of gears forming a gear train coupled to the driving motor; the clutch device which is included in the gear train; a pinion formed at an end of the gear train; and a rack in mesh with the pinion and fixed to one surface of the support panel such that the supporting panel selectively moves forward and backward.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the driving member comprises: a support panel pivotably coupled to the lower portion of the front panel; a rack extending along one surface of the support panel in a moving direction of the support panel; a pinion that engages the rack; and a driving motor fixedly coupled to the main chassis for driving the pinion, wherein the driving motor is coupled to the pinion.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the pinion comprises: a large gear section coupled to the driving motor; a small gear section that engages the rack; and a spacer section protruded from the pinion toward an outer circumference of the pinion, and contacting with at least one of the support panel and the main chassis, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain a prescribed spacing between the pinion and the support panel.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the driving member comprises: a plurality of gears forming a gear train coupled to the driving motor; and the clutch device included in the gear train configured to intermittently transfer power from the driving motor according to a load.

19. A front panel operating apparatus of a car audio, comprising: a main chassis configured to receive an audio device, wherein the audio device is configured to receive and eject an information medium through an entrance; a front panel coupled to the main chassis having a display part exposed in a front side, wherein the front panel selectively covers the entrance; a protruded section protruded from an upper portion of at least one of the main chassis and the front panel toward the other of the main chassis and the front panel; a guide configured to engage the protruded section, wherein the guide is coupled to the other of the main chassis and the front panel, wherein the guide extends a prescribed distance in substantially a first direction; a supporting panel pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the front panel, wherein the supporting panel is configured to reciprocably move in substantially a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; and a supporting panel driving section configured to move the supporting panel in the second direction to controllably adjust an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis among a plurality of values from a closed position covering the entrance, wherein the supporting panel driving section comprises: a driving motor; a plurality of gears forming a gear train coupled to the driving motor; a clutch device included in the gear train configured to intermittently transfer power from the driving motor according to an external load; a pinion formed at an end of the gear train; and a rack in mesh with the pinion and fixed to one surface of the supporting panel such that the supporting panel supplied with a torque moves forward and backward, wherein the clutch device comprises: a rotational center shaft; a first gear having a gear section formed on an outer circumference thereof and a first unevenness section formed on one surface thereof; a second gear having a second unevenness section formed on a surface facing the first unevenness section of the first gear section and engaged with the first unevenness section of the first gear; and a contact spring that applies a compressive force pushing at least one of the first gear and the second gear toward the other of the first and second gear.

20. A front panel operating apparatus, comprising: a main chassis; a front panel coupled to the main chassis, wherein the front panel is configured to selectively cover an entrance for providing a record medium, wherein the front panel includes a front surface, and wherein a viewable display is exposed in the front surface; and a driving member configured to drive the front panel to move forward and backward from the main chassis, wherein the driving member is configured to selectively change an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis, wherein the driving member comprises a clutch device to intermittently transfer power to the front panel, and wherein the clutch device comprises: a rotational center shaft; a first transmitting member having a first unevenness section formed on one surface thereof; a second transmitting member having a second unevenness section formed on a surface facing the first unevenness section of the first transmitting member and engaged with the first unevenness section of the first transmitting member; and a spring that applies a compressive force pushing at least one of the first transmitting member and the second transmitting member toward the other of the first and second transmitting member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the driving member is coupled to a lower portion of the front panel.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the driving member comprises: a support panel pivotably coupled to the lower portion of the front panel; a rack extending along one surface of the support panel in a moving direction of the support panel; a pinion that engages the rack; and a driving motor fixedly coupled to the main chassis for driving the pinion.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the transmitting member is a gear.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the clutch device intermittently transfers power according to a load.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle display device and method, and more particularly, to a car audio in which a display part is provided on a front side of the car audio.

2. Background of the Related Art

Generally, car audios are discriminated according to the kind of front panel, and include electronic tuning radio (ETR) type, detachable type and flip down type. FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional front panel according to the ETR type, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a conventional front panel according to the flip down type.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ETR type front panel is configured to include an insertion hole 2 (or entrance) formed at an upper portion thereof, and through which a data storage medium, such as cassette tape, compact disk (CD), mini disk, etc., is inserted, and a display section 3 provided below the insertion hole 2. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is generally used as the display section 3.

The flip down type front panel is configured to include a display section 6 formed throughout upper and lower portions of the front panel 4, and an insertion hole 5 provided in the front of the set. The display section 6 is selectively shielded by the front panel 4.

The display section 6 of the flip down type front panel 4 is sized larger than the display section 3 of the ETR type front panel 1. The flip down type has an improved convenience of use because of the larger display area.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a conventional flip down type car audio front panel driving apparatus. Referring to FIG. 3, a display section is provided throughout the entire area of a front panel 4. An apparatus for opening and closing the front panel 4 will now be described. A driving gear 7 which is supplied with a driving force of a separate motor (not shown) and thereby rotates is provided at one side of the car audio main body, and a slave gear 8 in mesh with and moving in combination with the driving gear 7 is provided in one end of the front panel 4. A spring 9 for providing a restoring force is provided at the rotational center shaft of the slave gear 8 such that the front panel 4 is opened and is then restored to a closed status.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view for illustrating an operation of the conventional flip down type front panel. As shown in FIG. 4, the conventional flip down type front panel 4 rotates up and down around the rotational center shaft of a slave gear 8.

FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view of a conventional flip down type car audio. As shown in FIG. 5, the conventional flip down type car audio includes a main chassis 10 having an insertion hole 11 for information medium such as compact disc, mini disc, cassette tape and so on, a panel coupling section 20 as a fixing section formed in the front of the main chassis 10 to rotate a front panel 30, and an escutcheon section 25 coupled to the panel coupling section 20 to be rotatable along upward and downward directions. An entrance 22 in the panel coupling section 20 corresponds to the insertion hole 11.

A rotational shaft 24 at both lower portions of the front side of the panel coupling section 20 rotatably supports the escutcheon section 25. The rotational shaft 24 includes a pair of damping gears 23 engaged with each other such that the escutcheon section 25 is slowly and downwardly rotatable. Also, a hanging protrusion 21 at an upper edge portion of the panel coupling section 20 restrains the downward rotation of the front panel 30 from the standing status.

The front panel 30 further includes a display section 32 for outputting and displaying information, a plurality of operating buttons 33 for selecting and operating the functions of the car audio, and an insertion groove 31 formed at both side portions of the front panel 30 into which both side edges of the escutcheon section 25 are inserted. In addition, at a corresponding position to the hanging protrusion 21 is a release button 34 for releasing the hanging status of the hanging protrusion 21 so that the front panel 30 is downwardly rotatable.

By rotating the front panel 30 upwardly, the upper edge of the front panel 30 is hung and maintained to the hanging protrusion 21 of the panel coupling section 20, so that the standing status of the front panel 30 is stably maintained.

In case it is intended to insert or withdraw the information medium into or from a corresponding player, the release button 34 of the front panel 30 is pushed, and the hanging protrusion 21 is disconnected. The front panel 30 rotates downwardly around the rotational shaft 24 by the elastic force of a spring (not shown). At this time, the damping gear 23 restrains an abrupt rotation of the front panel 30 such that it rotates gradually. Accordingly, the entrance 22 of the panel coupling section 20 is opened and viewed from an outside.

In the conventional car audio shown in FIG. 5, the escutcheon section 25 and the front panel 30 are further formed in the front of the entrance 22 for the information medium so as to shield the entrance 22. To this end, there is caused an inconvenience in that it is requested to rotate the front panel 30 and the escutcheon section 25 downwardly during the insertion and withdrawal of the information medium, and after the withdrawal or insertion, to rotate the front panel 30 and the escutcheon section 25 manually and upwardly. Further, when the front panel 30 rotates downwardly, there occurs a problem in watching the display section 32 formed in front of the front panel 30 and operating the operating buttons 33. The operation of the conventional flip down type front panel shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is provided in additional detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,437.

However, as described above, the prior art has various disadvantages. In the ETR type as shown in FIG. 1, the size of the display section 3 is made small in size. Also, in the conventional flip down type shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, there exist user's inconveniences because the operation is manually performed, and although the display section 6 is turned on, it cannot be viewed in the open status of the front panel 30.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,168B1, the front panel has an advantage in that the display section can be viewed in the open status of the front panel. However, a smooth movement of the front panel is hindered sometimes because the front panel is sensitive to external conditions such as temperature, humidity and so on owing to a complicated mechanical operation. Also, the front panel has another disadvantage because a sufficient device reliability cannot be obtained due to the complicated mechanical operation when inserting or withdrawing compact disc, mini disc, cassette tape and so on.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a front panel operating apparatus of a car display device that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a front panel operating apparatus of a car display device that enables a stable manipulation of the front panel for opening and closing the display part.

To achieve at least these objects and other advantages in a whole or in part and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a front panel operating apparatus of a car audio that includes a main chassis configured to receive an audio device, wherein the audio device is configured to receive and eject an information medium through an entrance, a front panel coupled to the main chassis having a display part exposed in a front side, wherein the front panel selectively covers the entrance, a protruded section protruded from an upper portion of at least one of the main chassis and the front panel toward the other of the main chassis and the front panel, a guide configured to engage the protruded section, wherein the guide is coupled to the other of the main chassis and the front panel, wherein the guide extends a prescribed distance in substantially a first direction, a supporting panel pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the front panel, wherein the supporting panel is configured to reciprocably move in substantially a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and a supporting panel driving section configured to move the supporting panel in the second direction to controllably adjust an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis among a plurality of values from a closed position covering the entrance.

To further achieve at least these objects and other advantages in a whole or in part and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a device that includes a main chassis configured to receive an audio device, a front panel coupled to the main chassis, wherein the front panel is configured to selectively cover an entrance for providing a record medium to the audio device, wherein the front panel includes a front surface, wherein a viewable display is exposed in the front surface, and a driving member configured to drive the front panel to move forward and backward from the main chassis, wherein the driving member is configured to selectively change an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis between at least three positions.

To further achieve at least these objects and other advantages in a whole or in part and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a method of operating a front panel apparatus of a vehicular display device that includes providing a main chassis configured to receive an audio device, coupling a front panel to the main chassis for selectively covering an entrance for providing a record medium to the audio device, wherein the front panel includes a front surface having a viewable display exposed therein, pivotably driving a lower portion of the front panel to move forward and backward from the main chassis to selectively change an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis to at least one viewing position between a closed position of the front panel and an open position of the front panel, and maintaining a coupling between an upper portion of the front panel and the main chassis when the front panel is moved.

To further achieve at least these objects and other advantages in a whole or in part and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a front panel operating apparatus of a display device that includes a main chassis configured to receive an audio device, a front panel coupled to the main chassis, wherein the front panel is configured to selectively cover an entrance for providing a record medium to the audio device, wherein the front panel includes a front surface, wherein a viewable display is exposed in the front surface, a driving member configured to drive the front panel to move forward and backward from the main chassis, wherein the driving member is configured to selectively change an inclination angle of the front panel with respect to the main chassis between at least three portions, and a gyro device fixedly coupled to the main chassis, wherein an installation angle of the gyro device is adjustable with respect to the main chassis.

To further achieve at least these objects and other advantages in a whole or in part and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a front panel operating apparatus of a display device that includes a main chassis configured to receive the display device member, a gyro device coupled to the main chassis such that an installation angle to the main chassis is controllable, and an adjustment device configured to adjust the installation angle of the gyro device.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional electronic tuning (ETR) type front panel;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a conventional flip down type front panel;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a conventional flip down type car audio front panel driving apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view for illustrating an operation of a conventional flip down type front panel;

FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view of a conventional flip down type car audio;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a front sectional view of a front panel operating apparatus of a car audio according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing detailed views of main portions of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a plan view of the front panel operating apparatus of the car audio of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a side view for illustrating an operation of the front panel operating apparatus of the car audio of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a front view of the front panel of FIG. 6 according the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the front panel operating apparatus of the car audio;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a side view of a supporting panel driving section according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a plan view of a supporting panel driving section according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a front view of a pinion according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a side sectional view of a pinion according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a side view of a supporting panel driving section according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a plan view of a supporting panel driving section according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a front view of a pinion according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a side sectional view of a pinion according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a schematic view for illustrating an operation of a spacing maintaining section in the pinion according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a sectional view of a clutch device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a sectional view of a clutch device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a sectional view and front view of a first gear according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a sectional view and front view of a second gear according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a schematic view for illustrating an operation of the clutch device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a front view of a car audio to which a gyro device is attached according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a plan sectional view of a gyro-equipped structure for navigation in a car audio according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a side view of main portions in the gyro-equipped structure for navigation according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a front view of the gyro-equipped structure for navigation according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a schematic view for illustrating the installation appearance of the gyro device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a plan sectional view of a front panel operating apparatus of a car audio according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a schematic view for illustrating an operation status of the front panel operating apparatus of the car audio according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments for describing the spirit and scope of the present invention will now be provided. However, the spirit and scope are not intended to be restricted to the provided embodiments.

Embodiment 1

A first preferred embodiment of a front panel operating apparatus of a car display device according to the present invention will now be described. As shown in FIGS. 6-12, a front panel operating apparatus of the car display device such as a car audio according to a first embodiment of the present invention can include a main chassis 100 preferably having a cylindrical shape of which one end is opened for accommodating a compact disc player 102 and a cassette player 103 or the like, and a front panel 125 provided at the front side of the main chassis 100 that can move in upward and downward directions to adjust its inclination angle. Preferably, the inclination angle can be set to a user desired angle between an open and closed position or with fine increments or graduations between the open and closed positions. A supporting panel 120 can be positioned inside a lower side of the main chassis 100 to be withdrawn in forward and backward directions, and a protruded section 137 (see FIG. 9) can be formed along a plate surface direction at upper portions of preferably both sides of the front panel 125. An upper and lower guide 136 (see FIG. 9) can be formed in the front of the main chassis 100 to accommodate and guide the movement of the protruded section 137 along generally upward and downward directions. A supporting panel driving section 130 (see FIG. 9) can drive the supporting panel 120 such that an inclination angle of the front panel 125 is controlled with respect to the main chassis 100. The supporting panel 120 is preferably withdrawn from or enters a withdrawal position detecting section 105 (see FIG. 6) for detecting a withdrawal position of the supporting panel 120 with respect to the main chassis 100. A control section 150 (see FIG. 12) can control the supporting panel driving section 130 preferably based on a detection result of the withdrawal position detecting section 105 to control the inclination angle of the front panel 125 with respect to the main chassis 100.

In the front of the main chassis 100, a compact disc player 102 and/or a cassette tape player 103 or the like can be accommodated preferably in a two layered structure. The exemplary compact disc player 102 can have an entrance 104 for withdrawing a compact disc from the upper side of the main chassis 100, and the exemplary cassette tape player 103 can have an entrance 101 for withdrawing a cassette tape from the lower side of the main chassis 100.

In addition, a plurality of guide rollers 116 can be rotatable coupled to lower portions of both inner edges of the main chassis 100 preferably along the withdrawal and insertion (e.g., entrance) directions of the supporting panel 120. A front frame 145 (see FIG. 10) can be formed at an opened portion of the front side of the main chassis 100. The upper and lower guide 136 can be formed preferably at both inner edges of the front frame 145 to guide the upward and downward moving directions of the front panel 125.

The front frame 145 preferably has an extended width compared with the width of the front panel 125 so as to accommodate the front panel 125. The front frame 145 can be included to couple the front panel 125 to the main chassis 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper and lower guide 136 preferably accommodates the protruded section 137 outwardly protruded from upper portions of both side ends, and the rollers 138. The respective accommodated roller 138 are preferably in rolling-contact with inner side surfaces of the upper and lower guides 136, and are formed in a groove shape (e.g., rectangular cross-section) so as to move along the upward and downward directions. Further, the lower ends of the upper and lower guides 136 are preferably formed to be curved toward the forward direction so that the movement of the protruded section 137 is smoothly guided.

The supporting panel 120 can have a rectangular plate shape of which a center portion is partially cut off or removed. At both side edges of the supporting panel 120 along the width direction, preferably there are formed guide rails 118 that can have a U-shaped section to be in rolling-contact with the guide rollers 116. In the front end of the both side edges of the supporting panel 120, there can be a screw hole 141, which is preferably screw-coupled along with the lower side of the front panel 125, and a fixing screw 140, which preferably penetrates the screw hole 141 and is fixed thereto. It is desirable that the screw hole 141 is sufficiently loosely processed with respect to the fixing screw 140 to make possible the relative movement of the supporting panel 120 and the front panel 125. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited as other pivotable connections, hinge-connections or controllable-connections between the support panel 120 and the front panel 125 can be used.

The supporting panel driving section 130 can include a rack 131 formed extending along a prescribed length on an upper surface of one edge of the supporting panel 120 in the withdrawal direction (e.g., insertion or moving direction) of the supporting panel 120, a pinion 134 in mesh with the rack 131, and a pinion driving motor 133 for rotatably driving the pinion 134 in forward and backward directions. A rotational shaft 132 can couple the driving motor 133 with the pinion 134. The pinion 134 is preferably rotatably coupled integrally with the rotational shaft 132 of the pinion driving motor 133 and preferably arranged perpendicularly to the withdrawal direction of the supporting panel 120 inside the main chassis 100.

The withdrawal position detecting section 105 can include a plurality of position detecting sensors 108 preferably spaced from each other in the withdrawal and entrance directions of the supporting panel 120, and a sensor switch 106 fixedly arranged within the main chassis 100 and that can output a detection signal based on contacting or correspondence with the respective position detection sensors 108. The sensor switch can include a contact pin 107, which is preferably protruded or retracted in upward and downward directions and enables the position detection of the position detecting sensor 108. The position detecting sensor 108 can use various kinds and shapes. A sensor rail 160 can also be formed on the upper surface of the supporting panel 120 in the moving direction of the supporting panel such that the contact pin 107 is not hung and the supporting panel 120 is slidingly movable.

A horizontal guide section 110 can be formed at both sides spaced of the lower side of the supporting panel 120 to reduce or prevent the supporting panel 120 from being shaken in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the horizontal guide section 110 can include an inverse "U"-shaped guide groove 121 having a lower surface that is formed protrudedly upwardly, a supporting shaft 122 upwardly protruded from the lower surface of the main chassis 100, and a guide protrusion 123 insertedly formed on the supporting shaft 122 so as to be slidingly in contact with the guide groove 121.

Preferably, the guide protrusion 123 can be insertedly formed in upward and downward directions with respect to the supporting shaft 122 with a predetermined measurements or margin such that it is movable in upward and downward directions and is also rotatable. Also, a buffer member 124 is preferably further formed below the guide protrusion 123 to buffer and support the guide protrusion 123.

The front panel 125 can include the display section 126 for displaying predetermined information, and an operating panel section 127. The operating panel section 127 can include an inclination control knob 128 and a plurality of operating buttons 129 preferably formed at a periphery of the display section 126 for selecting and operating the functions of an audio device such as the compact disc player 102 and/or the cassette tape player 103 or the like accommodated inside the main chassis 100. The inclination control knob 128 can preferably manually control the inclination angle of the front panel 125 with respect to the main chassis 100.

The control section 150 can store a control program and can include at least a microprocessor. The control section 150 preferably can send a driving signal for controlling the inclination angle of the front panel 125 to the driving motor 133 based on detection results of the inclination control knob 128 and the withdrawal position detecting section 105. For this purpose, the rotatable inclination control knob 128, the withdrawal position detecting section 105 and the driving motor 133 are respectively and electrically coupled with the control section 150.

The inclination control knob 128 shown in FIGS. 6-12 is the rotary type. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. For example, the inclination control knob 128 may be constituted in the form of a plurality of push buttons that are installed corresponding to the number of the respective position detecting sensors 108 to designate the positions of the respective position detecting sensors 108, or in the form of a single push button to select the inclination angle according to a number of operated (e.g., pushed) times or selection of a plurality of prescribed locations from a closed position.

Operations of the first embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6-12. To control the inclination angle of the front panel 125 for the withdrawal and entrance of a compact disc or cassette tape, the inclination control knob 128 can be manipulated to designate a user's desired (e.g., preferred or preset) inclination angle of the front panel 125.

If the desired inclination angle is designated by the user, the control section 150 preferably controls the driving motor 133 to rotate in the withdrawal direction of the supporting panel 120. As the driving motor 133 starts to rotate, the pinion 134 coupled with the driving motor 133 rotates, and the rack 131 in mesh with the pinion 134 and the supporting panel 120 can be moved forward (e.g., withdrawal).

In operations of the supporting panel 120, the vertical or horizontal position of the supporting panel 120 can be supported by a vertical guide section 115 including the guide roller 116 and the guide protrusion 123. Thus, the relative positions of the supporting panel 120 in the horizontal and vertical directions can be stably maintained while the supporting panel 120 is slidingly moved and withdrawn outside the main chassis 100.

The supporting panel 120 preferably can be withdrawn without a horizontal shaking by interaction of the guide groove 121, the guide protrusion 123 and the buffer member 124. Also, the supporting panel 120 preferably can be withdrawn without a vertical shaking by interaction of the guide roller 116 and the guide rail 118.

When the supporting panel 120 is withdrawn from the interior of the main chassis 100, the lower side of the front panel 125 is moved forward by the supporting panel 120 (e.g., pivotably), and the upper side of the front panel 125 is moved downwardly (e.g., approximately vertically) along the upper and lower guide 136 of the front frame 145 to preferably maintain contact between the main chassis 100 and the front panel 125. Accordingly, the supporting panel 120 can have a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the main chassis 100. Further, an inclination angle, which allows access to the entrance of a compact disc or cassette tape, is possible.

In other words, it becomes possible to designate the position of the supporting panel 120 (e.g., inclination angle or user viewing angle) by using the correspondence or contact of the contact pin 107 of the sensor switch 106 fixed within the main chassis 100 with a specified one of the position detection sensors 108 arranged along the sensor rail 160 formed on the supporting panel 120. If the position detecting sensor 108 arranged at a position designated by the inclination control knob 128 is in contact with the contact pin 107 and thereby a position detection signal is outputted, the control section 150 controls the driving motor 133 to stop its operation based on the position detection signal. Accordingly, the inclination angle between the front panel 125 and the main chassis 100 can be maintained at a value designated by the inclination control knob 128.

In the case of closing the front panel 125 (e.g., intending to stand the front panel 125 up and/or cover the recording medium entrance), the inclination control knob 128 can be manipulated to select a standing (e.g., prescribed) inclination angle of the front panel 125. Then, operations described above can be variously performed again.

The first embodiment of the present invention, exemplarily describes and shows a case that the protruded section is formed at the upper portions of the both sides of the front panel and the upper and lower guide for accommodating the protruded section and guiding the protruded section in upward and downward directions is formed at both sides of the front side of the front frame. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. For example, the protruded section can be formed in the main chassis or front frame and a concaved upper and lower guide for accommodating the protruded section is formed at both edges of the front panel.

In addition, the first embodiment exemplarily describes and shows a case that the plurality of position detecting sensors are arranged at predicted positions along the withdrawal direction (e.g., forward away from/backward toward the main chassis) of the supporting panel and the sensor switch is fixedly arranged in the main chassis so as to interact with the position detecting sensors such that the inclination angle of the front panel is controllable in multiple stages. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. For example, although the driving motor can be a stepping motor or servo motor, the inclination angle of the front panel can be finely controllable without sensors by adjusting the revolution of the motor.

Embodiment 2

A second embodiment of a vehicle display device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13-16. The second embodiment according to the present invention is similar to the first embodiment, but has at least a difference from the first embodiment in the supporting panel driving section. Descriptions of the second embodiment will concentrate on the supporting panel driving section.

In the first embodiment, the torque of the driving motor 133 can be transferred to the rack 131 via the single pinion 134 can have a disadvantage in the reliable power transmission. The second embodiment can constitute a supporting panel driving section capable of increasing or guaranteeing a reliability of such power transmission.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a supporting panel driving section according to the second embodiment of the present invention can include a driving motor 230 preferably coupled to a main chassis (not shown in the drawings), a worm 231 formed at one end of the driving motor 230 for being supplied with a torque, a worm gear 232 in mesh with the worm 231 and a rack 212 preferably formed on an upper side surface of a supporting panel 210, a pinion 245 in mesh with the rack 212, and a gear train 240 formed at a connection portion of the worm gear 232 and the pinion 245. The gear train 240 can include a plurality of gears for being supplied with the torque.

The pinion 245 can include a small gear section 246 and a large gear section 247 in mesh with one end of the gear train 240, for being supplied with the torque from the gear train 240. The small gear section 246 can be in mesh with the rack 212 and can be formed integrally with the large gear section 247 for transferring torque to the rack 212.

The gear train 240 can be fixed to the main chassis and/or a predetermined fixing section extended from the main chassis or the like. Also, the gear train 240 can be formed so as to reduce the revolution of the driving motor 230 and thus increase torque. For instance, the dimension of the gear for transferring power can be made smaller than the dimension of the gear for being supplied with power.

Also, a connection hole 215 can be formed at the front side of the supporting panel so as to be connected with the front panel. The connection hole 215 preferably allows the front panel to be opened when the supporting panel 210 is pushed forward.

Operations of the second embodiment will now be described. The torque (e.g., driving force) of the driving motor 230 is preferably transferred to the pinion 245, particularly to the large gear section 247 of the pinion 245, via the worm 231, the worm gear 232 and the gear train 240. The rack 212, which is coupled to or in mesh with the small gear section 246 of the pinion 245, can then move forward and backward controlled by the pinion 245.

Accordingly, the supporting panel 210 in which the rack 212 is preferably fixedly formed (or coupled to) moves into the inside and out to the outside of the main chassis, and the front panel can be opened (e.g., closed) as an upper portion of the front panel moves down (e.g., up).

FIG. 15 is a front view of a an exemplary pinion according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of an exemplary pinion according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the pinion 245 can have the large gear section 247 and the small gear section 246 in the form of an integral structure, e.g., a single gear.

According to the second embodiment, since the torque of the driving motor 230 can be transferred strongly (e.g., with very little loss), the supporting panel 210 can reliably and stably move forward and backward. Further, even when a low price and lower power motor is used as the driving motor, it has an advantage to sufficiently drive the supporting panel 210.

Embodiment 3

A third embodiment of a vehicle display device according to the present invention will now be described. The third embodiment according to the present invention is similar to the second embodiment, but has at least a difference from the second embodiment in the shape, structure and operations of a pinion.

As described above, the second embodiment can include the pinion 245 with the large gear section 247 in mesh with a final gear of the gear train 240, and the small gear section 246 in mesh with the rack 212 on the supporting panel 210. In this configuration, the supporting panel 210 on which the rack 212 is installed can be spaced by a predetermined margin from the main chassis preferably to enhance the assembly convenience and provide smooth operation.

Accordingly, a force is applied to the engagement between the pinion 245 and the rack 212 can depend on movement of the supporting panel 210 so that a central distance between the pinion 245 and the rack 212 can change. The central distance between the pinion 245 and the rack 212 can be greater than a previously designed value, and then, the teeth of the pinion 245 can collide with the teeth of the rack 212. In this case, the wearing of the teeth is generated and operational noise can increase or become serious. Also, if the distance between the pinion 245 and the rack 212 is too distant (e.g., above a threshold limit), power transmission between the pinion 245 and the rack 212 can become less efficient and even impossible.

The third embodiment discloses a central distance between gears that can be maintained at a constant value. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the third embodiment can include a driving motor 330, a worm 331, a worm gear 332, a gear train 340, a supporting panel 310, a connection hole 315 and a rack 350 operatively coupled to move the supporting panel 310 similar to corresponding features in the second embodiment. However, a pinion 345 of the third embodiment in mesh with one end of the rack 350 and the gear train 340 can include a spacer feature or method. As shown in FIG. 17, the pinion 345 can include a large gear section 347 in mesh with one end of the gear train 340, a small gear section 346 in mesh with the rack 350, and a spacing maintaining section 348 can be formed between the large gear section 347 and the small gear section 346. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited.

The spacing maintaining section 348 can protruded from an approximate center of the pinion 345 toward the outer circumference thereof to have a diameter preferably greater than the diameter of the large gear section 347. The spacing maintaining section 348 preferably has a diameter that is sufficient to be in contact with the main chassis or a portion extended from the main chassis, and/or one side of the supporting panel 310. By the above constitution, a stable operation of the pinion 345 can be obtained. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited as other configurations that maintain the prescribed spacing can be used.

Operations of the supporting panel driving section according to the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The torque (e.g., driving force) generated from the driving motor 330 is transferred via the worm 331, the worm gear 332, the gear train 340, and the pinion 345, and is preferably finally supplied to the rack 350 and the supporting panel 310.

In the transfer mechanism or procedure of the torque described as above, the central distance between the pinion 345 and the rack 350 can be preferably maintained at a constant value. In other words, the spacing maintaining section 348 of the pinion 345 can be in contact with the surface of the main chassis and/or the supporting panel 310, so that the central distance between the pinion 345 and the rack 350 is maintained at a constant value.

Accordingly, it is reduced or prevented that the central distance between the pinion 345 and the rack 350 varies from than a designed central distance, and thus they are close to each other. Further, a noise generated by interference of the teeth of the pinion 345 and the teeth of the rack 350 is reduced or prevented and the pinion 345 can be moved reliably.

As shown in FIG. 21, during operation of the spacing maintaining secti