WO2018100407A1

WO2018100407A1 - Support device for mobile electronic devices

Info

Publication number: WO2018100407A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/057187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Madhura KARAD; Firoz SIDDIQUI; Jaykumar Bhattad
Original assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems India Private Limited
Priority date: 2016-11-29
Filing date: 2016-11-29
Publication date: 2018-06-07
Also published as: CN210431502U

Abstract

The support device (1) comprises a receiving surface (6) for receiving the mobile electronic device (8) and at least two holding elements (24, 26) arranged to be respectively applied against two opposite edges of the mobile electronic device (8) to maintain said mobile electronic device (8) on said receiving surface (6), one of the holding elements (26) being movable relative to the other and relative to the receiving surface (6) such that the distance between the holding elements (24, 26) can be adjusted, characterized in that the receiving surface (6) comprises a first part (12) and a second part (14), the second part (14) being movable relative to the first part (12) such that the area of the receiving surface (6) can be adjusted, one of the holding elements (24, 26) extending on the first part (12) and the other holding element extending on the second part (14).

Description

S upport device for mobile electronic devices

The present invention relates to a support device for a mobile electronic device of the type comprising a receiving surface for receiving the mobile electronic device and at least two holding elements arranged to be respectively applied against two opposite edges of the mobile electronic device to maintain said mobile electronic device on said receiving surface, one of the holding elements being movable relative to the other and relative to the receiving surface such that the distance between the holding elements can be adjusted.

The invention also relates to a trim element comprising such a support device.

It is known to provide a support device for a mobile electronic device in the compartment of a vehicle. T he support device allows a user to place a mobile electronic device on the support device such that the electronic device can be used or viewed in a user friendly manner without requiring that the user holds the electronic device. S uch a mobile electronic device is for example a mobile phone, more particularly a smart phone, or a touch pad, also known as a tablet. More generally, such a support device is adapted for electronic devices comprising a display having a touch sensitive surface allowing controlling the electronic device by acting on the surface of the display. Consequently, the support device has to be arranged to leave the display surface accessible. F urthermore, the support device has to be arranged to be able to receive electronic devices of various dimensions and/or in various positions, i.e. in a portrait position_, or in a landscape position.

To this end, the support device is generally provided with two holding elements arranged to be applied against opposite edges of the electronic device in order to hold the electronic device between the two holding elements while leaving the display accessible. One of the holding elements is movable relative to the other such that the distance between the holding elements can be adjusted to the dimensions or to the position of the electronic device placed on the support device.

However, having adjustable holding elements is not sufficient to allow receiving all kinds of electronic devices or it would require a holding element that is movable over a large distance, which would exaggeratedly increase the space requirement of the support device. C onsequently, the support devices are generally adapted to receive either a mobile phone of small dimensions or a touch pad of larger dimensions. To receive both kinds of electronic devices, different support devices are therefore required. One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a support device that can receive electronic devices having a large range of dimensions without increasing the bulk of the support device.

To this end, the invention relates to a support device of the afore-mentioned type, wherein the receiving surface comprises a first part and a second part, the second part being movable relative to the first part such that the area of the receiving surface can be adjusted, one of the holding elements extending on the first part and the other holding element extending on the second part.

By allowing adjustment of the distance between the holding elements and of the area of the receiving surface, the support device is suited to receive electronic devices having a large range of dimensions and/or electronic devices both in portrait or in landscape positions. When the second part of the receiving surface is brought close to the first part; the space requirement of the support device is reduced and does not occupy to much space in the vehicle compartment.

According to other features of the support device according to the invention, considered alone or according to all possible technical combinations:

- the movable holding element extends on the movable second part of the receiving surface ;

- the movable holding element is movable along an adjustment direction relative to the other holding element, the second part being movable along the same adjustment direction relative to the first part ;

- one of the holding elements forms an edge of the first part of the receiving surface;

- the support device comprises a holding frame, the first part being movable in rotation relative to said holding frame around a first rotation axis between a folded position, wherein the receiving surface extends in said holding frame, and an extended position, wherein the receiving surface extends out of said holding frame ;

- the support device comprises a base, the holding frame being movable in rotation relative to said base around a second rotation axis, substantially parallel to the first rotation axis, between a folded position, wherein the holding frame is applied against the base, and an extended position, wherein the holding frame protrudes from the base ;

- the first part moves in an anti-clockwise direction around the first rotation axis from the folded position to the extended position and the holding frame moves in a clockwise direction around the second axis from the folded position to the extended position ;

- the holding frame is further movable in rotation relative to the base around a third rotation axis, substantially perpendicular to the first and second rotation axes ; - the base comprises a fixed part and a movable part; the movable part being movable in translation relative to the fixed part between a retracted position, wherein the movable part extends on the fixed part, and an extended position, wherein the movable part protrudes from the fixed part, the holding frame being attached to the movable part ;

- the base comprises at least one locking element, the receiving surface comprising at least one corresponding locking surface, the locking element cooperating with the locking surface when the receiving surface and the holding frame are in the folded position, the locking element being movable in a release position, wherein the locking element is spaced from the corresponding locking surface to allow the holding frame to move to the extended position;

- the base comprises an actuation element the actuation element being arranged to move the locking element in the release position when said actuation element is actuated by a user.

The invention also relates to a trim element for a vehicle comprising a support device as described above.

According to other features of the trim element according to the invention, considered alone or according to all possible technical combinations:

- the trim element forms a central console comprising a storage volume and a cover, covering the storage volume in a closed position, the support device being adjacent to said cover;

- the trim element comprises a support device as defined above, wherein an external face of a plate comprising the receiving surface extends in the continuity of the cover when said cover is in the closed position and said receiving surface and said holding frame are in the folded position.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description, given by way of example and in reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

- F ig. 1 is a perspective view of a trim element comprising a support device according the invention receiving a mobile electronic device,

- F ig. 2 is a perspective view of the support device of F ig. 1 , the holding elements and the receiving surface being in a first end position,

- F ig. 3 is a perspective view of the support device of F ig. 1 , the holding elements and the receiving surface being in a second end position,

- F ig. 4 is a perspective view of the trim element of F ig. 1 , the support device being in a folded position, and

- F igs. 5 to 7 are views of the support device in various positions. In reference with F ig. 1 , a support device 1 integrated in a trim element 2 will be described.

The trim element 2 is a central console intended to be placed between the two front seats of the vehicle and comprising a storage volume for receiving small objects. The storage volume is hidden by a cover 4 extending over the storage volume in a closed position. When the cover is opened, the storage volume is accessible. T he support device 1 extends next to the cover 4 and forms the rear of the central console such that the support device is intended to be used by the rear passengers of the vehicle. It should be understood that the support device 1 could be placed on other kinds of trim elements, such as a dashboard, an armrest a door panel, a seat, etc.

The support device 1 comprises a receiving surface 6 intended to receive a mobile electronic device 8, as shown in F ig. 1 . By receive, it is meant that the mobile electronic device 8 extends over the receiving surface 6 when the support device 1 holds a mobile electronic device 8. The receiving surface 6 is formed by an inner face of a plate 10. The opposite face 1 1 of the plate 10 forms an external face of the support device for example having an aspect chosen to be in accordance with the aspect of the cover 4 of the trim element 2 since the external face is intended to be visible by the passengers of the vehicle.

The plate 10 is made of at least two parts such that the receiving surface 6 comprises a first part 12 and a second part 14 defining together the area of the receiving surface 6. The second part 14 is movable relative to the first part 12 such that the area of the receiving surface 6 can be adjusted by moving the second part 14 relative to the first part 12.T he second part 14 is for example movable in translation along an adjustment direction A relative to the first part 12 such that the area of the receiving surface 6 can be enlarged by spacing the second part 14 from the first part 12 and be reduced by bringing the second part 14 closer to the first part 12.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, and as more particularly visible on F igs. 2 and 3, the first part 12 has a frame shape comprising an upper branch 16 and two lateral branches 18 extending at each end of the upper branch 16. T he lateral branches extend substantially along the adjustment direction A and the upper branch 1 6 extends substantially perpendicularly to the adjustment direction A between upper ends of the lateral branches. T he upper branch 16 and the lateral branches 18 define between them a space receiving in a movable manner the second part 14 of the receiving surface 6. The second part 14 has a shape which is substantially complementary to the shape of the space defined between the upper branch 1 6 and the lateral branches 18, for example a rectangular shape. The second part 14 is mounted on the lateral branches 18 in a slidable manner, meaning that the lateral branches 18 form guiding rails on which two opposite lateral edges 20 of the second part 14 are able to slide along the adjustment direction A, as shown in F igs. 2 and 3. More particularly, the second part 14 can move between two end positions:

- in the first end position shown in F ig. 2, the second part 14 completely extends in the space defined between the upper branch 16 and the lateral branches 18 and the upper edge 22 of the second part 12 is applied against the upper branch 16 of the first part 12;

- in the second end position shown in F ig. 3, the second part 14 protrudes from the space defined between the upper branch 16 and the lateral branches 18 in the adjustment direction A and the upper edge 22 of the second part 14 is spaced from the upper branch 1 6 of the first part 12.

This means that the area of the receiving surface 6 is minimal in the first end position and maximal in the second end position. T he area of the receiving surface can be varied between these minimal and maximal dimensions by moving the second part 14 relative to the first part 12 between these first and second end positions. In the first end position, the receiving surface 6 occupies a minimal space in the adjustment direction A.

The lateral branches 18 of the first part 12 and the lateral edges 20 of the second part 14 are for example provided with appropriate abutment means for defining the second end position and are shaped appropriately to maintain the position of the second part 14 relative to the first part 12 in any positions between the first and second end positions.

The first part 12 and the second part 14 could have a different structure. For example, the first part 12 and the second part 14 could overlap each other in the first end position or the second part 14 could be a telescopic part extending inside a housing formed by the first part 12 in the first end position.

The support device further comprises two holding elements, i.e. a first holding element 24 and a second holding element 26, for holding the mobile electronic device 8 on the receiving surface 6, as shown in F ig. 1. T he first holding element 24 and the second holding element 26 are arranged to be applied against opposite edges of the mobile electronic device 8 and have a shape adapted to prevent the electronic device 8 from falling from the receiving surface 6. To this end, each holding element 24, 26 for example has a holding surface 28 protruding substantially perpendicularly from the receiving surface 6, the holding surfaces 28 of the holding elements 24, 26 facing each other, as shown in F ig. 6. E ach holding surface 28 is applied against an opposite edge of the electronic device 8 to maintain the electronic device between the holding surfaces 28. For example, when the electronic device 8 is held in landscape position, as shown in F ig. 1 , the holding elements 24, 26 and their holding surfaces 28 are applied against the lateral edges of the electronic device 8. When the electronic device 8 is held in portrait position, the holding elements 24, 26 and their holding surfaces 28 are applied against the upper and lower edges of the electronic device 8.

The first holding element 24 is attached to the first part 12 of the receiving surface 6. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first holding element 24 extends along the upper branch 16 of the first part 12. This means that the receiving surface 6 is limited by the holding surface 28 of the first holding element 24, as shown in F igs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. For example, the first holding element 24 extends along the whole length of the upper branch 1 6, i.e. from one lateral branch 18 to the other. The first holding element 24 is immovable relative to the first part 12. The first holding element 24 is for example made integral with the first part 12.

The second holding element 26 extends on the second part 14 of the receiving surface 6 and is movable relative to said second part 14 and therefore relative to the receiving surface 6. More particularly, the second holding element 26 is movable in translation relative the second part 14 along the adjustment direction A. To this end, the second holding element 26 is mounted in a slidable manner on the second part 14. For example, the second part comprises two slots 30 extending in the adjustment direction A and each receiving a guiding pin provided at each lateral end of the second holding element 26. E ach guiding pin is able to slide in the slot 30 in which it is placed, such that the second holding element 26 can move in the adjustment direction A. By moving the second holding element 26 in the adjustment direction A, the distance between the first holding element 24 and the second holding element 26 can be adjusted, meaning that the distance between the holding elements 24, 26 can be adapted to various dimensions of electronic devices.

By providing an adjustable area of the receiving surface 6 and an adjustable distance between the holding elements 24, 26, electronic devices in a large range of dimensions can be received by the support device according to the invention.

For example, by placing the second part 14 in the first end position, the second holding element 26 can be displaced to be adjusted to the dimensions of various mobile phones either in a portrait or in a landscape position. By placing the second part 14 in the second end position, the second holding element 24 can be displaced to be adjusted to the dimensions of various tablets either in a portrait or in a landscape position. Between the first end position and the second end position, the support device 1 can be placed in various positions depending on the dimensions of the electronic device 8 to be received by the support device 1. Consequently, the support device 1 according to the invention is adapted to receive all kinds of mobile electronic devices, notwithstanding the large range of dimensions of these mobile electronic devices.

It is to be understood that the structure of the support device 1 described above can vary. For example, the movable holding element could be placed on the first part of the receiving surface 6 and the immovable holding element could be placed on the second part of the receiving surface. Alternatively, both holding elements could be movable relative to the receiving surface 6.

The support device according to the invention is, according to an embodiment, a foldable support device 1, meaning that the receiving surface 6 and the holding elements 24, 26 can be hidden and be accessible only when the support device 1 is to be used.

To this end, the support device 1 for example comprises a holding frame 32 on which the receiving surface 6 is mounted in a movable manner. The holding frame 32 comprises a lower branch 34 and two lateral branches 36 extending at each end of the lower branch 34. The lower branch 34 is substantially parallel to the upper branch 16 of the first part 12 and the lateral branches 36 are substantially parallel to the lateral branches 18 of the first part 12 and extend on either sides of the receiving surface 6. The lateral branches 18 of the first part 12 are each mounted movable in rotation on one the lateral branches 36 of the holding frame 32 around a first rotation axis Ri. The first rotation axis Ri is substantially parallel to the upper branch 16 of the first part 12 and to the lower branch 34 of the frame 32. The lower branch 34 and the lateral branches 36 define between them a space having substantially the size of the plate 10 on which the receiving surface 6 extends, when the receiving surface 6 is in the first end position. The plate 10 and hence the receiving surface 6 are movable in rotation relative to the holding frame 32 around the first rotation axis Ri between a folded position (Fig.4), wherein the receiving surface 6 in the first end position is received in the space defined between the lower branch 34 and the lateral branches 36, and an extended position (Figs 1 to 3); wherein the receiving surface 6 extends out of the space defined between the lower branch 34 and the lateral branches 36 in the adjustment direction A. The holding frame 32 can be arranged on the trim element 2 such that, in the folded position, the opposite face 11 of the plate 10 is visible from the vehicle compartment while the receiving surface 6 is applied against the trim element 2 and is not visible from the vehicle compartment. When the support element 1 is arranged next to the cover 4 of the central console, the opposite face 11 for example extends in the continuity of the cover 4 as shown in Fig.4 when the receiving surface is in the folded position. In this case, the central console has a pleasant aspect when the opposite face 11 has an aspect in accordance with the aspect of the cover 4 of the trim element 2, as described previously. F rom the folded position to the extended position, the receiving surface 6 for example moves in an anticlockwise direction.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the support device 1 further comprises a base 38 on which the holding frame 32 is mounted in rotation around a second rotation axis R2. T he second rotation axis R2 is substantia lly pa rallel to the first rotation axis R i. T he base 38 is for example a part of the trim panel 2 or is a pa rt attached to the trim pa nel 2. T he lower branch 34 of the holding fra me 32 is movable in rotation a round the second rotation axis R2 relative to the base 38 between a folded position ( F ig. 4), wherein the holding fra me 32 extends against the base 38, and an extended position ( F igs. 1 to 3), wherein the holding frame 32 protrudes from the base 38. F rom the folded position to the extended position, the holding frame 32 moves in an opposite direction compared to the receiving surface 6, i.e. in a clockwise direction when the receiving surface 6 moves in a n anti-clockwise direction.

In the folded position, the base a nd he holding frame 32 are arranged such that the receiving surface 6 in the folded position is applied aga inst a n upper face 40 of the base a nd the externa l face 1 1 of the plate 10 forms the only visible face of the support device, as shown in F ig. 4. In the extended position of both the holding frame 32 a nd of the receiving surface 6, the electronic device 8 can be received by the support device 1 a nd is particula rly visible from the vehicle compartment since the receiving surface 6 is raised at the end of the holding frame 32 as shown in F ig. 1. Between the folded position a nd the extended position, various orientations of the receiving surface 6 ca n be chosen, as shown in F igs. 5 and 6 such that the visibility of the electronic device 8 can be adjusted to the preferences of the passengers.

In order to further improve the choices in the orientation of the receiving surface 6, according to a n embodiment, the holding fra me 32 is further mounted movable in rotation a round a third rotation axis R 3 relative to the base 38. T he third rotation axis R 3 is substa ntia lly perpendicular to the first and second rotation axes R i and R2, as shown in F ig. 7. In this ma nner, the vertica l orientation of the receiving surface can be chosen by rotating the receiving surface 6 and/or the holding frame 32 around rotation axes R 1 a nd R 2 and the left-right orientation of the receiving surface 6 can be chosen by rotating the holding frame 32 around the third rotation axis R 3, as understood from F ig. 7.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the base 38 is further a telescopic part comprising a fixed pa rt 42 and a movable part 44. T he fixed pa rt 42 is attached in an immova ble manner to the trim element 2 and the movable part is mounted movable in translation on the fixed pa rt 42 between a retracted position (F igs. 1 to 5), wherein the movable part 44 extends over the fixed pa rt 42, and an extended position (F igs. 6 and 7), wherein the movable part 44 protrudes from the fixed part 42. The holding frame 32 is mounted on the movable part 44 such that the holding frame 32 and the receiving surface 6 move with the movable part 44 relative to the fixed part 42. T he direction of the translation of the movable part 44 relative to the fixed part 42 is for example substantially perpendicular to the first, second and third rotation axes R 1 , R2 and R 3, such that displacing the movable part 44 between the retracted and the extended positions allows adjusting the position of the receiving surface 6 in the rear-front direction of the vehicle.

C onsequently, the support device 1 described above allows placing the mobile electronic device in a large range of positions such that the display of the mobile electronic device can be viewed from any place in the vehicle compartment in an optimal manner.

According to an embodiment, the base 38 is provided with at least one locking element 46 arranged to cooperate with at least one corresponding locking surface 48 provided on the receiving surface 6 when the receiving surface 6 and the holding frame 42 are in the folded position to maintain the support device 1 in the folded position as shown in F ig. 4. The locking element 46 is for example formed by a hook protruding from the upper face 40 of the base 38 and engaged in a corresponding aperture provided in the receiving surface 6 in the folded position of the receiving surface 6 and of the holding frame 32, the locking surface 48 being formed by an edge of this aperture. When the hook is engaged in the aperture, the locking element 46 is applied against the locking surface 48 and retains the receiving surface 6 and the holding frame 32 in the folded position. T he locking element 46 is movable in a release position, wherein the locking element 46 is spaced from the corresponding locking surface 48 to allow the holding frame 32 to move to the extended position. In the release position, the hook can move out of the aperture such that the holding frame 32 and the receiving surface 6 can move to the extended position.

According to an embodiment, the base 38 comprises an actuation element 50 arranged to move the locking element 46 in the release position when said actuation element 50 is actuated by a user. T he actuation element 50 is for example formed by a push-button that a user can press on a lateral face of the base 38, pressing the pushbutton causing the locking element 46 to move to the release position. The user can then move the reception surface 6 and the holding frame 32 to the extended position.

S everal locking elements 46 and corresponding locking surfaces 48 can be provided. T he actuation element 50 is then arranged to move all the locking elements 46 simultaneously to the release position when the actuation element 50 is actuated. According to an embodiment the holding frame 32 and the reception surface 6 can be arranged to move automatically to an extended position when the actuation element 50 is actuated. In order to do so, biasing elements can be arranged around the first rotation axis R 1 and around the second rotation axis R2 to urge the reception surface 6 and the holding frame 32 towards the extended position such that when the locking element 46 does not cooperate with the corresponding locking surface 48, the holding frame 32 and the reception surface 6 are moved to the extended position under the force exerted by the biasing elements.

The support device 1 described above can therefore receive a large range of mobile electronic devices 8 and position the received electronic device in the wanted position by moving the reception surface 6, the holding frame 32 and the base 38 accordingly. F urthermore, in the folded position, the aspect of the support device is satisfactory since the support device 1 blends with the rest of the trim element.

Claims

C LAIMS

1 . - S upport device (1 ) for a mobile electronic device (8), comprising a receiving surface (6) for receiving the mobile electronic device (8) and at least two holding elements (24, 26) arranged to be respectively applied against two opposite edges of the mobile electronic device (8) to maintain said mobile electronic device (8) on said receiving surface (6), one of the holding elements (26) being movable relative to the other and relative to the receiving surface (6) such that the distance between the holding elements (24, 26) can be adjusted, characterized in that the receiving surface (6) comprises a first part (12) and a second part (14), the second part (14) being movable relative to the first part (12) such that the area of the receiving surface (6) can be adjusted, one of the holding elements (24, 26) extending on the first part (12) and the other holding element extending on the second part (14).

2. - S upport device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable holding element (26) extends on the movable second part (14) of the receiving surface (6).

3. - S upport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable holding element (26) is movable along an adjustment direction (A) relative to the other holding element (24), the second part (14) being movable along the same adjustment direction (A) relative to the first part (12).

4. - S upport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the holding elements (24) forms an edge of the first part (12) of the receiving surface (6).

5. - S upport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a holding frame (32), the first part (12) being movable in rotation relative to said holding frame (32) around a first rotation axis (R i) between a folded position, wherein the receiving surface (6) extends in said holding frame (32), and an extended position, wherein the receiving surface (6) extends out of said holding frame (32).

6. - S upport device according to claim 5, further comprising a base (38), the holding frame (32) being movable in rotation relative to said base (38) around a second rotation axis ( R2), substantially parallel to the first rotation axis ( R i), between a folded position, wherein the holding frame (32) is applied against the base (38), and an extended position, wherein the holding frame (32) protrudes from the base (38).

7. - S upport device according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the first part (12) moves in an anti-clockwise direction around the first rotation axis ( R i) from the folded position to the extended position and the holding frame (32) moves in a clockwise direction around the second axis ( R2) from the folded position to the extended position.

8. - S upport device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the holding frame (32) is further movable in rotation relative to the base (38) around a third rotation axis ( R3), substantially perpendicular to the first and second rotation axes ( R i, R 2).

9. - S upport device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the base (38) comprises a fixed part(42) and a movable part (44), the movable part (44) being movable in translation relative to the fixed part (42) between a retracted position, wherein the movable part (44) extends on the fixed part (42), and an extended position, wherein the movable part (44) protrudes from the fixed part (42), the holding frame (32) being attached to the movable part (44).

10. - S upport device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the base (38) comprises at least one locking element (46), the receiving surface (6) comprising at least one corresponding locking surface (48), the locking element (46) cooperating with the locking surface (48) when the receiving surface (6) and the holding frame (32) are in the folded position, the locking element (46) being movable in a release position, wherein the locking element (46) is spaced from the corresponding locking surface (48) to allow the holding frame (32) to move to the extended position.

1 1. S upport device according to claim 10, wherein the base (38) comprises an actuation element (50), the actuation element (50) being arranged to move the locking element (46) in the release position when said actuation element (50) is actuated by a user.

12. - T rim element (2) for a vehicle, comprising a support device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1.

13. - Trim element according to claim 1 1 , wherein the trim element (2) forms a central console comprising a storage volume and a cover (4), covering the storage volume in a closed position, the support device (1 ) being adjacent to said cover.

14. - Trim element according to claim 13 comprising a support device (1 ) according to any one of claims 6 to 1 1 , wherein an external face (1 1 ) of a plate (10) comprising the receiving surface (6) extends in the continuity of the cover (4) when said cover (4) is in the closed position and said receiving surface (6) and said holding frame (32) are in the folded position.