IP Library Granted Patent US 11,890,993
Granted Patent B2
US 11,890,993 · App. 17/579,863 · Granted Feb 6, 2024

Display unit for a vehicle

Inventors: Samuel A. Carswell (Yorba Linda, CA); Austin Cotler (Westminster, CA); John Park (Anaheim, CA); Ernesto Ramirez (Downey, CA); Steve Sargeant (Placentia, CA)
Assignee: Safran Passenger Innovations LLC
B60R11/02B64D11/0015B64D11/00152G06F1/1632B60R2011/0015B60R2011/0075
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,890,993
App. No.
17/579,863
Granted
Feb 6, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An entertainment system including a removable seat-back display unit and a docking station. The seat-back display unit can include a rotating latch butterfly release mechanism that prevents unauthorized release of the display unit from the docking station. The system can include a three-point attachment system that provides additional protection against accidental detachment of the display unit, and provide safety in the event of partial dislodging. The system can include a current control pin system that ensures that current is not provided from the docking station to the display unit until the respective connectors have been properly engaged. The system can also include a heat dissipation system that employs the docking station to share the heat dissipation load with the display unit.

Claims (34)

1. An engagement system for a removable entertainment system, comprising:

a removable display unit, comprising:

a first hook extending from an underside of the display unit at a first position, the first hook curved toward a front side of the display unit, wherein the first hook is attached to the display unit such that the first hook cannot move relative to the display unit;

a second hook extending from the underside of the display unit at a second position, the second hook curved toward the front side of the display unit, wherein the second hook is attached to the display unit such that the second hook cannot move relative to the display unit; and

a display attachment mechanism disposed on a rear side or a top side of the display unit; and

a docking station configured to receive the display unit, comprising:

a rear panel having a first aperture configured to receive the first hook and a second aperture configured to receive the second hook;

a docking attachment mechanism configured to couple with the display attachment mechanism.

2. The engagement system of claim 1 , the docking station further comprising at least one alignment tab configured to interact with a corresponding at least one display alignment surface of the display unit, such that contact between the at least one alignment tab and the at least display alignment surface cause the alignment of the display unit and docking station during installation of the display unit into the docking station.

3. The engagement system of claim 2 , the display unit further comprising:

at least one display alignment component that includes the at least one display alignment surface, the at least one display alignment component further comprising a lateral surface configured to contact a corresponding lateral surface of the corresponding at least one alignment tab;

wherein the contact between the lateral surface of the at least one display alignment surface and the corresponding lateral surface of the at least one alignment tab prevents movement of the display unit relative to the docking station in the direction of contact.

4. The engagement system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one display alignment component comprises a cavity configured to receive the at least one alignment tab.

5. The engagement system of claim 3 , wherein:

the display unit further comprises at least one heat sink thermally coupled to a heat source and the first hook; and

the first hook and first aperture are made of thermally conductive materials.

6. The engagement system of claim 5 , the docking station further comprising a thermally conductive element thermally coupled to the first aperture.

7. The engagement system of claim 1 , wherein an end of the first hook contacts an underside surface of the rear panel adjacent to the first aperture.

8. The engagement system of claim 7 , wherein the first hook has a varying thickness, such that the first hook is tapered from a narrow thickness at an end to a wider thickness at the rear panel.

9. The engagement system of claim 8 , wherein the varying thickness of the first hook guides the first hook into a proper place within the first aperture.

10. The engagement system of claim 8 , wherein the first hook cannot move forward or backward when inserted within the first aperture.

11. The engagement system of claim 1 , wherein an interaction between the first hook and the first aperture, and an interaction between the second hook and the second aperture, restricts movement of the display unit along the X-axis and the Y-axis.

12. An engagement system for a removable entertainment system, comprising:

a removable display unit, comprising:

a first hook extending from an underside of the display unit at a first position, the first hook curved toward a front side of the display unit;

a second hook extending from the underside of the display unit at a second position, the second hook curved toward the front side of the display unit; and

a display attachment mechanism disposed on a rear side or a top side of the display unit; and

a docking station configured to receive the display unit, comprising:

a first aperture configured to receive the first hook;

a second aperture configured to receive the second hook;

a docking attachment system configured to couple with the display attachment mechanism;

wherein the docking attachment system comprises a latch butterfly, and wherein the latch butterfly comprises a body and a latch head rotationally coupled to the body.

13. The engagement system of claim 12 , wherein the body includes a rotational component configured to permit rotation of the body around a first axis of rotation, wherein rotating the body around the first axis of rotation from a lock position to an unlock position actuates a release mechanism.

14. The engagement system of claim 13 , wherein the latch head is configured to rotate relative to the body about a second axis of rotation, and wherein the latch head comprises a first contact point disposed on a first side of the second axis of rotation and a second contact point disposed on a second side of the second axis of rotation, and wherein the cover includes a first perforation aligned with the first contact point and a second perforation aligned with the second contact point.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 18, 2026
From: SAFRAN PASSENGER INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: RAVE AEROSPACE, LLC
Reel/Frame 074923/0505 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2026
From: SAFRAN PASSENGER INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: SAGARD HOLDINGS MANAGER LP
Reel/Frame 074666/0743 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2026
From: SAFRAN PASSENGER INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074612/0317 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2022
From: CARSWELL, SAMUEL A.; COTLER, AUSTIN; PARK, JOHN; RAMIREZ, ERNESTO; SARGEANT, STEVE
To: SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ENTERPRISES, LLC
Reel/Frame 058708/0502 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 20, 2022
From: SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE ENTERPRISES, LLC
To: SAFRAN PASSENGER INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 058785/0817 →
Continuity (3)
Division 16241666 · Jan 7, 2019
Division 15272108 · Sep 21, 2016
Related Publication 20220161737A1 · May 26, 2022