EP1776900A1

EP1776900A1 - Display device comprising a guiding device

Info

Publication number: EP1776900A1
Application number: EP06122296A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Everardus Joannus Maria Van Vlijmen
Original assignee: Two Eyes Co BV
Current assignee: Two Eyes Co BV
Priority date: 2005-10-18
Filing date: 2006-10-13
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Also published as: NL1030212C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device comprising a flat display screen and to a guiding device (20) arranged for guiding the display screen in a direction of movement from a retracted position to an extended position. The guiding device comprises a first toothed section (21) and a second toothed section (22), which are mounted in the housing of the display device. A rotatable shaft (23) is connected to the display screen, extending substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the display screen. The shaft comprises a first gear (26) arranged to mate with said first toothed section and a second gear (27) arranged to mate with said second toothed section. The invention furthermore relates to a lifting device provided with a guiding device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lifting device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display device comprising a guiding device. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a display device comprising a flat display screen, to a guiding device arranged for guiding the display screen in a direction of movement from a retracted position to an extended position, and to a housing arranged for accommodating the display screen in the retracted position thereof, which housing is provided with an opening for the passage therethrough of the display screen from the retracted position to the extended position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

More and more people have one or more television sets these days. The presence of a television set in a living room, for example, is not always appreciated, however, because such an appliance takes up valuable space or does not go with the interior.
Producers of television sets have tried to gear the design of their products more to consumer needs. A drawback of such an approach, however, is that a specific design will invariably appeal only to a limited number of consumers.
In addition to that, furniture makers have marketed furniture that hide a television set from view when it is not in use. US 6,494,150 , for example, discloses an elevating apparatus for a large, flat television screen, which can be moved in vertical direction by means of a drive mechanism. When the television set is not in use, it can be lowered into the cabinet and thus be hidden from view. A drawback of that approach is that the furniture makers dictate the characteristics of the television set and that thus the degree of flexibility as regards the electrical functions of the television set may be limited.
An improved display device is disclosed in the present applicant's non-prepublished International patent application PCT/ EP2005/052098 . Said document describes a display device that eliminates or at least reduces the drawbacks of the aforesaid approaches.
The increasing dimensions of display screens make increasingly heavy demands on the guidance of said display screens from a retracted position to an extended position and on the stability in the extended position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a display device comprising an improved guiding system.
This object is accomplished by providing a display device comprising a guiding device, which guiding device comprises:

a first toothed section and a second toothed section, which are mounted in the housing and which extend in the direction of movement of the display screen, and
a shaft which is rotatably connected to the display screen and which extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the display screen, which shaft comprises a first gear arranged to mate with said first toothed section and a second gear arranged to mate with said second toothed section.

The fact that the display screen is connected to a shaft that extends perpendicularly to the direction of movement, which shaft can be rotated by mating interaction between gears mounted on the shaft and fixed toothed sections, achieves that the points of attachment of the display screen to the shaft can only undergo the same movement simultaneously. By connecting the shaft to either side of the display screen, i.e. at or near the sides of the screen, the rotational freedom of the display screen in the plane of the display screen is minimised and an adequate guidance and stability of the display screen is achieved.
An advantage of the embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 2 is that the mating interaction of the guide sections and the engaging elements also minimises the rotational freedom of the display screen in one direction or in both directions perpendicular to the plane of the display screen and leads to a further improved guidance and stability. The engaging element may comprise sliding means as well as rolling means.
The advantage of the embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 3 is that the rotational freedom of the display screen is minimised in every direction by mounting the shaft to the engaging elements with a correct fit.
It is noted that the guiding device according to the present invention may also be used for a lifting device in general, as defined in claim 12. Such a lifting device is in particular suitable for the stabilised lifting of objects whose centre of gravity is located above the point of engagement of the lifting device on the object.
Further embodiment and advantages will be discussed in the description of the figures below.
It will be apparent that the embodiment discussed in the description of the figures only serves to illustrate the invention and by no means limits the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the figures:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a display device according to one embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional illustration of a display device according to one embodiment of the invention, which shows the display screen in an extended position thereof;
Figs. 3A and 3B show details of the guide mechanism and the drive mechanism for moving the display screen; and
Figs. 4A and 4B show a lifting device according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figs. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a display device 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the invention will be specifically discussed with reference to a display device hereinafter, it is noted that the guide mechanism (in particular described with reference to Fig. 3A) may also be used for an article of furniture that is arranged for moving a display device (for example a flat television screen or a monitor) (see claim 11).
The display device 1 comprises a flat display screen 2 and a housing 3.
The flat display screen 2 is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a plasma screen or a display screen comprising light-emitting diodes. The display screen 2 comprises a frame having short sides 2A, 2B and long sides 2C, 2D. The dimensions of the display screen 2 are 1 x 1.5 m, for example, but they may vary from 10 x 15 cm to 2 x 4 m. The housing 3 comprises a drive unit 4 and a lifting element 5, such as a threaded shaft (spindle). The drive unit 4 is controlled from a control element 6. The lifting element 5 is also arranged for maintaining the display screen 2 in the extended position. Wheels 7 are mounted to the housing 3 to make it possible to move the display device 1.
The housing 3 further comprises an input 8 for receiving video signals that are to be shown on the display screen 2. The video signals are received by electronic means or by an electronic module 9, such as a tuner, which is fixedly mounted in the housing 3. The tuner 9 is connected to a video card 10 capable of generating LVDS signals for the LCD display screen 2, for example by converting TTL signals into LVDS signals. The use of LVDS signals makes it possible to use a cable 11 of sufficient length to enable movement of the display screen in directions indicated by the arrow A.
The housing 3 further comprises a power source 12 and an input 13 for receiving signals from a remote control unit (not shown).
The housing 3 comprises a metal (for example aluminium) cabinet comprising a front panel 14, a rear panel (not shown), side panels 15, 16, a rigid bottom panel 17, on which the wheels 7 are mounted, and an upper panel 18 in which an opening 19 is provided, through which opening the display screen 2 extends in the extended position thereof. The opening 19 may be provided with wiper means, such as a brush or an O-ring, which remove dust and/or dirt from the display screen 2 upon movement of the display screen from the retracted position to the extended position, and vice versa.
Because of the dimensions of the display screen 2, an adequate guidance is required when the display screen 2 is extended from a retracted position within the housing 3 to the extended position that is shown in Fig. 2. It is in particular desirable to restrict the rotational freedom of the display screen 2 in each of the directions R_x (rotation in the plane of the display screen 2), R_y, R_z (rotations perpendicular to the plane of the display screen 2), or to prevent such rotations altogether. The guiding and stabilising mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 3A-3C.
Fig. 3A shows the display screen 2 and a guiding device 20 as well as a detail of the guiding device 20. Fig. 3B shows a rear view of the display screen 2, in which the drive unit for moving the display screen 2 is shown in more detail.
The guiding device 20 comprises a first section 21 and a second toothed section 22, also referred to as gear racks, which are fixed to the side panels 15, 16 of the housing 3 and which extends in the direction of movement A of the display screen 2 as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B.
The guiding device 20 furthermore comprises a shaft 23 which is rotatably connected to the display screen via U-shaped sliding shoes 24, 25, which are attached to the sides 2A, 2B of the frame of the display screen 2. It will be understood that the sliding shoes 24, 25 may also be attached to the long side 2D of the display screen 2 for carrying the shaft 23. The sliding shoes 24, 25 are preferably spaced apart as far as possible.
The shaft 23 extends perpendicularly to the direction of movement A in the plane of the display screen 2 or a parallel plane, it comprises a first gear 26 and a second gear 27, which mate with the first toothed section 21 and the second toothed section 22, respectively.
The guiding device 20 further comprises a first slide guide section 28 and a second slide guide section 29 having a U-shaped structure, whilst a leg of the respective U-shaped sliding shoes 24, 25 extends between the legs of the U-shaped structures of the slide guide sections 28, 29. The movement of the U-shaped sliding shoes 24, 25 can thus be guided by the slide guide sections 28, 29. The width of the legs of the U-shaped sliding shoes is such that they engage a sufficiently large part of the projecting portion of the slide guide sections 28, 29 to prevent or at least strongly reduce rotation in the direction R_y. Furthermore it is possible to realise a sufficiently precise fit for restricting the rotational freedom in the direction R_z as well.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first toothed section 21 and the first slide guide section 28 and also the second toothed section 22 and the second slide guide section 29 are integrated into one guide section. The guide sections are preferably fixed to the side panels 15, 16 of the housing 3 or form an integrated part of said side panels 15, 16. The sections may extend from the bottom panel 17 to the upper panel 18, or over a part thereof.
When the display screen 2 moves in the direction of movement A from a retracted position within the housing 3 to an extended position as shown in Fig. 2 upon being driven by the drive unit 4 via the spindle 5 (see Fig. 3B), the guiding device functions as follows.
The sliding shoes 24, 25 move upwards with the display screen 2 along the respective slide guide sections 28, 29. The rotational freedom in the directions R_y and R_z is strongly restricted in every position of the display screen as a result of the interaction between the legs of the U-shaped sliding shoes and the U-shaped structures of the guide sections 28, 29. Because the shaft 23 is rotatably supported in the sliding shoes 24, 25 that are fixed to both sides of the display screen 2, and because the gears 26, 27 of the shaft 23 mate with the gear racks 21, 22, respectively, which are fixedly mounted in the housing 3, the rotational freedom of the display screen 2 in the direction R_x is minimal as well. Thus the guiding device 20 is not overdefined and provides an adequate guidance of the display screen 2 to the extended position and stabilisation of the display screen 2 in this position.
It is noted that although the above embodiment relates to the movement of a display screen 2 from a housing 3 by means of a lifting and guiding device, the mechanism for moving the display screen 2 can be used more in general for moving bodies in vertical direction. In such a construction, the first and the second toothed sections 21, 22 of the guiding device are vertically oriented, and the shaft 23 is rotatably connected to the body to be moved and provided with a first gear arranged to mate with the first toothed section and a second gear arranged to mate with the second toothed section. The lifting device for the body further comprises a spindle 5 for lifting and lowering the body, which spindle 5 is arranged to mate with the body for moving the body, and which extends substantially in the direction of movement of the body. The guiding device of the lifting device may also comprise a first guide section 28 and a second guide section 29, which extend parallel to each other in the direction of movement A of the body.
Figs. 4A and 4B show an embodiment of such a lifting device. Fig. 4A is a perspective view, whilst Fig. 4B is a plan view. Unlike the embodiment that is shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the guide sections 28 and 29 are integrated by means of a wall 30, which is advantageous for cost reasons. The integrated guide section is closed by a mechanical stop 31 and can be mounted to a support as one unit. The guide sections 28, 29 and the wall 30 are made of steel sheeting. The toothed sections 21, 22 have been pressed into the wall 30. The gears 26 are interconnected via a shaft 23, which is rotatable with respect to the body 2, said gears being positioned to mate with the toothed sections 21, 22 that have been pressed into the wall 30. The guiding of the body 2 takes place by roller means 24, 25, which are each individually guided in the guide sections 28, 29. The body 2 is guided along the spindle 5 by means of a motor 4.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the body 2 is arranged for lifting further objects (not shown) which can be fixedly connected to the body via points of attachment 32. Examples of such further objects are: a display screen as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, paint cans in mixing installations and, more in general, objects whose centre of gravity is located above the point of engagement between the body 2 and the further object, so that stability during the lifting movement is an important factor. It stands to reason that also the body 2 itself may be the object to be lifted.

Claims

A display device comprising a flat display screen, a guiding device arranged for guiding the display screen in a direction of movement from a retracted position to an extended position, and a housing arranged for accommodating the display screen in the retracted position thereof, which housing is provided with an opening for the passage therethrough of the display screen from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the guiding device comprises:
- a first toothed section and a second toothed section, which are mounted in the housing and which extend in the direction of movement of the display screen, and

- a shaft which is rotatably connected to the display screen and which extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the display screen, which shaft comprises a first gear arranged to mate with said first toothed section and a second gear arranged to mate with said second toothed section.
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding device further comprises:
- a first guide section, preferably a slide guide section, and a second guide section, preferably a slide guide section, which are mounted in the housing and which extend in the direction of movement,

- a first engaging element and a second engaging element, which are fixedly connected to the display screen and which are arranged to mate with the first guide section and the second guide section, respectively.
The display device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft is rotatably connected to the first and the second engaging element.
The display device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first engaging element and the second engaging element comprise a first and a second U-shaped sliding shoe, and wherein the first and the second slide guide section likewise comprise a U-shaped structure, so that a leg of the U-shaped first and second sliding shoe extends between the legs of the U-shaped structure.
The display device according to any one or more of the claims 2-4, wherein the first toothed section and the first guide section form an integrated first guide section and wherein the second toothed section and the second guide section form an integrated second guide section.
The display device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, which walls extend in the direction of movement of the display screen, and wherein the first toothed section and the second toothed section are fixed to the first side wall and the second side wall, are respectively, of the housing or form an integral part thereof.
The display device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a drive mechanism for moving the display screen from the retracted position to the extended position.
The display device according to claim 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a spindle and wherein the display screen comprises a receiving structure arranged to mate with the spindle for the purpose of moving the display screen.
The display device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises at least one module for displaying picture information on the display screen, preferably a module for processing incoming video signals.
The display device according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the display device is fitted with wheels for moving the display device.
A device for accommodating a flat display screen, comprising a guiding device arranged for guiding the display screen in a direction of movement from a retracted position to an extended position, and a space for accommodating the display screen in the retracted position thereof, which device is provided with an opening for the passage therethrough of the display screen from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the guiding device comprises:
- a first toothed section and a second toothed section, which are mounted in said space and which extend in the direction of movement of the display screen, and

- a shaft which is rotatably connected to the display screen and which extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the display screen, which shaft comprises a first gear arranged to mate with said first toothed section and a second gear arranged to mate with said second toothed section.
A lifting device for moving a body in a direction of movement between a first, lower position and a second, higher position, wherein the lifting device comprises a guiding device provided with:
- a first toothed section and a second toothed section, which sections extend in the direction of movement of the body, and

- a shaft which is rotatably connected to the body and which extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the body, which shaft comprises a first gear arranged to mate with said first toothed section and a second gear arranged to mate with said second toothed section.
The lifting device according to claim 12, further comprising a spindle arranged to mate with the body for the purpose of moving the body, wherein said spindle extends substantially in the direction of movement of the body.
The lifting device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the guiding device further comprises:
- a first guide section and a second guide section, which extend in the direction of movement, and

- a first engaging element and a second engaging element, which are connected to the body and which are arranged to mate with the first guide section and the second guide section, respectively.
The lifting device according to claim 14, wherein the first engaging element and the second engaging element comprise slide guides or roller guides.
The lifting device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first guide section and the second guide section form an integrated guide section, and wherein the integrated guide section comprises the first toothed section and the second toothed section.