Patent Description:
According to the development of electronic technology, sound devices for reproducing sounds such as songs and image devices through which broadcasting can be watched have become widespread.

However, since the sound devices and image devices are manufactured and sold as separate devices, the user needs to purchase the sound devices and the image devices, separately.

In the case of the image devices, a screen on which an image is displayed is always exposed, so that the screen cannot be protected or hidden.

On the other hand, the image device may be configured to display two or more aspect ratios of images on the screen. For example, when the screen of the image device has an aspect of <NUM>:<NUM>, the image device can display images having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> and images having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>.

However, when such a conventional image device displays an image having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>, there exists a black screen in which the image is not displayed on the upper and lower portions of the screen or the lower portion of the screen. When the black screen is present as described above, there is a problem that the viewer is less immersed when viewing the image.

The sound devices may be configured to have a screen for outputting information or lyrics of a song to be reproduced. However, since the size of the screen provided in the sound device is small, it is possible to view the contents displayed only when the user is close to the sound device. In addition, there is a problem that an image related to a sound to be reproduced cannot be output.

<CIT> describes a speaker device for television. <CIT> describes a panel mounted appliance elevator apparatus. <CIT> describes an audio/display device. <CIT> describes a liquid crystal television container.

The present disclosure has been developed in order to overcome the above problems. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an image sound device that can perform two functions of a sound device and an image device and has a display part that can appear and disappear, in which the display part is accommodated in a housing and a height of the display part projecting outside of the housing can be adjusted.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an audio-visual device as defined by claim <NUM> of the claims appended hereto is provided.

The driver may include a first rack gear rotatably connected to the another end of the first link; a second rack gear provided parallel to the first rack gear and rotatably connected to the another end of the second link; a pinion provided between the first rack gear and the second rack gear and configured to move the first rack gear and the second rack gear in directions opposite to each other; and a motor configured to rotate the pinion.

The driver may include a pair of first guide pins provided at both ends of the first rack gear; a pair of second guide pins provided at both ends of the second rack gear; a first rack gear support member provided parallel to the first rack gear and provided with a first guide groove into which the pair of first guide pins are inserted; and a second rack gear support member provided parallel to the second rack gear and provided with a second guide groove into which the pair of second guide pins are inserted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described below are provided for illustrative purpose only, and that the present disclosure may be embodied with various modifications different form exemplary embodiments described herein. However, in the following description below, detailed description of well-known functions or components will be omitted when it may be unnecessary to obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Further, the accompanying drawings may be not drawn to scale in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, but the dimensions of some of the components may be exaggerated.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear of <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the display part of the image sound device having the display part that can appear and disappear in <FIG> is completely exposed from a housing. <FIG> is a view illustrating an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in which a rear side of a housing is removed. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing <NUM>, a display part <NUM>, and a lifter <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is provided with a space for accommodating the display part <NUM> thereinside, and an opening <NUM> is provided in a top end of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the housing <NUM> is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the display part <NUM>, and the display part <NUM> protrudes upward from the housing <NUM> through the opening <NUM> formed in the top end of the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be formed so that the image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure functions as furniture for decorating the room. Thus, the outer surface of the housing <NUM> may be decorated in various ways.

The display part <NUM> may be configured to be used as an image device capable of displaying images and as a sound device capable of reproducing or recording sounds. For example, the image sound device <NUM> may be used as an image device such as a TV, a monitor, or the like, and may be used as a sound device capable of reproducing, outputting, and recording sound sources of various formats. Accordingly, the display part <NUM> may be formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, such as a general LCD TV. Alternatively, the display part <NUM> may be formed in a curved plate shape bent at a certain curvature. In the following embodiments, the display part <NUM> is formed in a flat plate shape.

The display part <NUM> is provided with a controller <NUM> configured to control the display part <NUM> to display an image on a screen <NUM> and output sound. In addition, the display part <NUM> may include a power supplier <NUM> for supplying power. The controller <NUM> and the power supplier <NUM> may be embedded in the rear surface <NUM> of the display part <NUM>. The display part <NUM> may include a speaker (not illustrated) capable of outputting a reproduced sound. Alternatively, the sound reproduced by the display part <NUM> may be output through a speaker provided outside the display part <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape corresponding to the shape of the display part <NUM> to accommodate the display part <NUM> which is the rectangular flat plate. The rectangular opening <NUM> is provided in the top end of the housing <NUM>, so that the display part <NUM> may be inserted into the housing <NUM> through the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

On both side surfaces of the housing <NUM>, a pair of support stands <NUM> for supporting the housing <NUM> with respect to a bottom surface are provided. The pair of support stands <NUM> are disposed so that the bottom of the housing <NUM> is spaced apart from the bottom surface. Here, the bottom surface refers to a floor of a place where the housing <NUM> is disposed, for example, a room, a living room, a bedroom, and the like.

The front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is provided with a plurality of through holes 15a. The plurality of through holes 15a are formed to fix accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are fixed by using the plurality of through holes 15a formed in the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and are formed to be able to support objects such as books with respect to the housing <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, one accessory <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a flat plate that can be fixed using some of the plurality of through holes 15a. Another accessory <NUM> may be formed in a rod shape whose one end is fixed to the through hole 15a. The other accessory <NUM> may be formed in a substantially U-shape whose both ends are fixed to the through holes 15a. Alternatively, although not illustrated, an accessory may be formed in a substantially L shape whose one end is fixed to the through hole 15a. The accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are only examples, and the shape of the accessory is not limited thereto.

A plurality of through holes 16a may be formed on the rear surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> in the same manner as the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The above-described accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be fixed to the plurality of through holes 16a formed in the rear surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> as well.

At least one speaker <NUM> and <NUM> configured to output sound reproduced by the display part <NUM> to the outside may be provided near the bottom of the inside of the housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, two speakers <NUM> and <NUM> are provided inside the housing <NUM> in addition to the display part <NUM>. The sound output from the two speakers <NUM> and <NUM> may be transmitted to the outside through the plurality of through holes 15a formed in the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, although not illustrated, openings corresponding to the speakers <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed on the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> so that the front surfaces of the speakers <NUM> and <NUM> are exposed to the outside. Alternatively, the at least one speaker <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided outside the housing <NUM>.

When the at least two speakers <NUM> and <NUM> are provided separately from the display part <NUM> as described above, a large speaker may be used as compared to a speaker built in the display part <NUM> so that it is possible to provide a good sound when used as a sound device.

The lifter <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM> below the display part <NUM> and is configured to move the display part <NUM> up and down with respect to the housing <NUM>. In other words, the lifter <NUM> is configured to protrude the display part <NUM> to the outside of the housing <NUM> through the opening <NUM> at the top end of the housing <NUM> to expose the screen <NUM> and to lower the protruded display part <NUM> to be accommodated inside the housing <NUM>. When the display part <NUM> is received in the housing <NUM>, the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is protected by the housing <NUM>.

The lifter <NUM> may be configured to position the display part <NUM> at at least two heights. For example, the lifter <NUM> is configured to move the display part <NUM> between a first position (see <FIG> and <FIG>) in which the display part <NUM> is completely accommodated in the housing <NUM> and is not exposed to the outside of the housing <NUM> and a second position (see <FIG> and <FIG>) where the display part <NUM> is completely exposed to the outside of the housing <NUM>. As another example, the lifter <NUM> may be configured to position the display part <NUM> at a position where a portion of the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is exposed.

In the present embodiment, the lifter <NUM> is configured to be able to position the display part <NUM> at an arbitrary position between the first position and the second position.

Hereinafter, the lifter used in the image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear of <FIG> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM>. <FIG> is a view illustrating a lifter when a display part of an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is completely exposed, and <FIG> is a view of the lifter of <FIG> viewed from the opposite side. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a lifter of an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lifter <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM> so as not to be exposed to the outside of the housing <NUM>. The lifter <NUM> may include a supporting plate <NUM>, a first link <NUM>, a second link <NUM>, a driver <NUM>, and a motor controller <NUM>.

The supporting plate <NUM> is fixed to the bottom end of the display part <NUM> accommodated in the housing <NUM> and supports the display part <NUM>. The supporting plate <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a rectangular plate having a shape and size corresponding to the bottom end of the display part <NUM>.

The first link <NUM> is rotatably disposed at one end of the supporting plate <NUM>. In detail, one end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> is rotatably disposed at one end portion of the supporting plate <NUM>. The other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> is connected to the driver <NUM> and is movable by the driver <NUM>.

The second link <NUM> is rotatably disposed at the other end of the supporting plate <NUM> and is disposed to intersect with the first link <NUM>. In detail, one end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> is rotatably disposed at the other end portion of the supporting plate <NUM>, so that the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are arranged in an X shape. The other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> is connected to the driver <NUM> and is movable by the driver <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> is configured to drive the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> so that the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are moved toward or away from each other in the horizontal direction. The driver <NUM> may include a first rack gear <NUM> connected to the first link <NUM>, a second rack gear <NUM> connected to the second link <NUM>, a pinion <NUM> to drive the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM>, and a motor <NUM> to rotate the pinion <NUM>.

The first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are disposed parallel to each other so that one surfaces on which gear teeth are formed face each other. The pinion <NUM> is provided between the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM>. In detail, the first rack gear <NUM> is provided below the pinion <NUM>, and the second rack gear <NUM> is provided above the pinion <NUM>. The pinion <NUM> is provided to engage with the gear teeth of the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM>. Accordingly, when the pinion <NUM> rotates, the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> horizontally move in opposite directions to each other.

The other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> is rotatably connected to one end of the first rack gear <NUM>. Further, a pair of first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are provided at both ends of the first rack gear <NUM>. In other words, the first rack gear <NUM> is provided with two first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. One first guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> provided at one end of the first rack gear <NUM> may be disposed coaxially with a hinge shaft which connects the first link <NUM> and the first rack gear <NUM> to rotate with respect to each other. Further, the two first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are not provided at the same level but may be provided in the first rack gear <NUM> to have different levels. As illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided so that the mounting level of the first guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> provided on the hinge shaft connected to the first link <NUM> is higher by a predetermined height Δh than the mounting level of the first guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> provided on the other end of the first rack gear <NUM>.

The pair of first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the first rack gear <NUM> may be guided by a first rack gear support member <NUM> which is disposed parallel to one side of the first rack gear <NUM> and faces the first rack gear <NUM>. Therefore, the first rack gear support member <NUM> is provided with two first guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in which the pair of first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are inserted and guided.

The two first guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> include an upper first guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> and a lower first guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> which are formed to have the same height difference as the height difference Δh between the pair of the first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the first rack gear <NUM>. The upper first guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> guides the first guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the first rack gear <NUM> and the lower first guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> guides the first guide pin <NUM>-<NUM>. The first guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> guide the movement of the first rack gear <NUM> and restrict the moving distance of the first rack gear <NUM>. Therefore, the first guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are formed as elongated holes. The elongated holes are formed to have a length so that the pair of the first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the first rack gear <NUM> do not interfere with first rack gear support member <NUM> when the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is positioned at the first position where the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the lowest position and the second position where the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the highest position.

A guide groove may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of each of the first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> so that the pair of first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are stably guided by the first guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

The other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> is rotatably connected to one end of the second rack gear <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a pair of second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are provided at both ends of the second rack gear <NUM>. In other words, the second rack gear <NUM> is provided with two second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. One second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> provided at one end of the second rack gear <NUM> may be disposed coaxially with a hinge shaft which connects the second link <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> to rotate with respect to each other. Further, the two second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are not provided at the same level but may be provided in the second rack gear <NUM> to have different levels. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pair of second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be provided so that the mounting level of the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> provided on the hinge shaft connected to the second link <NUM> is higher than the mounting level of the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> provided on the other end of the second rack gear <NUM>. The pair of second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the second rack gear <NUM> are disposed to protrude in a direction opposite to the pair of first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the first rack gear <NUM>.

The pair of second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the second rack gear <NUM> may be guided by a second rack gear support member <NUM> which is disposed parallel to one side of the second rack gear <NUM> and faces the second rack gear <NUM>. Therefore, the second rack gear support member <NUM> is provided with two second guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in which the pair of second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are inserted and guided.

The two second guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> include an upper second guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> and a lower second guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> which are formed to have the same height difference as the height difference between the pair of the second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the second rack gear <NUM>. The upper second guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> guides the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> and the lower second guide groove <NUM>-<NUM> guides the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM>. The second guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> guide the movement of the second rack gear <NUM> and restrict the moving distance of the second rack gear <NUM>. Therefore, the second guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are formed as elongated holes. The elongated holes are formed to have a length so that the pair of the second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> do not interfere with second rack gear support member <NUM> when the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is positioned at the first position where the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the lowest position and the second position where the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the highest position. The second rack gear support member <NUM> is disposed to face the first rack gear support member <NUM> in parallel.

A guide groove may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of each of the second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in the same manner as the first guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> so that the pair of second guide pins <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are stably guided by the second guide grooves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

The pinion <NUM> provided between the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> is rotated by the motor <NUM>. Therefore, the pinion <NUM> is disposed directly on the motor shaft of the motor <NUM>. When the motor <NUM> in which a speed reducer <NUM> is integrally disposed is used in the driver <NUM> as in the present embodiment, the pinion <NUM> is provided on the output shaft of the speed reducer <NUM>. Therefore, when the output shaft of the speed reducer <NUM> is rotated by the rotation of the motor <NUM>, the pinion <NUM> also rotates integrally with the output shaft. In the embodiment as illustrated in <FIG>, the geared motor <NUM> in which the gear reducer <NUM> is integrally provided is used in the driver <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, since the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are provided below and above the pinion <NUM>, when the pinion <NUM> rotates, the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> move in opposite directions.

For example, in <FIG>, when the pinion <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction, the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved so that one end of the first rack gear <NUM> connected to the first link <NUM> and one end of the second rack gear <NUM> connected to the second link <NUM> are moved away from each other. When the one end of the first rack gear <NUM> to which the first link <NUM> is connected and the one end of the second rack gear <NUM> to which the second link <NUM> is connected are moved away from each other, the supporting plate <NUM> is lowered by the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> connected to the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM>, respectively.

When the pinion <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved in the direction in which the one end of the first rack gear <NUM> connected to the first link <NUM> and the one end of the second rack gear <NUM> connected to the second link <NUM> approach each other (see arrows A and B in <FIG>). When the one end of the first rack gear <NUM> to which the first link <NUM> is connected and the one end of the second rack gear <NUM> to which the second link <NUM> is connected are moved in the direction in which they approach each other, the supporting plate <NUM> is raised by the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> connected to the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM>, respectively.

In addition, two idle gears <NUM>, that is, a first idle gear and a second idle gear may be provided between the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> so that the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> move stably. The two idle gears <NUM> are provided on the left and right sides of the pinion <NUM>.

Further, the pinion <NUM> and the two idle gears <NUM> may be supported by support brackets <NUM>. In other words, the two idle gears <NUM> may be rotatably disposed on the support brackets <NUM>. The support brackets <NUM> are provided with a through hole 87a through which a shaft provided with the pinion <NUM> passes. When the pinion <NUM> and the two idle gears <NUM> are supported by the support brackets <NUM>, the distance between the pinion <NUM> and the two idle gears <NUM> may be kept constant when the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved by the pinion <NUM>.

The lifter <NUM> may further include a position detector capable of detecting the position of the supporting plate <NUM>. The position detector is configured to detect the position of the supporting plate <NUM> when the supporting plate <NUM> is moved up and down by the lifter <NUM>.

As an example, the position detector may be configured to detect the case where the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the first position where the supporting plate <NUM> is the lowest and the case where the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the second position where the supporting plate <NUM> is the highest. Referring to <FIG>, the position detector may include two position detecting sensors, that is, a first position detecting sensor <NUM> and a second position detecting sensor <NUM>, which are disposed near the upper second guide groove <NUM>-<NUM>, and a dog <NUM> which is provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> and operates the first and second position detecting sensors <NUM> and <NUM>.

When the supporting plate <NUM> is in the first position as illustrated in <FIG>, the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> operates the first position detecting sensor <NUM> which is disposed adjacent to the motor <NUM>. When the first position detecting sensor <NUM> is activated, the motor controller <NUM> receives a signal from the first position detecting sensor <NUM> and recognizes that the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the first position. In other words, when the signal is received from the first position detecting sensor <NUM>, the motor controller <NUM> identifies that the display part <NUM> is completely accommodated in the housing <NUM> and the screen <NUM> is not exposed to the outside.

When the supporting plate <NUM> is in the second position as illustrated in <FIG>, the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> operates the second position detecting sensor <NUM> which is disposed adjacent to the side wall of the housing <NUM>. When the second position detecting sensor <NUM> is activated, the motor controller <NUM> receives a signal from the second position detecting sensor <NUM> and recognizes that the supporting plate <NUM> is positioned at the second position. In other words, when the signal is received from the second position detecting sensor <NUM>, the motor controller <NUM> identifies that the display part <NUM> protrudes upward from the housing <NUM> and the screen <NUM> is completely exposed to the outside.

In the case of the present embodiment, limit switches are used as the position detecting sensors <NUM> and <NUM> constituting the position detector. However, this is only an example, and the position detecting sensor is not limited thereto.

The supporting plate <NUM> may be guided with respect to the inner side walls of the housing <NUM> so that the lifter <NUM> stably maintains the up and down movement of the supporting plate <NUM>. To this end, a pair of guides <NUM> are provided at both ends of the supporting plate <NUM>. In other words, the pair of guides <NUM> are provided to extend downward from both ends of the supporting plate <NUM>. The guide <NUM> is disposed perpendicular to the supporting plate <NUM> and is fixed to the supporting plate <NUM> by a fixing bracket <NUM>.

A pair of guide receiving portions <NUM> for guiding the up and down movement of the pair of guides <NUM> provided on the supporting plate <NUM> are provided on both inner side walls of the housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each of the guides <NUM> includes two parallel protrusions <NUM> formed in a vertical direction and each of the guide receiving portions <NUM> includes two elongated grooves <NUM> in which the two protrusions <NUM> of the guide <NUM> are received. The two elongated grooves <NUM> are formed to have a length corresponding to the height of the housing <NUM> in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the supporting plate <NUM> is raised or lowered by the lifter <NUM>, the pair of guides <NUM> provided at both ends of the supporting plate <NUM> are moved in the vertical direction along the pair of guide receiving portions <NUM> provided on the inner side walls of the housing <NUM>. Therefore, the up and down vertical movement of the supporting plate <NUM> is stably guided by the pair of guides <NUM> and the pair of guide receiving portions <NUM>.

In addition, the lifter <NUM> may include at least one damper <NUM> provided on one side of the second rack gear support member <NUM>. The damper <NUM> is formed to absorb an impact when the display part <NUM> is lowered. The damper <NUM> may also reduce the load which is applied to the driver <NUM> when the lifter <NUM> raises the display part <NUM>.

In the case of the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, two dampers <NUM> are provided on one side of the second rack gear support member <NUM> and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing <NUM>. The damper <NUM> includes a damper body <NUM> and a damper rod <NUM> disposed to protrude and retreat relative to the damper body <NUM>. Therefore, when the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is lowered, the top end of the damper rod <NUM> comes into contact with the supporting plate <NUM>. When the supporting plate <NUM> is continuously lowered, the rod <NUM> of the damper <NUM> is inserted into the damper body <NUM> and absorbs the impact of the supporting plate <NUM>.

Further, the lifter <NUM> may further include a support damper <NUM> disposed between the first link <NUM> and the first rack gear <NUM> or between the second link <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM>. In the case of the embodiment as illustrated in <FIG>, the support damper <NUM> is provided between the first link <NUM> and the first rack gear <NUM>. In detail, one end of the support damper <NUM> is rotatably connected to one end of the first rack gear <NUM>, and the other end of the support damper <NUM> is rotatably connected to the substantially central portion <NUM> of the first link <NUM>. Therefore, the first rack gear <NUM>, the support damper <NUM>, and a portion of the first link <NUM> form a triangle. Accordingly, when the first rack gear <NUM> is moved by the pinion <NUM>, the first link <NUM> may be stably rotated with respect to the first rack gear <NUM> by the support damper <NUM>. Further, the support damper <NUM> functions to mitigate the impact applied to the lifter <NUM> when the supporting plate <NUM> is completely lowered.

The motor <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is controlled by the motor controller <NUM>. The motor controller <NUM> may be disposed in the display part <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the motor controller <NUM> may be disposed on one side of the controller <NUM> in the rear surface of the display part <NUM>.

The motor controller <NUM> may be configured to control the state in which the display part <NUM> protrudes from the top end of the housing <NUM>. As one example, the motor controller <NUM> may be configured to control the lifter <NUM> such that the display part <NUM> is positioned at four heights with respect to the housing <NUM>.

In detail, the motor controller <NUM> may control the lifter <NUM> to position at one of the first position where the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is positioned at the lowest height and the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is not exposed from the top end of the housing <NUM>, the second position where the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is positioned at the highest height and the screen <NUM> is completely exposed from the top end of the housing <NUM>, a third position where the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is slightly raised from the first position and a portion of the screen <NUM> is exposed through the opening <NUM> at the top end of the housing <NUM>, and a fourth position where the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is raised higher than the third position and lower than the second position and the screen <NUM> is exposed through the top end of the housing <NUM> more than the third position. At this time, the fourth position may be a position where the aspect ratio of the exposed portion of the screen <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>. In the case in which the aspect ratio of the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>, when the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is positioned at the second position, the viewer can watch an image having the aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>.

A selection switch <NUM> configured to select a protruding state of the display part <NUM> may be provided on the top end of the display part <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, five selection switches <NUM> are provided on the top end of the display part <NUM>. The four selection switches <NUM> correspond to the four positions at which the display part <NUM> can be positioned, respectively. Accordingly, when one of the four switches <NUM> is pressed, the display part <NUM> is positioned at a position corresponding to the selected selection switch <NUM>. The remaining one switch is a power button for turning on/off the image sound device <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an operation of an image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

When the image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear is not used, the display part <NUM> is positioned at the first position where the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is not exposed to the outside as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the display part <NUM> is positioned at the first position, the state of the lifter <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. When the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is positioned at the first position, the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are positioned in a substantially horizontal state. At this time, the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are farthest apart from each other. Further, the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second link <NUM> operates the first position detecting sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the motor controller <NUM> may recognize that the supporting plate <NUM> of the lifter <NUM> is in the first position.

The display part <NUM> may be operated even when the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM> and is not exposed to the outside as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the display part <NUM> may output only sound without displaying an image in the state where the display part <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, only an image may be displayed without sound output. In this case, the user may recognize the image displayed on the screen <NUM> through the plurality of through holes 15a provided in the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Therefore, in this case, the image to be output on the screen <NUM> may be a special image that can be recognized from the outside through the plurality of through holes 15a and can give a certain effect such as a decorative effect, a lighting effect, or the like to the housing <NUM> rather than a general image. Alternatively, the display part <NUM> may output image and sound at the same time in the state where the display part <NUM> is completely accommodated in the housing <NUM>.

When the user wants to use the image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear as the sound device, the user presses the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the third position to position the display part <NUM> at the third position as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the third position is pressed, the motor <NUM> of the driver <NUM> is operated to rotate the pinion <NUM> so that the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved in the directions in which the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> approach each other. For example, in <FIG>, when the pinion <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the first rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow A and the second rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow B so that the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are brought close to each other. When the supporting plate <NUM> is raised to a predetermined height, the motor controller <NUM> stops the motor <NUM>. Thus, the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is protruded from the top end of the housing <NUM> by a predetermined height as illustrated in <FIG>. At this time, the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> is spaced apart from the first position detecting sensor <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the display part <NUM> is positioned at the third position, the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is slightly exposed from the top end of the housing <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. At this time, the size of the portion of the screen <NUM> exposed from the housing <NUM> may be determined to display information of the sound to be output.

When the user wants to use the image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear as the image device having the aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>, the user presses the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the fourth position to position the display part <NUM> at the fourth position as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the fourth position is pressed, the motor <NUM> of the driver <NUM> is operated to rotate the pinion <NUM> so that the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved in the directions in which the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> approach each other. For example, in <FIG>, when the pinion <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the first rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow A and the second rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow B so that the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are brought close to each other. At this time, the distance between the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> is smaller than the distance between the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> which are positioned at the third position.

When the supporting plate <NUM> is raised to a predetermined height corresponding to the fourth position, the motor controller <NUM> stops the motor <NUM>. Thus, the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is more protruded from the top end of the housing <NUM> than the third position as illustrated in <FIG>. At this time, the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> is positioned closer to the second position detecting sensor <NUM> than the first position detecting sensor <NUM>, but does not operate the second position detecting sensor <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the display part <NUM> is positioned at the fourth position, the screen <NUM> is protruded from the top end of the housing <NUM> so that the aspect ratio of the screen <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Therefore, when an image having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> is displayed in this state, the screen <NUM> filled with an image can be seen without a black screen.

When the user desires to completely expose the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> of the image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear, the user presses the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the second position to position the display part <NUM> at the second position as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the second position is pressed, the motor <NUM> of the driver <NUM> is operated to rotate the pinion <NUM> so that the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved in the directions in which the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> approach each other. For example, in <FIG>, when the pinion <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the first rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow A and the second rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow B so that the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are brought close to each other. At this time, the distance between the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> is smaller than the distance between the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> which are positioned at the fourth position.

When the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> operates the second position detecting sensor <NUM>, the motor controller <NUM> stops the motor <NUM>. Thus, the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is completely protruded through the top end of the housing <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

Accordingly, when the aspect ratio of the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>, the aspect ratio of the exposed screen <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>. Therefore, when an image having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> is displayed in this state, the screen <NUM> filled with an image can be seen without a black screen.

When the user desires to insert the display part <NUM> of the image sound device <NUM> having a display part that can appear and disappear into the housing <NUM> to prevent the screen <NUM> from being exposed to the outside, the user presses the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the first position to position the display part <NUM> at the first position as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the selection switch <NUM> corresponding to the first position is pressed, the motor <NUM> of the driver <NUM> is operated to rotate the pinion <NUM> so that the first rack gear <NUM> and the second rack gear <NUM> are moved in the directions in which the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are moved away from each other. For example, in <FIG>, when the pinion <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction, the first rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow C and the second rack gear <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow D so that the other end <NUM> of the first link <NUM> and the other end <NUM> of the second link <NUM> are moved away from each other.

When the second rack gear <NUM> moves in the direction of arrow D and the dog <NUM> provided on the second guide pin <NUM>-<NUM> of the second rack gear <NUM> operates the second position detecting sensor <NUM>, the motor controller <NUM> stops the motor <NUM>. Thus, the screen <NUM> of the display part <NUM> is completely inserted into housing <NUM> through the opening <NUM> at the top end of the housing <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the above description, the selection of the protrusion height of the display part is made by using the selection switches provided on the display part. However, as another example, the protrusion height of the display part may be selected by using a remote controller. In this case, a plurality of selection buttons corresponding to the plurality of positions of the display part may be provided on the remote controller. For example, when the display part may be positioned at four positions as in the present embodiment, the remote controller may be provided with four selection buttons corresponding to these four positions.

As described above, the image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is convenient in that it may be used as a decorative furniture that decorates the room, an image device, and a sound device with one device.

In addition, the image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can adjust the height of a screen. Therefore, when an image having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> is displayed on a screen of a display part having an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>, a black screen may be made invisible.

Further, the image sound device having a display part that can appear and disappear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can accommodate the display part inside the housing, thereby protecting the screen.

Claim 1:
An audio-visual device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a display (<NUM>) comprising a display area;
a speaker (<NUM>);
a lifter (<NUM>) comprising:
a motor controller (<NUM>) configured to control the lifter;
a supporting plate (<NUM>) configured to support the display (<NUM>);
is a pair of links (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first link (<NUM>) and a second link (<NUM>);
the first link (<NUM>) of the pair of links rotatably disposed at one end of the supporting plate; the second link (<NUM>) of the pair of links rotatably disposed at another end of the supporting plate; and
a driver (<NUM>) configured to drive the first link (<NUM>) and the second link (<NUM>), wherein the motor controller (<NUM>) is further configured to control the driver (<NUM>) to move the display (<NUM>) upward out of the housing (<NUM>) through an opening (<NUM>) of a top end of the housing, and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to:
control the speaker to output sound and the display to display information of the sound on a first area comprising a portion of the display area when the lifter (<NUM>), controlled by the motor controller (<NUM>), lifts only the first area of the display area to be exposed out of the housing through the opening (<NUM>) of the top end of the housing at a first height position; and
control the display to display an image on the first area and a second area of the display area when the lifter (<NUM>), controlled by the motor controller (<NUM>), lifts the first area and the second area of the display area so that the display area is exposed out of the housing at a second height position.