ROTATABLE VEHICLE DISPLAY SYSTEM POWERED BY A MOTOR HAVING A FLEXIBLE CONNECTION TO THE DISPLAY SYSTEM
The technology disclosed herein enables display screen rotation without compromising passenger impact safety. In a particular example, an apparatus includes a display system including a display screen on a front side of the display system and a mounting interface on a rear side of the display system. The apparatus also includes a bracket to which the mounting interface attaches and a flexible mechanical power transmitter connecting a power output of a motor to a power input at the mounting interface. The flexible mechanical power transmitter rotates the display system around a screen-rotation axis. The motor includes the power output, and the power output rotates around a motor-rotation axis different from the screen-rotation axis.
1 . An apparatus for a motorized rotation of a display in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a display system including a display screen on a front side of the display system and a mounting interface on a rear side of the display system;
a bracket to which the mounting interface attaches;
a flexible mechanical power transmitter connecting a power output of a motor to a power input at the mounting interface, wherein the flexible mechanical power transmitter rotates the display system around a screen-rotation axis; and
the motor including the power output, wherein the power output rotates around a motor-rotation axis different from the screen-rotation axis.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible mechanical power transmitter comprises a flex shaft.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the flex shaft comprises braided wire.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power output comprises an output gear and the power input comprises an input gear, and wherein the flexible mechanical power transmitter comprises a chain engaging the output gear and the input gear.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the output gear rotates around a motor-rotation axis substantially parallel to the screen-rotation axis.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power output comprises an output pulley and the power input comprises an input pully, and wherein the flexible mechanical power transmitter comprises a belt engaging the output pulley and the input pulley.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the motor is mounted to a cross-vehicle beam within a dash of the vehicle.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the bracket is mounted to the cross-vehicle beam.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is configured to buckle when the display system is impacted from the front side while still providing clearance between the display system and the motor.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible mechanical power transmitter deforms from an operating position when the display system is impacted from the front side.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the motorized rotation is limited to rotating the display between a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation.
12 . A method for rotating a display system in a vehicle, the method comprising:
transmitting, from a vehicle compute unit, a rotation signal directing a motor to rotate the display system; and
at the motor, in response to the rotation signal, activating the motor connected to a flexible mechanical power transmitter to rotate the display system around a screen-rotation axis, wherein power output of the motor rotates around a motor-rotation axis different from the screen-rotation axis.
13 . The method of claim 12 , comprising:
receiving, in the vehicle compute unit, user input requesting the display system be rotated, wherein the rotation signal is transmitted in response to the user input.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the rotation signal comprises electrical power to power the motor.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the rotation signal comprises an instruction to power the motor.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein activating the motor rotates the display system between a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation.
17 . An apparatus for a motorized rotation of a display in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a display mounted to a bracket;
a cross-vehicle beam;
the bracket attached to the cross-vehicle beam; and
an interface between the bracket and the display, wherein the interface allows the display to rotate when connected to a flexible mechanical power transmitter connecting a power output of a motor to the display.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , comprising:
the motor attached to the cross-vehicle beam; and
the flexible mechanical power transmitter.
19 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the interface prevents the display from rotating when not connected to a flexible mechanical power transmitter.
20 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the bracket is designed to collapse upon receiving a specified impact force.