Cradle for on-vehicle navigation system
A cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system using a portable terminal includes directional sensors, such as a gyro-sensor and an acceleration sensor, and a plate-shaped fixing unit for fixing the on-vehicle navigation system onto a desired surface inside a vehicle. The cradle further includes a support extending upwardly from the fixing unit, a fastening unit rotatably positioned on the support and receiving the portable terminal thereon, and a sensor unit rotatably coupled to the support and provided with a leveler in its uppermost end.
1. A cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system using a portable terminal, comprising:
a fixing unit for fixing the on-vehicle navigation system onto a desired surface inside a vehicle;
a support extending upwardly from the fixing unit;
a fastening unit configured to receive the portable terminal and rotatably positioned on the support; and
a sensor unit rotatably coupled to the support, the sensor unit being provided with a leveler in an uppermost end of the sensor unit.
2. The cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening unit comprises a holder adapted for accommodation of the portable terminal, a speaker set installed on the holder, and at least one key button arranged on the holder and spaced from the speaker set.
3. The cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is configured to accommodate a gyro-sensor and an acceleration sensor therein.
4. The cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit comprises a housing having an opening in the uppermost end, the opening having a shape of hemisphere and provided with a bottom central area; a ball movably accommodated within the opening; and a cover made of a transparent material and adapted to completely close an uppermost surface of the opening, the bottom central area being located at a largest depth from the transparent cover.
5. The cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system according to claim 4 , wherein an annular limiting line is formed on the bottom central area of the opening for defining a permissible limit in movement of the ball within the bottom central area, wherein the ball moving within the permissible level is located substantially along a vertical with respect to a ground.
6. The cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing unit is secured onto a dashboard inside the vehicle.
7. The cradle for an on-vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing unit has a given area of a plate shape.