阅读说明：本技术 包括观察系统的车辆和用于调节观察系统的监视器的位置的方法 (Vehicle comprising a viewing system and method for adjusting the position of a monitor of a viewing system ) 是由 尼古拉斯·贝内 塞巴斯蒂安·迪朗 于 2019-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：车辆(1),包括：-观察系统(20),该观察系统包括至少一个摄像机(25)、监视器(26)以及支撑件(30),该支撑件(30)包括可移动支撑部分(32),该可移动支撑部分支撑监视器(26)并且以可移动方式安装在固定到车辆车架的固定支撑部分(31)上；-偏置系统(35),该偏置系统包括锁定装置(36)和气动释放装置(55),该锁定装置安装在固定支撑部分(31)上并且被构造成向可移动支撑部分(32)施加负载,以将可移动支撑部分(32)维持在相对于固定支撑部分(31)的一定位置上,该气动释放装置被构造成将压缩空气注入到锁定装置(36)中,以将可移动支撑部分(23)从负载中释放。(Vehicle (1) comprising: -a viewing system (20) comprising at least one camera (25), a monitor (26) and a support (30), the support (30) comprising a movable supporting portion (32) supporting the monitor (26) and mounted in a movable manner on a fixed supporting portion (31) fixed to the frame of the vehicle; -a biasing system (35) comprising a locking device (36) mounted on the fixed supporting portion (31) and configured to apply a load to the movable supporting portion (32) to maintain the movable supporting portion (32) in a certain position with respect to the fixed supporting portion (31), and a pneumatic release device (55) configured to inject compressed air into the locking device (36) to release the movable supporting portion (23) from the load.)

1. Vehicle (1) comprising:

-a frame (2), the frame (2) defining a car (4), the car (4) having a driving place, and

-a viewing system (20), the viewing system (20) being configured to provide at least one view of the surroundings of the vehicle (1) to a driver positioned at the driving position,

wherein the viewing system (20) comprises:

at least one camera (25), the at least one camera (25) being configured to acquire a view of the surrounding environment,

at least one monitor (26), said at least one monitor (26) being connected to said camera and configured to display a view of the surrounding environment,

-at least one support (30; 30'), said at least one support (30; 30') comprising a fixed support portion (31; 31') and a movable support portion (32; 32'), said fixed support portion (31; 31') being fixed to said frame (2) inside said compartment (4), said movable support portion (32; 32') supporting said monitor (26), said movable support portion (32; 32') being movably mounted on said fixed support portion (31; 31') to have a plurality of positions with respect to said fixed support portion (31; 31'),

the vehicle (1) being characterized in that the vehicle (1) comprises a biasing system (35; 35'), the biasing system (35; 35') having a locked state in which the movable supporting portion (32; 32') is maintained in one of the plurality of positions relative to the fixed supporting portion (31; 31'), and an unlocked state in which the movable supporting portion (32; 32') is movable relative to the fixed supporting portion (31; 31'), and

the biasing system (35; 35') includes a locking device (36; 36') and a pneumatic release device (55), the locking device (36; 36') being mounted on the fixed support portion (31; 31') and being configured to apply a load to the movable support portion (32; 32') in a locked state of the biasing system (35; 35'), the pneumatic release device (55) being configured to inject compressed air into the locking device (36; 36') at a release pressure in an unlocked state of the biasing system (35; 35') to release the movable support portion (32; 32') from the load.

2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein said locking device (36; 36') comprises:

-a cylinder (37), said cylinder (37) having a housing (38) extending along a cylinder axis (C), said cylinder (37) having an injection portion (39) and an abutment surface (41), said injection portion (39) being provided with an inlet opening (40) opening in said housing (38), said abutment surface (41) extending transversely with respect to said cylinder axis (C) and at a distance from said inlet opening (40) along said cylinder axis (C),

-a locking member (45; 45'), the locking member (45; 45') having:

a base (46; 46'), said base (46; 46') being mounted in said housing (38) of said cylinder (37) between said inlet (40) and said abutment surface (41) for reciprocating movement along said cylinder axis (C), said base (46; 46') defining with said injection portion (39) of said cylinder an injection chamber (42), and

a contact element (47; 47'), said contact element (47; 47') extending from said base (46; 46') and projecting from said cylinder (37) opposite to said injection chamber (42),

-a pushing device (50),

wherein, in the locked state of the biasing system (35; 35'), the thrust device (50) is configured to apply a load between the base (46; 46') of the locking member (45; 45') and the abutment surface (41) of the cylinder (37), the locking member (45; 45') being in a blocking position in which the base (46; 46') is spaced from the abutment surface (41) and the contact element (47; 47') abuts against the movable support portion (32; 32'), and

wherein, in the unlocked state of the biasing system (35; 35'), the pneumatic release device (55) is configured to inject compressed air into the injection chamber (42) through the inlet (40) against the load of the pushing device (50), the locking member (45; 45') being in a release position in which the base (46; 46') is close to the abutment surface (41) and the contact element (47; 47') is spaced apart from the movable support portion (32; 32 ').

3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein said pushing means (50) is an elastic member (51), said elastic member (51) being interposed between said base (46; 46') of said locking member (45; 45') and said abutment surface (41) of said cylinder (37), said elastic member (51) being in an extended condition in the locked condition of said biasing system (35; 35') and said elastic member (51) being in a retracted condition in the unlocked condition of said biasing system (35; 35').

4. Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein said thrust device (50) is a pneumatic thrust device (80), said pneumatic thrust device (80) being configured to inject compressed air at loading pressure between said base (46) of said locking member (45) and said abutment surface (41) of said cylinder (37) in the locked condition of said biasing system (35).

5. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said contact element (47; 47') comprises a rod (48; 48'), said rod (48; 48') extending from said base along an extension axis (E) parallel to said cylinder axis (C) towards a free end (49; 49'), said free end (49; 49') being in contact with said movable support portion (32; 32') in the blocking position of said locking member (45; 45') and said free end (49; 49') being spaced from said movable support portion (32; 32') in the release position of said locking member (45; 45').

6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the contact element (47) comprises a rod (48) and a lever (71), the rod (48) extending from the base along an extension axis (E) parallel to the cylinder axis (C), said lever (71) being rotatably mounted on said rod (48) about a pivot axis perpendicular to said extension axis (E), the lever (71) having a contact surface (73) at a distance from the pivot axis, the lever (71) having a first inclination in the blocking position of the locking member (45) and a second inclination in the release position of the locking member (45), at the first inclination, the contact surface (73) is in contact with the movable support portion (32), at the second inclination, the contact surface (73) is spaced apart from the movable support portion (32).

7. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the movable supporting portion (32) is movable along a displacement direction and has a transverse surface (61) perpendicular to the displacement direction, the transverse surface (61) moving along a stroke when the movable supporting portion (32) moves along the displacement direction, and

wherein the contact element (47) comprises a stop surface (63), the stop surface (63) being arranged to: in the blocking position of the locking member (45), the stop surface (63) is in contact with the lateral surface (61) of the movable supporting portion (32), and in the release position of the locking member (45), the stop surface (63) is spaced from the stroke of the lateral surface (61) of the movable supporting portion (32).

8. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said pneumatic release device (55) comprises a source of compressed air (56), a tube (57) connecting said source of compressed air (55) to said locking device (36; 36'), and an actuator (58) for controlling the supply of compressed air of said source of compressed air (56), said actuator (58) being arranged within said cabin (4) to be actuated by the driver.

9. Vehicle (1) according to claim 8, further comprising a steering wheel (14) at the driving position and a height adjustment system for adjusting the height of the steering wheel (14), the compressed air source (56) and the actuator (58) of the pneumatic release device (55) being part of the height adjustment system.

10. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said movable supporting portion (32) is movable in rotation along at least one rotation axis with respect to said fixed supporting portion (31).

11. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said fixed support portion (31') and said movable support portion (32') have respective spherical contact surfaces configured to slide against each other in the unlocked state of said biasing system (35).

12. A method for adjusting a position of a monitor (26) of a viewing system (20), the viewing system (20) being configured to provide at least one view of a surrounding environment of a vehicle (1) to a driver positioned at a driving position of a cabin (4) of the vehicle (1), the viewing system (20) comprising at least one camera (25), the at least one camera (25) being configured to acquire a view of the surrounding environment, the monitor (26) being connected to the camera (25) and configured to display the view of the surrounding environment, the monitor (26) being supported by a movable support portion (32; 32') of a support (30; 30'), the movable support portion (32; 32') being movably mounted on a fixed support portion (31; 31') of the support (30; 30') to have a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion (31; 31'), the fixed support portion (31; 31') is fixed to a frame (2) of the vehicle (2), the frame (2) defining the compartment (4), and

in a locked state of a biasing system (35; 35'), the movable support part (32; 32') being maintained in one of the plurality of positions relative to the fixed support part (31; 31'), a locking device (36; 36') of the biasing system (35; 35') being mounted on the fixed support part (31; 31') and applying a load to the movable support part (32; 32'),

the method comprises the following steps: -placing the biasing system (35; 35') in an unlocked state in which the movable support part (32; 32') is movable relative to the fixed support part (31; 31'), the pneumatic release means (55) of the biasing system (35; 35') injecting compressed air at a release pressure into the locking means (36; 36') to release the movable support part (32; 32') from the load.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the locking device (36; 36') comprises:

-a cylinder (37), said cylinder (37) having a housing (38) extending along a cylinder axis (C), said cylinder (37) having an injection portion (39) and an abutment surface (41), said injection portion (39) being provided with an inlet opening (40) opening in said housing (38), said abutment surface (41) extending transversely with respect to said cylinder axis (C) and at a distance from said inlet opening (40) along said cylinder axis (C),

-a locking member (45; 45'), the locking member (45; 45') having:

a base (46; 46'), said base (46; 46') being mounted in said housing (38) of said cylinder (37) between said inlet (40) and said abutment surface (41) for reciprocating movement along said cylinder axis (C), said base (46; 46') defining with said injection portion (39) of said cylinder an injection chamber (42), and

a contact element (47; 47'), said contact element (47; 47') extending from said base (46; 46') and projecting from said cylinder (37) opposite to said injection chamber (42),

-a pushing device (50),

wherein, in a locked state of the biasing system (35; 35'), the pushing device (50) applies a load between the base (46; 46') of the locking member (45; 45') and the abutment surface (41) of the cylinder (37), the locking member (45; 45') being in a blocking position in which the base (46; 46') is spaced from the abutment surface (41) and the contact element (35; 35') abuts the movable support portion (32; 32'), and

wherein, in an unlocked state of the biasing system (35; 35'), the pneumatic release device (55) injects compressed air into the injection chamber (42) through the inlet (40) against the load of the thrust device (50), the locking member (45; 45') being in a release position in which the base (46; 46') is close to the abutment surface (41) and the contact element (47; 47') is spaced apart from the movable support portion (32; 32 ').

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a viewing system and a method for adjusting the position of a monitor of a viewing system.

Background

Viewing systems are used in vehicles to provide one or more views of the vehicle surroundings to a driver positioned at a driving location in the vehicle cabin.

Viewing systems have long employed mirrors to provide a view.

The mirrors in the viewing system are increasingly replaced by cameras connected to monitors, so that the same view can be provided in a more accurate manner and with better modularity due to the ability to process the view images when acquired by the cameras and/or displayed by the monitors.

The monitor is disposed in a cabin of a vehicle through a support portion including a fixed support portion fixed to a frame of the vehicle and a movable support portion supporting the monitor. The movable support portion is movably mounted on the fixed support portion to have a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion. The position of the monitor can be adjusted to easily access the driving position and improve visibility of an image displayed on the monitor according to lighting conditions and reflections.

However, the monitor may be subject to vibrations, which may not only affect the visibility of the image, but may also shorten the life of the monitor or at least the support.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a vehicle comprising:

-a frame defining a cabin with a driving seat, and

a viewing system configured to provide at least one view of the vehicle surroundings to a driver positioned at a driver's seat,

wherein, this observation system includes:

at least one camera configured to acquire a view of the surrounding environment,

at least one monitor connected to the camera and configured to display a view of the surrounding environment,

at least one support member comprising a fixed support portion fixed to the frame within the passenger compartment and a movable support portion supporting the monitor, the movable support portion being movably mounted on the fixed support portion to have a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion,

wherein the vehicle includes a biasing system having a locked state in which the movable support portion is maintained in one of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion and an unlocked state in which the movable support portion is movable relative to the fixed support portion, and

wherein the biasing system comprises a locking device mounted on the fixed support portion and configured to apply a load to the movable support portion in a locked state of the biasing system, and a pneumatic release device configured to inject compressed air into the locking device at a release pressure in an unlocked state of the biasing system to release the movable support portion from the load.

Thus, the locking device has a suitable stiffness to be able to absorb vibrations by the applied load. Premature ageing of the support and the monitor can be avoided and the visibility of the image displayed on the monitor is no longer affected by vibrations. The load on the movable support part can only be released in case of a clear identification, possibly at the discretion of the driver, to adjust the position of the monitor.

The locking device may include:

a cylinder having a housing extending along a cylinder axis, the cylinder having an injection portion provided with an inlet opening in the housing and an abutment surface extending transversely to the cylinder axis and at a distance from the inlet opening along the cylinder axis,

-a locking member having:

a base mounted in the housing of the cylinder between said inlet and the abutment surface for reciprocating movement along the cylinder axis, the base defining with said injection portion of the cylinder an injection chamber, an

A contact element extending from the base and projecting from the cylinder opposite the injection chamber,

-a pushing device for pushing the sheet material,

wherein, in the locked state of the biasing system, the urging means are configured to apply a load between a base of the locking member and an abutment surface of the cylinder, the locking member being in a blocking position in which said base is spaced from the abutment surface and the contact element abuts against the movable support portion, and

wherein, in the unlocked state of the biasing system, the pneumatic release device is configured to inject compressed air into the injection chamber through the inlet against the load of the pushing device, the locking member is in a release position in which the base is close to the abutment surface and the contact element of the locking member is spaced from the movable support portion.

The urging means may be an elastic member interposed between a base of the locking member and an abutment surface of the cylinder, the elastic member being in an extended state in a locked state of the biasing system and in a retracted state in an unlocked state of the biasing system.

Alternatively, the urging means may be a pneumatic urging means configured to inject compressed air at a loading pressure between the base of the locking member and the abutment surface of the cylinder in the locked state of the biasing system.

The contact element may comprise a rod extending from said base along an extension axis parallel to the cylinder axis towards a free end which is in contact with the movable support portion in the blocking position of the locking member and which is spaced from the movable support portion in the release position of the locking member.

Alternatively, the contact element may comprise a rod extending from said base along an extension axis parallel to the cylinder axis, and a lever rotatably mounted on said rod about a pivot axis perpendicular to the extension axis, the lever having a contact surface at a distance from the pivot axis, the lever having a first inclination in the blocking position of the locking member at which the contact surface is in contact with the movable support portion and a second inclination in the release position of the locking member at which the contact surface is spaced from the movable support portion.

The movable supporting portion is movable in a displacement direction and has a lateral surface perpendicular to the displacement direction, the lateral surface moving along a stroke when the movable supporting portion moves in the displacement direction, and

the contact element may comprise a stop surface arranged to: in the blocking position of the locking member, the stop surface is in contact with the lateral surface of the movable supporting portion, and in the release position of the locking member, the stop surface is spaced from said travel of the lateral surface of the movable supporting portion.

The pneumatic release device may comprise a compressed air source, a tube connecting the compressed air source to said locking device, and an actuator for controlling a compressed air supply of the compressed air source, the actuator being arranged in the vehicle cabin for actuation by the driver.

The vehicle may further include a steering wheel at the driving position and a height adjustment system for adjusting the height of the steering wheel, the compressed air source and the actuator of the pneumatic release device being part of the height adjustment system.

The movable support portion is rotationally movable relative to the fixed support portion along at least one axis of rotation.

Alternatively, the fixed and movable support portions have respective spherical contact surfaces configured to slide against each other in the unlocked state of the biasing system.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a method for adjusting the position of a monitor of a viewing system configured to provide at least one view of the surroundings of a vehicle to a driver positioned at a driving position of a vehicle cabin, the viewing system comprising at least one camera configured to acquire a view of the surroundings, the monitor being connected to the camera and configured to display the view of the surroundings, the monitor being supported by a movable support portion of a support, the movable support portion being movably mounted on a fixed support portion of the support to have a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion, the fixed support portion being fixed to a frame of the vehicle, the frame defining the cabin, and

the movable support portion is maintained in one of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion in a locked state of a biasing system, a locking device of the biasing system is mounted on the fixed support portion and applies a load to the movable support portion,

the method comprises the following steps: placing the biasing system in an unlocked state in which the movable support portion is movable relative to the fixed support portion, the pneumatic release of the biasing system injecting compressed air into the locking device to release the movable support portion from the load.

When the locking means comprises a cylinder, a locking member and a pushing means as defined hereinbefore, in the locked state of the biasing system, the pushing means applies a load between a base of the locking member and an abutment surface of the cylinder, the locking member is in a blocking position in which the base is spaced from the abutment surface and the contact element abuts the movable support portion, and

in the unlocked state of the biasing system, the pneumatic release device injects compressed air into the injection chamber through said inlet against the load of the pushing device, the locking member being in a release position in which the base is close to the abutment surface and the contact element is spaced from the movable support portion.

Drawings

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following disclosure of a particular embodiment of the invention, given as a non-limiting example, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a vehicle including a frame defining a cabin having a driver's seat and a vision system including a camera mounted on a wing to acquire a side view of the vehicle's surroundings,

fig. 2 is a view of the driver's field of view positioned on the driving seat of the vehicle of fig. 1, the viewing system further comprising a monitor, which is arranged in the cabin and connected to the camera, to display a side view of the surroundings,

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a support of the viewing system of the vehicle of FIG. 1, including a fixed support portion fixed to the frame within the passenger compartment and a movable support portion supporting the monitor, the movable support portion being rotatably mounted on the fixed support portion along an axis of rotation to have a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion,

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a biasing system of the vehicle of FIG. 1 in a locked condition in which the movable support portion of the support of FIG. 3 is maintained in one of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion, the biasing system including a locking device mounted on the fixed support portion, the locking member including a cylinder, a locking member including a base reciprocating within the cylinder and including a contact element, and a biasing device applying a load to the movable support portion through the contact element, the biasing device being a resilient member in an extended condition, the contact element including a rod extending from the base toward a free end in contact with the movable support portion,

figure 5 is a diagram of a biasing system in an unlocked state in which the movable supporting part of the support of figure 3 is movable relative to the fixed supporting part, the biasing system comprising a pneumatic release device injecting compressed air into the locking device against the load of a resilient member in a retracted state, the free end of the rod of the contact element being spaced from the movable supporting part,

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a support of a viewing system of a vehicle, the movable support portion having a lateral surface that moves along a stroke when the movable support portion moves in a displacement direction, and the contact element including a stop surface that is arranged to contact the lateral surface of the movable support portion in a locked state of the biasing system and that is arranged to be spaced from the stroke of the lateral surface of the movable support portion in an unlocked state of the biasing system, in accordance with a first variant of the first embodiment of FIG. 3,

fig. 7 is a view of a support of a viewing system of a vehicle, the fixed and movable support portions having overlapping walls to which a load is applied in a locked state of the biasing system,

fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a support of a vision system of a vehicle, according to a third variant of the first embodiment of fig. 3, the biasing system being in a locked state, the contact element comprising a lever which is rotatably mounted on said lever about a pivot axis and which has a contact surface at a distance from the pivot axis and a first inclination at which the contact surface is in contact with the movable supporting part,

figure 9 is a view of a support of the viewing system of the vehicle according to the third variant of figure 8, the biasing system being in an unlocked state, the lever having a second inclination at which the contact surface is spaced from the movable support portion,

fig. 10 is a diagram of a support of a viewing system of a vehicle, according to a fourth variant of the first embodiment of fig. 3, the thrust means being pneumatic thrust means, configured to apply a load by air injection,

fig. 11 is a pictorial view of a support of the viewing system of the vehicle of fig. 1, the fixed and movable support portions having respective spherical contact surfaces configured to slide against each other in an unlocked state of the biasing system,

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a biasing system in a locked state in which a movable support portion of the support of FIG. 11 is maintained in one of a plurality of positions relative to a fixed support portion,

fig. 13 is an illustration of the biasing system in an unlocked state in which the movable support portion of the support of fig. 11 is movable relative to the fixed support portion.

Detailed Description

In the drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar elements.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, although not limited thereto, the vehicle 1 is a tractor of a truck, comprising a frame 2, which frame 2 extends along a longitudinal direction L, which longitudinal direction L corresponds to the direction in which the vehicle 1 moves forward or backward over the ground S. The frame 2 comprises a cab 3 and a chassis 5, the cab 3 defining a cabin 4 having a driving seat in which a driver can sit, and the chassis 5 being adjacent to the cab 3 in the longitudinal direction L. The cab 3 and chassis 5 are mounted on wheels 6 driven by a motor system.

The cab 3 includes:

a floor 10 and a roof 11, which floor 10 and roof 11 delimit the cabin 4 in a vertical direction V, which is perpendicular to the ground S and to the longitudinal direction L,

opposite front and rear walls 12, 13, the opposite front and rear walls 12, 13 delimiting the passenger compartment 4 in the longitudinal direction L, the front wall 12 being provided on the upper part with a windscreen 15 close to the roof 11 and on the lower part with a front control panel 16 close to the floor 11 behind the steering wheel 14,

side walls 18, these side walls 18 delimiting the passenger compartment 4 in a transverse direction T, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the vertical direction V, these side walls 18 being provided with respective driver and passenger doors 19.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 comprises a viewing system 20, which viewing system 20 is configured to provide one or more views of the surroundings of the vehicle 1 to a driver positioned at a driving location.

In fig. 1 and 2, the viewing system 20 is configured to provide, among other things, a side view of the surrounding environment disposed behind and to one side of the driver's seat.

The viewing system 20 includes a camera 25, the camera 25 being configured to acquire a side view of the surrounding environment. The camera 25 is mounted on a side wing 21 on one side of the frame 2 of the vehicle 1, i.e. at a distance from the driving position in the transverse direction T, between the roof 11 and the driver's door 19, which side wing 21 is arranged outside the passenger compartment 4.

The viewing system 20 further comprises a monitor 26, the monitor 26 being connected to the camera 25 and configured to display a side view of the surroundings. The monitor 26 is mounted on a support 30, the support 30 being disposed within the cabin 4.

In fig. 3, the support 30 includes a fixed support portion 31 and a movable support portion 32, the fixed support portion 31 being fixed to the frame 2 of the vehicle within the vehicle compartment 4, and the movable support portion 32 supporting the monitor 26. The movable supporting portion 32 has a back surface 32b directed toward the fixed supporting portion 31 and a front surface 32a opposite to the back surface 32 b. The movable supporting portion 32 is movably mounted on the fixed supporting portion 31 to have a plurality of positions with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31.

In particular, in the first embodiment, the pivot shaft 33 extending along the transverse direction T connects the movable supporting portion 32 to the fixed supporting portion 31. Thereby, the movable supporting portion 32 is rotatably movable relative to the fixed supporting portion 31 about the rotation axis R parallel to the transverse direction T. The movable support portion 32 is movable in a rotational displacement direction about the rotational axis R, so that the vertical inclination of the monitor 26 can be adjusted.

The vehicle 1 includes a biasing system 35, the biasing system 35 having a locked state in which the movable support portion 32 is maintained in one of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed support portion 31, and an unlocked state in which the movable support portion 32 is movable relative to the fixed support portion 31.

In fig. 4 and 5, the biasing system 35 includes a locking device 36, the locking device 36 being mounted on the fixed support portion 31.

The locking device 36 comprises a cylinder 37 having a housing 38 extending along a cylinder axis C, which in the embodiment shown is parallel to said axis of rotation. The cylinder 37 has an injection portion 39, and the injection portion 39 is provided with an inlet 40 that opens in the housing 38. The cylinder 37 also has an abutment surface 41, which abutment surface 41 extends transversely with respect to the cylinder axis C and at a distance from the inlet 40 along the cylinder axis C. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 40 and the abutment surface 41 are arranged at mutually opposite transverse first and second end walls of the cylinder 37.

The locking device 36 comprises a locking member 45, which locking member 45 has a base 46, which base 46 is mounted in the housing 38 of the cylinder 37 between the inlet 40 and the abutment surface 41 for reciprocating movement along the cylinder axis C. In particular, the outer edge of the base 46 is in close contact with the side wall of the cylinder 37 extending between the first and second end walls of the cylinder 37. The base 46 defines, together with the injection portion 39 of the cylinder 37, an airtight closed injection chamber 42. The locking member 45 also has a contact element 47, which contact element 47 extends from the base 46 and projects from the cylinder 37 opposite the injection chamber 42. The contact member 47 has a rod 48, which rod 48 extends along an extension axis E parallel to the cylinder axis towards a free end 49. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4 and 5, the locking member 45 is configured such that the free end 49 of the contact member 47 protrudes through the first end wall of the cylinder 37 on the inlet 40 side.

The locking device 36 further comprises an urging means 50 in the form of a resilient member 51, in particular a compression spring, which urging means 50 extends between the base 46 of the locking member 45 and the abutment surface 41 of the cylinder 37.

In fig. 4, the elastic member 51 is in the stretched state to place the locking member 45 in the blocking position in which said base is spaced from the abutment surface 41, the rod 48 protrudes from the housing 38 of the cylinder 37, and the free end 49 of the contact element 47 is pushed into abutting contact with the back face 32b of the movable supporting portion 32. Then, the elastic member 51 applies a load to the movable supporting portion 32 of the support 32 so as to maintain the movable supporting portion 32 at one of a plurality of positions with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31. This configuration defines a locked state of the biasing system 35.

The biasing system 35 comprises a pneumatic release device 55, the pneumatic release device 55 being configured to place the biasing system 35 in an unlocked state in which the movable support part 32 is movable relative to the fixed support part 31.

The pneumatic release device 55 comprises a compressed air source 56, a tube 57 connecting the compressed air source 56 to the locking device 36, and an actuator 58 for controlling the compressed air supply of the compressed air source 56. More specifically, the tube 57 is connected to the inlet 40 of the cylinder 37 of the locking device 36. The actuator 58 is disposed at any suitable location within the cabin 4 (e.g., on the front panel 16) for actuation by the driver under any desired conditions. In one advantageous example, the vehicle 1 may also include a height adjustment system for adjusting the height of the steering wheel 14. The compressed air source 56 and actuator 58 of the pneumatic release device 55 may be part of the height adjustment system so that the position of the display may be adjusted while the height of the steering wheel 14 is adjusted.

In fig. 5, when the driver actuates this actuator 58, compressed air from a compressed air source 56 can be injected into the injection chamber 42 through the tube 57 and the inlet 40 to move the elastic member 51 to the retracted state, thereby moving the locking member 45 towards the release position in which the base 46 is close to the abutment surface 41 of the cylinder 37, i.e. the locking member 45 is closer to the abutment surface 41 than in the blocking position, the rod 48 is retracted within the housing of the cylinder 37, and the free end 49 of the contact element 47 is spaced from the back face 32b of the movable supporting portion 32. The compressed air is injected at a release pressure sufficient to overcome the load of the elastic member 51. Then, the movable supporting portion 32 is released from the load of the elastic member 51, and can be moved to any suitable position with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31. This configuration defines the unlocked state of the biasing system 35.

It should be noted that in the locked state of the biasing system 35, no compressed air at all is injected into the injection chamber 42 of the locking device 36, or compressed air is injected at a pressure lower than the release pressure and lower than the load exerted by the resilient member 51.

The invention has been disclosed in relation to a locking device capable of maintaining the movable support part 32 in position by friction of the free end 49 of the contact element 47 to which a sufficient load is applied.

In a first variant shown in fig. 6, the engagement of the contact element 47 with the movable support part 32 may be provided in addition to or instead of friction.

To this end, the movable support part 32 has a first tooth (toothing)60, which first tooth 60 is provided with one or more lateral surfaces 61 perpendicular to the direction of rotational displacement. When the movable support portion 32 moves in the displacement direction, each lateral surface 61 moves along the rotational stroke. The free end 49 of the contact element 47 is provided with a second tooth 62 complementary to the first tooth 60 of the movable supporting portion 32 and has at least one stop surface 63, the at least one stop surface 63 being arranged: in the blocking position of the locking member 45, the at least one stop surface 63 is in contact with the lateral surface 61 of the first toothing 60 of the movable supporting portion 32, and in the release position of the locking member 45, the at least one stop surface 63 is spaced apart from the travel of the lateral surface 61 of the movable supporting portion 32.

These provisions are not limited to the rotational displacement direction of the movable support portion 32, but apply to any displacement direction. They ensure that the moveable support portion 32 is maintained in position even if external forces are applied to the monitor 26, either intentionally or unintentionally. In the case of the rotational displacement direction of the movable support portion 32, they further provide guidance (indexation) of the relative positions of the movable support portion 32 and the fixed support portion 31.

As a problem of position guidance and avoidance of undesired position changes, in a second variant shown in fig. 7, the fixed support part 31 and the movable support part 32 have respective overlapping walls 65, 66, to which overlapping walls 65, 66 a load is applied in the locked state of the biasing system 35. These overlapping walls 65, 66 enhance friction between the fixed support portion 31 and the movable support portion 32 when a load is applied. Further, one of the overlapping walls 65, 66 may be provided with a plug 67, which plug 67 is arranged in a recess 68 formed in the other of the overlapping walls 65, 66, to limit an angular sector (angular sector) in which the movable supporting portion 32 is movable relative to the fixed supporting portion 31.

The invention has been disclosed in relation to a biasing system 35, the locking means 36 of which biasing system 35 extends along the axis of rotation R. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In particular, fig. 8 and 9 show a third variant of the first embodiment, in which the locking means 36 are offset from the rotation axis R and the contact element 47 is adapted in a corresponding manner to be shaped (conform).

In the third modification, the pivot 70 fixed to the movable supporting portion 32 extends along the rotation axis R.

The contact element 47 further comprises a lever 71, which lever 71 is rotatably mounted on the free end 49 of the rod 48 about a pivot axis perpendicular to the extension axis E. In particular, the lever 71 has an opening 72 at a distance from the pivot axis 70, and the pivot axis 70 extends in the opening. The opening 72 is defined by a contact surface 73.

In fig. 8, the biasing system 35 is in the locked state, the elastic member 51 pushing the locking member 45 to the blocking position, so that the lever 71 has a first inclination at which the contact surface 73 is in contact with the pivot 70 of the movable supporting portion 32, thereby preventing any rotation of the movable supporting portion 32 with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31.

In fig. 9, the biasing system 35 is in the unlocked state, and the compressed air injected by the pneumatic release device 55 at said release pressure moves the locking member 45 back to the release position, so that the lever 71 has a second inclination at which the contact surface 73 is spaced from the pivot 70 of the movable supporting portion 32, allowing the movable supporting portion 32 to rotate freely with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31.

The invention has been disclosed in relation to the urging means 50 formed by the elastic member 51. However, the urging means 50 may be of any suitable type to apply a load between the base 46 of the locking member 45 and the abutment surface 41 of the cylinder 37.

For example, in a fourth variant shown in fig. 10, the thrust device 50 is a pneumatic thrust device 80, the pneumatic thrust device 80 being configured to: in the locked state of the biasing system 35, the pneumatic pushing device 80 injects compressed air at a loading pressure between the base 46 of the locking member 45 and the abutment surface 41 of the cylinder 37. In the unlocked state of the biasing system 35, no compressed air at all is injected by the pneumatic pushing means 80, or the compressed air is injected at a loading pressure lower than the release pressure.

The present invention has been disclosed with respect to the movable supporting portion 32, which movable supporting portion 32 is capable of rotational movement along a single rotational axis R with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In particular, the movable supporting portion 32 can move in rotation (possibly in combination) along a plurality of rotation axes with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31. The movable support part 32 is also movable in translation with respect to the fixed support part 31, the locking means 36 of the biasing system 35 being arranged correspondingly.

In this respect, as can be seen in fig. 11 to 13, in the second embodiment, the fixed support portion 31 'and the movable support portion 32' of the support 30 'have respective spherical contact surfaces configured to slide against each other in the unlocked state of the biasing system 35'. The vertical inclination and the horizontal inclination of the movable supporting portion 32 'with respect to the fixed supporting portion 31' are adjustable.

In the present embodiment, the cylinder 37 of the locking device 36 'is arranged substantially along the longitudinal direction L, wherein the second end wall carries an abutment surface 41 in the vicinity of the contact surface of the fixed support portion 31'. The locking member 45' is configured such that: the free end 49 'of the contact member 47' protrudes through the second end wall of the cylinder 37 on the abutment surface 41 side.

The movable support portion 32' has a through hole 34 extending between the back surface 32b ' and the front surface 32a '. The locking device 36 'comprises a friction member 54, which friction member 54 is interposed between a contact surface of the fixed support portion 31' and a back face 32b 'of the movable support portion 32, which back face 32b' carries a corresponding contact surface.

The rod 48' of the contact element 47' of the locking member 45' extends through the through hole 34, and the free end 49' of the rod 48' protrudes from the front face 32a ' of the movable supporting portion 32 '.

As shown in fig. 12, in the locked state of the biasing system 35', the elastic member 51 as the urging means 50 is in an extended state, thereby urging the locking member 45' toward the blocking position in which the rod 48' is retracted within the housing 38 of the cylinder 37. The free end 49 'of the contact element 47' is configured to contact the front face 32a 'of the movable support portion 32'. In the locked state of the biasing system 35', the contact surface of the movable support portion 32' then abuts against the friction member 54 of the locking device 36', thereby preventing the movable support portion 32' from moving relative to the fixed support portion 31 '.

As shown in fig. 13, in the unlocked state of the biasing system 35', the elastic member 51 as the urging means 50 is in an extended state, thereby urging the locking member 45' to the release position in which the rod 48' protrudes from the housing 38 of the cylinder 37. The free end 49 'of the contact element 47' is configured to be spaced apart from the front face 32a 'of the movable support portion 32'. In the unlocked state of the biasing system 35', the movable support portion 32' is released from the load of the resilient member 50 and can be moved to any suitable position relative to the fixed support portion 31 '. An elastically deformable element in the form of a helical spring 85 is interposed between the free end 49' of the contact element 47' and the front face 32a ' of the movable support portion 32' to prevent the monitor from falling off when the biasing system 35' is in the unlocked state.