Patent Description:
Vehicles are increasingly moving toward implementation of cameras and electronic display systems to provide additional safety and security systems. The placement of such a display system needs to be visible to the driver in order to access the information provided and be retained in the event of an impact scenario. Current display systems are not efficient at retaining the respective position of the display system and do not account for differences in driver eye height. Additionally, current display systems require specific tooling to facilitate the adjustment of the display system. This results in the user requiring additional time and difficulty to adjust the display system.

<CIT> describes a monitor of a camera-monitor system in a motor vehicle, the monitor comprising: a display mounted in a field of vision of a driver of the motor vehicle;
wherein a vertical position of the monitor is adjustable and does not affect a horizontal position of the monitor; and wherein the vertical position of the monitor is held by both a force fit and a form fit; a spring exerting a force establishing the force fit; a sliding element; a holding element including a slide rail for the sliding element; wherein the sliding element includes a toothing on a first longitudinal side and, on its second longitudinal side lying opposite the first longitudinal side, strikes against a rail; wherein the rail is supported in relation to the holding element by means of springs; the holding element includes a rack lying opposite the toothing of the sliding element; and the slide rail is connected in a horizontally displaceable manner to the holding element.

It is the object of this invention to provide a vehicle display system with height adjustment that overcomes at least some of the drawback of the prior art.

Said object is solved by a vehicle display system, which comprises: a bracket; at least one bracket support member wherein the bracket support member comprises a receiving cavity to retain the bracket; a display cover coupled to the at least one bracket support member; a display adapter coupled to the display cover; and at least one adjustment mechanism coupled to the display cover, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one mounting member that couples to the display adapter, wherein the mounting member comprises at least one first bracket element and at least one second bracket element; a lever that is slidably engaged within the first bracket element; and a biasing element supported by the second bracket element; wherein the biasing member cooperates with the lever such that, when a first force is applied to the lever the biasing member is compressed to enable the adjustment mechanism to be translated to a desired position.

The bracket may be mounted to an attachment component for facilitating coupling to a vehicle directly or indirectly. This attachment component may be configured for driver side and/or passenger side mounting. An example attachment component is describe in <CIT>, and reference is made thereto with respect to attachment details.

According to the invention it is preferred that the vehicle display system further comprises at least one fastening member for coupling the display adapter to the display cover such that, when the fastening member is loosened, the adjustment mechanism is functional to enable movement of the display cover in relation to the bracket, and, when the fastening member is tightened, the movement of the adjustment mechanism is restricted.

It is proposed that each fastening member comprises a locking lever, with the locking lever preferably being rotatable between an open position loosening the fastening member and a closed position tightening the fastening member, and/or each fastening member comprising an eccentric screw.

Preferred embodiments of the vehicle display system according to the invention further comprise at least one first gasket located between the bracket support member and the display cover, and/or at least second first gasket located between the display cover and the display adapter, with preferably each second gasket being designed to fit on one fastening member.

It is also proposed that at least one tolerance biasing element is located between the display cover and the first gasket, preferably arranged on either the inside or outside of the bracket support member.

Further, it is proposed that the tolerance biasing element cooperates with a side wall of the bracket support member and the display cover to ensure alignment of the bracket support member, and/or the tolerance biasing element cooperates with the display adapter and the bracket support member to ensure a proper mounted alignment.

According to the invention it is also proposed that the adjustment mechanism further comprises an adjustment pin that cooperates with the biasing element; and an adjustment rod that cooperates with the adjustment pin, with the adjustment rod preferably being integrally connected to the bracket or detachably coupled to the bracket.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be further characterized by a dividing wall, wherein the cover has the dividing wall as a physical barrier separating two adjustment mechanisms, and/or the biasing members of two adjustment mechanisms cooperate with the respective levers and the dividing wall such that, when a first force is applied to the levers the biasing members are compressed against the dividing wall to enable the adjustment mechanisms and a display screen to be translated to a desired height position, and/or, per adjustment mechanism, the lever engages and compresses the biasing member against the dividing wall for translating the adjustment pin out of the corresponding geometry of the adjustment rod.

Still further, it is proposed that there are two or four adjustment mechanisms, with each fastening member preferably cooperating with one adjustment mechanism retaining the location of the display cover in relation to the bracket, when the fastening member is in a locked position.

It is preferred according to the invention that there are at least two bracket support members between which the bracket can be vertically moved for a height adjustment, with preferably the bracket support members providing a dovetail guiding.

It is also proposed that there are four bracket support members located in proximity to the four corners of the bracket, and/or there are two first gaskets located between each bracket support member and the display cover, with preferably the first gaskets being injected into the display system during assembly.

Embodiments of the invention can further comprise at least one display screen coupled with the display adapter; wherein preferably a bezel encases the display screen.

In addition, it is proposed that the display screen comprises bonded glass.

Still further, it is proposed that the display adapter and/or the bracket is constructed from aluminum or a high-tech plastic material.

An electromagnetic shield adapter unit for cooling electric components of the vehicle display system, in particular its electronic control unit, may also be used, for example in form of the unit describe in <CIT>, and reference is made thereto with respect to the respective structural details.

The present invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments which are described with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> depicts an isometric perspective view of a display system <NUM> for a vehicle <NUM>. The display system <NUM> comprises a display screen <NUM> and a bezel <NUM>. The bezel <NUM> surrounds the display screen <NUM>, wherein the display screen <NUM> is a form of bonded glass. Further, the bezel <NUM> may be configured to accept paint to alter the appearance of the bezel <NUM>. The display system <NUM> further comprises an inner bracket cover <NUM> and an outer bracket cover <NUM>. The outer bracket cover <NUM> and inner bracket cover <NUM> cooperate to provide protection and improved appearance for a bracket <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The bracket <NUM> provides a means for attachment of the display system <NUM> to a vehicle <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may be mounted to an attachment component for facilitating coupling to the vehicle directly or indirectly. This attachment component may be configured for driver side and/or passenger side mounting. An example attachment component is describe in <CIT>, and reference is made thereto with respect to attachment details. In the configuration of <FIG> the display system <NUM> mounts to a vehicle A-pillar. In other configurations the display system may mount to a vehicle door, a windshield, a grab bar attached to the vehicle, or any other vehicle structure.

<FIG> depicts the display system <NUM> mounted to the A-pillar of the vehicle <NUM>, with the display system <NUM> being adjustable up to <NUM> while maintaining crash safety requirements. The adjustability of this design enables movement of the perpendicular of the display system <NUM> to align with the eyes of the driver (not shown). This design also allows for the adjustment of the display system <NUM> without additional tooling such as screw drivers, hammers, hex keys, or similar devices.

<FIG> depicts an exploded view of the display system <NUM> emphasizing a vehicle display height adjustment assembly. The inner bracket cover <NUM> and the outer bracket cover <NUM> cooperate with the bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> facilitates the connection between the display system <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> by attaching to the A-pillar. The bracket <NUM> is coupled to a display cover <NUM> via at least two bracket support members <NUM>. In this configuration, there are four bracket support members <NUM> located in proximity to the four corners of the bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is designed to be slidably coupled within the bracket support members <NUM>. The bracket support members <NUM> are coupled to the display cover <NUM> and a display adapter <NUM> via at least one bracket support fastener <NUM>. In this configuration, two bracket support fasteners <NUM> are used for each bracket support member <NUM> and are located in opposite corners of the bracket support member <NUM>.

In this configuration the display adapter <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> are constructed from aluminum or a high-tech plastic material. These material ensure forces applied to the display system are strucutrally received and contained by the display adaptor <NUM> or the bracket <NUM>.

An electromagnetic shield adapter unit for cooling electric components of the vehicle display system, in particular its electronic control unit, may be used, for example in form of the unit describe in <CIT>, hereby incorporated by reference, and reference is made thereto with respect to the respective structural details.

At least one first gasket <NUM> is located between the bracket support member <NUM> and the display cover <NUM>. Each first gasket <NUM> reduces system vibration, and may seal the system to inhibit the transfer of contaminants. In this configuration two first gaskets <NUM> are located between each bracket support member <NUM> and the display cover <NUM>. In this configuration the first gaskets <NUM> are injected into the display system <NUM> during assembly. In other variations the first gaskets <NUM> may be incorporated into the display system <NUM> via other means during assembly as well.

Located between the display cover <NUM> and the first gaskets <NUM> is at least one tolerance biasing element <NUM>. In this configuration there is one tolerance biasing element <NUM> with each bracket support member <NUM>. In other configurations there may be more than one tolerance biasing element <NUM>. Each tolerance biasing element <NUM> may be located on either the inside or outside of the bracket support member <NUM>.

The tolerance biasing elements <NUM> cooperate with a side wall <NUM>, see <FIG>, of the bracket support member <NUM> and the display cover <NUM> to ensure alignment of the bracket support member <NUM>. In other configurations the tolerance biasing element <NUM> may cooperate with the display adapter <NUM> and the bracket support member <NUM> to ensure a proper mounted alignment.

Additionally, an adjustment mechanism <NUM> is coupled to the display cover <NUM> and display adapter <NUM> via at least one adjustment mechanism fastener <NUM> and positioned between the display cover <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>. The height of the display system <NUM> may be adjusted by the cooperation of the adjustment mechanism <NUM> with the display cover <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>. In this configuration there are two adjustment mechanisms <NUM>. However, other designs may have more or less adjustment mechanisms <NUM> to meet design requirements.

The display adapter <NUM> is coupled to the display cover <NUM>. At least one fastening member <NUM> cooperates with the display adapter <NUM> and the display cover <NUM>. When the fastening member <NUM> is loosened, the adjustment mechanism <NUM> is functional to enable movement of the display cover <NUM> in relation to the bracket <NUM>. Whereas, when the fastening member <NUM> is tightened, the movement of the adjustment mechanism <NUM> is restricted. In this configuration there are two fastening members <NUM>, which are eccentric screws. Alternatively, there can be more or less of these in other configurations to comply with design requirements.

Between the display cover <NUM> and the display adapter <NUM> is at least one second gasket <NUM> designed to fit on the fastening member <NUM>. Each second gasket <NUM> is able to reduce vibration, and seal the system to inhibit the transfer of contaminants. In this configuration there are two second gaskets <NUM>, but in other configurations there may be more or less to meet design requirements.

<FIG> depicts a front view of the vehicle display height adjustment assembly. The bracket <NUM> is designed to be positioned between the bracket support members <NUM> and be slidably coupled. In this configuration the tolerance biasing elements <NUM> are located on the outside of the two bracket support members <NUM> on the left side and on the inside of the two bracket support members <NUM> on the right side. In other configurations the tolerance biasing elements <NUM> may be located on the inside or outside of all bracket support members <NUM>. The tolerance biasing elements <NUM> shift the bracket support members <NUM> onto a support area in the display adapter <NUM>. The support areas are in parallel within a specific range to decrease the tolerance range of the bracket support members <NUM> to each other. This prevents the system from jamming, and ensures it is robust and of high quality.

In this configuration the vehicle display height adjustment assembly contains two adjustment mechanisms <NUM>. Both adjustment mechanisms <NUM> are engaged simultaneously in order to adjust the display system <NUM>. This ensures that a user will need to use both hands to engage both adjustment mechanisms <NUM> and provide the required support to inhibit the display system <NUM> slipping into an unintended end position.

Each adjustment mechanism <NUM> is comprised of a lever <NUM>, a first bracket element <NUM>, a second bracket element <NUM>, and a biasing member <NUM>. The first bracket element <NUM> and the second bracket element <NUM> are coupled to the display adapter <NUM> via four adjustment mechanism fasteners <NUM> for each bracket. The first bracket element <NUM> supports the lever <NUM> and acts as a guide for when the lever <NUM> is slidably engaged. The second bracket element <NUM> supports the biasing member <NUM>. In this configuration the second bracket element <NUM> acts as a guide for the biasing member <NUM>. In other configurations the biasing member <NUM> and/or second bracket element <NUM> may be coupled to a dividing wall <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The fastening member <NUM> is located near the adjustment mechanism <NUM> and cooperates with the adjustment mechanism <NUM> to assist in retaining the location of the display cover <NUM> in relation to the bracket <NUM>. When the fastening member <NUM> is in a locked position, the fastening member <NUM> provides sufficient force to retain display adapter <NUM> to the bracket <NUM>.

In <FIG> a top perspective view of the vehicle display height adjustment assembly is shown. The inner bracket cover <NUM> and the outer bracket cover <NUM> cooperate to cover the bracket <NUM>. The adjustment mechanism <NUM> cooperates with the bracket <NUM>, the display adapter <NUM>, and the display cover <NUM> to adjust the height of the display system <NUM>. The cover <NUM> has the dividing wall <NUM> which in this form provides a physical barrier separating the two adjustment mechanisms <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a top perspective view of the vehicle display height adjustment assembly with the inner bracket cover <NUM>, outer bracket cover <NUM>, and display cover <NUM> removed. It best demonstrates how the bracket <NUM> is configured to fit within a receiving cavity <NUM> of the bracket support members <NUM>. The bracket support members <NUM> slidably couple the bracket <NUM> to the display cover <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an isometric perspective view of one bracket support member <NUM>. Specifically, it illustrates the geometry of the receiving cavity <NUM> designed to engage the bracket <NUM>. It also shows the side wall <NUM> that the tolerance biasing elements <NUM> abuts as seen in <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts a top perspective view of the vehicle display height adjustment assembly with the bracket <NUM> removed. Each fastening member <NUM> includes a locking lever <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the locking levers <NUM> in an open position. When the locking levers <NUM> are in an open position, the fastening members <NUM> are unengaged and enable the movement of the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> and the display <NUM>. When one locking lever <NUM> is rotated inwards in a first direction A, it shifts to a closed position and the respective fastening member <NUM> is engaged. When said fastening member <NUM> is engaged, the locking force provided by the fastening member <NUM>, prevents movement of the display cover <NUM>. From the closed position, the locking lever <NUM> is rotated in a second direction B to the open position.

<FIG> illustrate front perspective views of the adjustment mechanisms <NUM>, and specifically emphasizes the operation of the adjustment mechanisms <NUM>. Each adjustment mechanism <NUM> cooperates with the bracket <NUM> to adjust the display cover <NUM> in relation to the bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> in a locked state at a first position. In the first position, per adjustment mechanism <NUM>, an adjustment pin <NUM> is biased by the biasing member <NUM> into a corresponding geometry on an adjustment rod <NUM>. The adjustment rod <NUM> may be either integrally connected to the bracket <NUM> or detachably coupled to the bracket <NUM>. The cooperation between the adjustment pin <NUM> and the adjustment rod <NUM> restricts movement of the adjustment mechanism <NUM> locking it into the first position. This in turn retains the display system <NUM> into a first position.

As depicted in <FIG>, when the locking lever <NUM> of the fastening member <NUM> is in an upright position, the fastening member <NUM> is unengaged and enables the adjustment mechanism <NUM> to be engaged and the translation of the display <NUM>. A first force <NUM> is applied to the lever <NUM>. The lever engages and compresses the biasing member <NUM> against the dividing wall <NUM> translating the adjustment pin <NUM> out of the corresponding geometry of the adjustment rod <NUM> This disengages the adjustment pin <NUM> from the adjustment rod <NUM> and transitions the adjustment mechanism <NUM> into an unlocked state in the first position.

<FIG> illustrates the adjustment mechanism in an unlocked state at the first position. A second force <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, may then be applied to the display cover <NUM> to move each adjustment mechanism <NUM> to a second desired position. When the first force <NUM> on the lever <NUM> is disengaged, the biasing member <NUM> is released to allow the adjustment pin <NUM> to reengage the adjustment rod <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the adjustment mechanism <NUM> in a locked state at the second position after a downward translation of the display <NUM>. In this figure, the first force <NUM> on each lever <NUM> has been removed and the respective adjustment pins <NUM> are biased into the corresponding geometry on the adjustment rod <NUM>. The adjustment mechanisms <NUM> and display system <NUM> are now retained at the second position.

<FIG> illustrate a top perspective view of the adjustment mechanism <NUM>, and specifically emphasizes the operation of the adjustment mechanisms <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> in a locked state, and <FIG> depicts the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> in an unlocked state. As shown, the biasing members <NUM> cooperate with the levers <NUM> and the dividing wall <NUM>. When a first force <NUM> is applied to the levers <NUM> the biasing members <NUM> are compressed against the dividing wall <NUM>. As previously described, this then enables the adjustment mechanisms <NUM> and display <NUM> to be translated to a desired height position.

In the following an exemplary display height adjustment is described:
The display system <NUM> may be adjustable in height with a two hand adjustment. the driver may hold the display screen <NUM> encased within the bezel <NUM> in his hands, when a height adjustment is conducted. In a first step, the fixation via the eccentric fastening members <NUM> needs to be loosen by rotating the locking members <NUM>. Then the driver may push the button-like levers <NUM> on the left and on the right sides. This pushes the adjustment pins <NUM> out of their positions within recesses provided by the respective adjustment rods <NUM> and the display screen <NUM> may be moved vertically. During said movement, the bracket <NUM> is guided between a dovetail geometry provided by the bracket support members <NUM>. When an end-position is roughly found, the driver stops pushing the button-like levers <NUM>, moves the display screen <NUM> slightly upwards or downwards until the adjustment pins <NUM> enter complementary recesses provided by the respective adjustment rods <NUM>. As a last step, the fastening members <NUM> need to be tighten via the locking members <NUM>. During the tightening, the driver no longer has to hold the display screen <NUM> encased within the bezel <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle display system (<NUM>) comprises:
• a bracket (<NUM>);
• at least one bracket support member (<NUM>) wherein the bracket support member (<NUM>) comprises a receiving cavity (<NUM>) to retain the bracket (<NUM>);
• a display cover (<NUM>) coupled to the at least one bracket support member (<NUM>);
• a display adapter (<NUM>) coupled to the display cover (<NUM>); and
• at least one adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) coupled to the display cover (<NUM>),
wherein the adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) comprises
• at least one mounting member that couples to the display adapter (<NUM>), wherein the mounting member comprises at least one first bracket element (<NUM>) and at least one second bracket element (<NUM>);
• a lever (<NUM>) that is slidably engaged within the first bracket element (<NUM>); and
• a biasing element (<NUM>) supported by the second bracket element (<NUM>),
wherein the biasing member (<NUM>) cooperates with the lever (<NUM>) such that, when a first force (<NUM>) is applied to the lever (<NUM>) the biasing member (<NUM>) is compressed to enable the adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) to be translated to a desired position.