U.S. patent application number 11/624944 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for in-wall display device.
This patent application is currently assigned to COSTEL CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Gong-hyun RYU.
Application Number | 20070170325 11/624944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38284598 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070170325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RYU; Gong-hyun |
July 26, 2007 |
IN-WALL DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
An in-wall display device is provided, including: a receiving
unit to receive the in-wall display device; a display unit which is
deposited in and drawn out from the receiving unit; a hinge
assembly including a plurality of hinge units which is fixed to the
receiving unit and the display unit to deposit and draw out the
display unit and adjust viewing direction of the display unit;
driving units to rotate the hinge units; and a controller including
a driving control unit to control the driving units based on
driving instructions.
Inventors: |
RYU; Gong-hyun;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
55 GRIFFIN ROAD SOUTH
BLOOMFIELD
CT
06002
US
|
Assignee: |
COSTEL CO., LTD
Seongnam-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
38284598 |
Appl. No.: |
11/624944 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/276.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/02 20130101;
F16M 11/2092 20130101; F16M 2200/065 20130101; F16M 11/2014
20130101; F16M 11/08 20130101; F16M 11/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/276.1 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/00 20060101
E04G003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0006711 |
Claims
1. An in-wall display device, comprising: a receiving unit to
receive the in-wall display device; a display unit which is
deposited in and drawn out from the receiving unit; a hinge
assembly including a plurality of hinge units which is fixed to the
receiving unit and the display unit to deposit and draw out the
display unit and adjust viewing direction of the display unit;
driving units to rotate the hinge units; and a controller including
a driving control unit to control the driving units based on
driving instructions.
2. The in-wall display device of claim 1, wherein the hinge
assembly comprises: a first bracket which is fixed to a rear side
of the display unit; a second bracket which is fixed to a front
side of the receiving unit; a first rotating unit which is
hinge-coupled to the first bracket; and a second rotating unit
which is hinge-coupled to the first rotating unit at an end, is
hinge-coupled to the second bracket at the other end, and has a
recess to receive the first rotating unit when the display unit is
deposited in the receiving unit.
3. The in-wall display device of claim 2, wherein the driving unit
comprises: a first motor which is provided on the first rotating
unit to be adjacent to the first bracket and is shaft-coupled with
a first driving gear; a first fixed gear which is provided at a
center of rotation of the first bracket and is engaged with the
first driving gear; a second motor which is provided on the first
rotating unit to be adjacent to the second rotating unit and is
shaft-coupled with a second driving gear; a second fixed gear which
is provided at a center of rotation of the second rotating unit and
is engaged with the second driving gear; a third motor which is
provided on the second rotating unit to be adjacent to the second
bracket and is shaft-coupled with a third driving gear; and a third
fixed gear which is provided at a center of rotation of the second
bracket and is engaged with the third driving gear.
4. The in-wall display device of claim 1, further comprising a
storage unit, wherein the controller further comprises a
displacement information processing unit to acquire displacement
information of each of the driving units that is controlled by the
driving control unit and to store the displacement information in
the storage unit, and wherein the driving control unit refers to
the displacement information stored in the storage unit to control
each of the driving units based on driving instructions.
5. The in-wall display device of claim 2, further comprising a
storage unit, wherein the controller further comprises a
displacement information processing unit to acquire displacement
information of each of the driving units that is controlled by the
driving control unit and to store the displacement information in
the storage unit, and wherein the driving control unit refers to
the displacement information stored in the storage unit to control
each of the driving units based on driving instructions.
6. The in-wall display device of claim 3, further comprising a
storage unit, wherein the controller further comprises a
displacement information processing unit to acquire displacement
information of each of the driving units that is controlled by the
driving control unit and to store the displacement information in
the storage unit, and wherein the driving control unit refers to
the displacement information stored in the storage unit to control
each of the driving units based on driving instructions.
7. The in-wall display device of claim 4, wherein the displacement
information processing unit stores the displacement information of
each of the driving units in the storage unit based on a user
instruction.
8. The in-wall display device of claim 5, wherein the displacement
information processing unit stores the displacement information of
each of the driving units in the storage unit based on a user
instruction.
9. The in-wall display device of claim 6, wherein the displacement
information processing unit stores the displacement information of
each of the driving units in the storage unit based on a user
instruction.
10. An in-wall display device comprising: a fixed case which is
fixed in a recess of a wall in a house and has an opening formed on
a front side of the fixed case; a main body which is provided in
the fixed case, and has a receiving unit formed on a front side of
the main body and a controller controlling the entire system; a
display unit which is electrically connected through a connection
cable to the main body to display images; a horizontal adjustment
unit which is fixed to the fixed case and the main body between the
fixed case and main body, and is adjusted so that the display unit
can be kept horizontal; a hinge assembly which is used to deposit
and draw out the display unit and adjust viewing direction of the
display unit, and includes a first bracket which is fixed to a rear
side of the display unit; a second bracket which is fixed to a
front side of the receiving unit; a first rotating unit which is
hinge-coupled to the first bracket; and a second rotating unit
which is hinge-coupled to the first rotating unit at an end, is
hinge-coupled to the second bracket at the other end, and has a
recess to receive the first rotating unit when the display unit is
deposited in the receiving unit; driving units to rotate
hinge-coupled parts of the hinge assembly; and a controller
including a driving control unit to control the driving units based
on driving instructions.
11. The in-wall display device of claim 6, wherein the driving unit
comprises: a first motor which is provided on the first rotating
unit to be adjacent to the first bracket and is shaft-coupled with
a first driving gear; a first fixed gear which is provided at a
center of rotation of the first bracket and is engaged with the
first driving gear; a second motor which is provided on the first
rotating unit to be adjacent to the second rotating unit and is
shaft-coupled with a second driving gear; a second fixed gear which
is provided at a center of rotation of the second rotating unit and
is engaged with the second driving gear; a third motor which is
provided on the second rotating unit to be adjacent to the second
bracket and is shaft-coupled with a third driving gear; and a third
fixed gear which is provided at a center of rotation of the second
bracket and is engaged with the third driving gear.
12. The in-wall display device of claim 10, further comprising a
storage unit, wherein the controller further comprises a
displacement information processing unit to acquire displacement
information of each of the driving units that is controlled by the
driving control unit and to store the displacement information in
the storage unit, and wherein the driving control unit refers to
the displacement information stored in the storage unit to control
each of the driving units based on driving instructions.
13. The in-wall display device of claim 11, further comprising a
storage unit, wherein the controller further comprises a
displacement information processing unit to acquire displacement
information of each of the driving units that is controlled by the
driving control unit and to store the displacement information in
the storage unit, and wherein the driving control unit refers to
the displacement information stored in the storage unit to control
each of the driving units based on driving instructions.
14. The in-wall display device of claim 12, wherein the first and
second rotating units of the hinge assembly are provided to rotate
in a horizontal direction.
15. The in-wall display device of claim 13, wherein the first and
second rotating units of the hinge assembly are provided to rotate
in a horizontal direction.
16. The in-wall display device of claim 12, wherein the fixed case
has screw connection holes to be screw-connected with the
horizontal adjustment unit, and wherein the horizontal adjustment
unit has adjustment holes each of which is shaped to correspond to
movement trajectory of the screw connection holes which results
from relative rotation between the horizontal adjustment unit and
the fixed case.
17. The in-wall display device of claim 13, wherein the fixed case
has screw connection holes to be screw-connected with the
horizontal adjustment unit, and wherein the horizontal adjustment
unit has adjustment holes each of which is shaped to correspond to
movement trajectory of the screw connection holes which results
from relative rotation between the horizontal adjustment unit and
the fixed case.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to
Korean Patent Application No. 2006-006711, filed on Jan. 23, 2006,
which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if
fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to in-wall display devices
that can be deposited in and drawn out from walls of houses and the
like.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] With rapid development of industry, houses are not
considered simply as a residential area any more. For example, a
television set is mounted on a wall of a kitchen or bathroom so
that people can view television programs during meal and bath
times.
[0006] Conventional in-wall display devices can be deposited in and
drawn out from walls and provided so that users can view the
display devices at desired positions. However, the users should
manually draw out the display devices from walls, change the
viewing directions of display units of the display devices, and
deposit the display devices in the walls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an in-wall display device
which can be automatically deposited in and drawn out from walls
and can automatically control its directions.
[0008] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in
the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from
the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0009] The present invention discloses an in-wall display device
including: a receiving unit to receive the in-wall display device;
a display unit which is deposited in and drawn out from the
receiving unit; a hinge assembly including a plurality of hinge
units which is fixed to the receiving unit and the display unit to
deposit and draw out the display unit and adjust viewing direction
of the display unit; driving units to rotate the hinge units; and a
controller including a driving control unit to control the driving
units based on driving instructions.
[0010] The present invention also discloses an in-wall display
device including: a fixed case which is fixed in a recess of a wall
in a house and has an opening formed on a front side of the fixed
case; a main body which is provided in the fixed case, and has a
receiving unit formed on a front side of the main body and a
controller controlling the entire system; a display unit which is
electrically connected through a connection cable to the main body
to display images; a horizontal adjustment unit which is fixed to
the fixed case and the main body between the fixed case and main
body, and is adjusted so that the display unit can be kept
horizontal; a hinge assembly which is used to deposit and draw out
the display unit and adjust viewing direction of the display unit,
and includes a first bracket which is fixed to a rear side of the
display unit, a second bracket which is fixed to a front side of
the receiving unit, a first rotating unit which is hinge-coupled to
the first bracket, and a second rotating unit which is
hinge-coupled to the first rotating unit at an end, is
hinge-coupled to the second bracket at the other end, and has a
recess to receive the first rotating unit when the display unit is
deposited in the receiving unit; driving units to rotate
hinge-coupled parts of the hinge assembly; and a controller
including a driving control unit to control the driving units based
on driving instructions.
[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an in-wall display
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the in-wall
display device shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining operation of coupling
a horizontal adjustment unit to a fixed case shown in FIG. 2.
[0016] FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial cross-sectional views showing a
display unit which is drawn out from a wall in FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge assembly
shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a driving unit in the hinge
assembly shown in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the driving unit
shown in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing a waterproof
structure between a main body and a second bracket shown in FIG.
6.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining operation of an
in-wall display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The invention is described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough,
and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled
in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers
and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals
in the drawings denote like elements.
[0023] It will be understood that when an element or layer is
referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or
layer, it can be directly on or directly connected to the other
element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.
In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on"
or "directly connected to" another element or layer, there are no
intervening elements or layers present.
[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an in-wall display
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the in-wall
display device shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] The in-wall display device includes a fixed case 110, a main
body 130 including a receiving unit 131 in the fixed case 110, and
a display unit 170 coupled by a hinge assembly 150 to the receiving
unit 131 of the main body 130. The in-wall display device may
further include a horizontal adjustment unit 120 that is provided
between the main body 130 and the fixed case 110 and coupled to the
main body 130 and the fixed case 110.
[0026] The fixed case 110 includes an opening 111 and an inner
space so that the main body 130 can be deposited in. The fixed case
110 is provided on a wall 10 of a room, such as kitchen or
bathroom. For this purpose, a recess 11 having a size corresponding
to that of the fixed case 110 is formed on the wall 10. The fixed
case 110 is deposited and fixed in the recess 11. The fixed case
110 may be fixed to the recess 11 with cement or the like. A
lattice-like recess (not shown) may be formed on the rear surface
of the fixed case 110 so that the fixed case 110 can be more
securely fixed to the recess 11. A supporting frame 115 is stably
fixed to the fixed case 110 to support the edge of the main body
130.
[0027] The main body 130 is equipped with a controller 200 to
control the entire system, and includes the receiving unit 131 to
receive the display unit 170. The display unit 170 includes a panel
171 to display images. The display unit 170 further includes
speakers 172 on both sides of the panel 171. The display unit 170
is electrically coupled to the main body 130 with a connection
cable 180. The display unit 170 displays image signals transmitted
from the main body 130 and outputs audio signals through the
speakers 172.
[0028] The display unit 170 may further include a key input unit.
For example, when the main body 130 is positioned inside the
in-wall display device such that at least part of the in-wall
display device is not exposed, the display unit 170 may further
include a key input unit. When a remote control is used, the
display unit 170 may further include an infrared-receiving unit to
receive signals of the remote control.
[0029] The hinge assembly 150 is mechanically coupled to the main
body 130 and the display unit 170 so that the display unit 170 can
be deposited in and drawn out from the receiving unit 131 of the
main body 130 and can be controlled in direction. The hinge
assembly 150 includes a first bracket 151, which is fixed to the
rear side of the display unit 170, a second bracket 152, which is
fixed to the front side of the receiving unit 131, a first rotating
unit 153, which is hinge-coupled to the first bracket 151, and a
second rotating unit 154, which is hinge-coupled to the first
rotating unit 153 and the second bracket 152 and has a recess 155
to receive the first rotating unit 153 when the display unit 170 is
deposited in the receiving unit 131.
[0030] The display unit 170 is mechanically coupled to the main
body 130 with the hinge assembly 150. For this purpose, screw
connection holes are formed on the rear side of the display unit
170 to be coupled with the first bracket 151 of the hinge assembly
150, and a first connection unit 175 is provided so that the first
bracket 151 can be inserted. In addition, screw connection holes
are formed in the receiving unit 131 of the main body 130 to be
coupled with the second bracket 152 of the hinge assembly 150, and
a second connection unit 132 is provided so that the second bracket
152 can be inserted. It is preferable that screws fastened to the
second bracket 152 are fastened to the second connection unit 132,
and at least one of the screws is fastened to the horizontal
adjustment unit 120 through the second connection unit 132. Hence,
the display unit 170 can be prevented from sagging downwards due to
its weight when it is drawn out from the receiving unit 131. The
connection cable 180 is provided to pass through the first
connection unit 175 of the display unit 170 and the second
connection unit 132 of the main body 130.
[0031] The display unit 170 coupled by the hinge assembly 150 to
the main body 130 is indirectly coupled to the fixed case 110.
Thus, when the fixed case 110 is not exactly horizontally fixed on
the wall 10, the display unit 170 also cannot be exactly
horizontally provided. As a result, the display unit 170 may be
inclined when viewed by users. This can be kept horizontal using
the horizontal adjustment unit 120 that is provided between the
fixed case 110 and the main body 130.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the horizontal adjustment unit 120 is
shaped in a plate shape and has a plurality of adjustment holes
121. Each of the adjustment holes 121 is shaped to correspond to a
movement trajectory of the screw connection hole 112 which results
from a relative rotation between the horizontal adjustment unit 120
and the fixed case 110. That is, the adjustment hole 121 is formed
such that even though the horizontal adjustment unit 120 rotates
about the fixed case 110 at predetermined angles, the screw
connection hole 112 remains located in the adjustment hole 121
except that the adjustment hole 121 is located at the center of
rotation of the horizontal adjustment unit 120, such that screws
are fastened to both of the screw connection hole 112 and the
adjustment hole 121. It is preferable that the adjustment hole 121
is formed so that the display unit 170 can be kept horizontal. Even
though the fixed case 110 is not exactly horizontally provided in
the wall 10, the display unit 170 can be kept horizontal by
appropriately fixing the horizontal adjustment unit 120 to the
fixed case 110.
[0033] The display unit 170 is configured to be drawn out from the
receiving unit 131 and to be adjusted in viewing angle as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5. For this purpose, the hinge assembly 150 includes
the first rotating unit 153 which is hinge-coupled to the first
bracket 151, and the second rotating unit 154 which is
hinge-coupled to the first rotating unit 153 and second bracket
152. As shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the second rotating
unit 154 has an opening 155 to receive the first rotating unit 153,
such that the size of the receiving unit 131 of the main body 130
is reduced when the first and second rotating units 153 and 154 are
folded up.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the first bracket 151 and the first
rotating unit 153 are hinge-coupled to each other so that the
display unit 170 can be rotated about the first rotating unit 153
at an angle of up to 90.degree. in left and right directions. As a
result, users can view the display unit 170 at any positions. The
first and second rotating units 153 and 154 are hinge-coupled to
each other so that the first rotating unit 153 can be rotated at an
angle of up to 180.degree. with respect to the second rotating unit
154 as shown in FIG. 2. The second rotating unit 154 and the second
bracket 152 are hinge-coupled to each other so that the second
rotating unit 154 can be rotated from a position parallel to the
front side of the receiving unit 131 of the main body 130 to a
position perpendicular to the front side of the receiving unit 131
of the main body 130 as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, it is
preferable that the first bracket 151 and the first rotating unit
153, the first rotating unit 153 and the second rotating unit 154,
and the second rotating unit 154 and the second bracket 152 are
respectively hinge-coupled to each other so that the first and
second rotating units 153 and 154 can be rotated in a horizontal
direction. Accordingly, the display unit 170 can be sufficiently
supported even though it is drawn out from the receiving unit
131.
[0035] The structure of the hinge assembly 150 will be described in
detail with reference to FIG. 6.
[0036] The first bracket 151 includes first shaft-supporting units
151a which are protruded to the first rotating unit 153 and are
separated from each other. The first rotating unit 153 includes a
second shaft-supporting unit 153b which is positioned at an end of
a first base unit 153a adjacent to the first bracket 151 and is
formed to be fit between the first shaft-supporting units 151a. A
first rotating shaft 156a is provided in the first shaft-supporting
units 151b and the second shaft-supporting unit 153b. That is, the
first rotating shaft 156a is fit into the first shaft-supporting
units 151b and the second shaft-supporting unit 153b. A washer and
a nut are joined to a screw tap formed on both ends of the first
rotating shaft 156a, such that the first bracket 151 and the first
rotating unit 153 are hinge-coupled to each other.
[0037] The first rotating unit 153 includes a third
shaft-supporting unit 153c formed on an end of the first base unit
153a adjacent to the second rotating unit 154. The second rotating
unit 154 includes fourth shaft-supporting units 154b which are
positioned at an end of a second base unit 154a adjacent to the
first rotating unit 153 and are positioned on both sides of the
third shaft-supporting unit 153c. The third and fourth
shaft-supporting units 153c and 154b are formed such that the first
rotating unit 153 is not rotated at an angle of more than
180.degree. with respect to the second rotating unit 154. A second
rotating shaft 156b is fit into the third and fourth
shaft-supporting units 153c and 154b. A washer and a nut are joined
to a screw tap formed on both ends of the second rotating shaft
156b, such that the first rotating unit 153 and the second rotating
unit 154 are hinge-coupled to each other.
[0038] The second rotating unit 154 includes a fifth
shaft-supporting unit 154c formed on an end of the second base unit
154a adjacent to the second bracket 152. The second bracket 152
includes sixth shaft-supporting units 152a which are positioned at
an end of the second bracket 152 adjacent to the second rotating
unit 154 and are positioned on both sides of the fifth
shaft-supporting unit 154c. The fifth and sixth shaft-supporting
units 154c and 152a are formed such that the second rotating unit
154 is not rotated at an angle of more than 90.degree. with respect
to the main body 130. A third rotating shaft 156c is fit into the
fifth and sixth shaft-supporting units 154c and 152a. A washer and
a nut are joined to a screw tap formed on both ends of the third
rotating shaft 156c, such that the second rotating unit 154 and the
second bracket 152 are hinge-coupled to each other.
[0039] The first bracket 151 includes a slit part 157a for allowing
the connection cable 180 drawn out from the first connection unit
175 of the display unit 170 to pass through the first bracket 151.
The second bracket 152 includes a slit part 157b for allowing the
connection cable 180 drawn out from the second connection unit 132
of the main body 130 to pass through the second bracket 152. It is
preferable that the connection cable 180 passing through the slit
parts 157a and 157b passes through the hinge-coupled portions of
the first and second rotating units 153 and 154 along the first and
second rotating units 153 and 154. In addition, it is preferable
that the hinge-coupled portions of the first and second rotating
units 153 and 154, i.e., the second, third, and fifth
shaft-supporting units 153b, 153c, and 154c, have recesses 158 at
their central parts.
[0040] Each of the recesses 158 has a width larger than that of the
connection cable 180. The recess 158 separates the connection cable
180 from the first and three rotating shafts 156a, 156b, and 156c
so that the connection cable 180 can be smoothly moved. As a
result, it is possible to prevent the connection cable 180 from
being damaged by the first through three rotating shafts 156a,
156b, and 156c when the first and second rotating units 153 and 154
are rotated. The first rotating unit 153 may have a passage so that
the connection cable 180 can pass through the first rotating unit
153. The passage is formed by joining the base unit 153a and a
cover unit 153d to each other so that the connection cable 180 can
pass through a space between the base unit 153a and the cover unit
153d. Similarly, even though not shown in the drawing, the second
rotating unit 154 may have a passage so that the connection cable
180 can pass through the second rotating unit 154.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, a driving unit includes a plurality of
motors and gears so that a plurality of hinge units of the hinge
assembly 150 can be automatically rotated. The driving unit
includes a first motor 161, a first fixed gear 163, a second motor
164, a second fixed gear 166, a third motor 167, and a third fixed
gear 169.
[0042] The first motor 161 is provided on the first rotating unit
153 to be adjacent to the first bracket 151 and is shaft-coupled
with a first driving gear 162. The first fixed gear 163 is provided
at the center of rotation of the first bracket 151 and is engaged
with the first driving gear 162. The second motor 164 is provided
on the first rotating unit 153 to be adjacent to the second
rotating unit 154 and is shaft-coupled with a second driving gear
165. The second fixed gear 166 is provided at the center of
rotation of the second rotating unit 154 and is engaged with the
second driving gear 165. The third motor 167 is provided on the
second rotating unit 154 to be adjacent to the second bracket 152
and is shaft-coupled with a third driving gear 168. The third fixed
gear 169 is provided at the center of rotation of the second
bracket 152 and is engaged with the third driving gear 168.
[0043] As the first driving gear 162 engaged with the first fixed
gear 163 is rotated by the first motor 161, the first rotating unit
153 is rotated with respect to the first bracket 151.
[0044] In addition, as the second driving gear 165 engaged with the
second fixed gear 166 is rotated by the second motor 164, the first
rotating unit 153 is rotated with respect to the second rotating
unit 154.
[0045] In addition, as the third driving gear 168 engaged with the
third fixed gear 169 is rotated by the third motor 167, the second
rotating unit 154 is rotated with respect to the second bracket
152. The first to third motors 161, 164 and 167 are electrically
connected to the main body 130 via the connection cable 180 and are
driven by a control signal from a controller 200.
[0046] The structure of the driving unit will be described in
detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0047] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the driving unit that is provided between
the second rotating unit 154 and the second bracket 152.
[0048] A recess 154e is formed on the second rotating unit 154 to
be adjacent to the second bracket 152. The third motor 167 is
deposited in and fixed to the recess 154e. The third motor 167 may
be fixed in the recess 154e by typical adhesives. A rotating shaft
of the third motor 167 corresponds to the center of rotation of the
third driving gear 168. A recess 152e is formed on the center of
rotation of the second bracket 152. A fixing shaft 169a of the
third fixed gear 169 is inserted and fixed in the recess 152e. The
third fixed gear 169 and the third driving gear 168 are engaged
with each other.
[0049] Driving units provided between the first bracket 151 and the
first rotating unit 153 and between the first rotating unit 153 and
the second rotating unit 154 may have the above-mentioned
structure.
[0050] Since the connection cable 180 is provided to pass through
the slit parts 137a and 137b of the first and second brackets 131
and 132, water may penetrate into the display unit 170 and the main
body 130 through the slit parts 137a and 137b, causing damage to
circuits. It becomes serious when the in-wall display device is
installed in humid areas such as kitchen or bathroom. Thus, a first
waterproof packing 159 is provided where the first bracket 131 is
joined with the display unit 170, and a second waterproof packing
160 is provided where the second bracket 152 is joined with the
main body 130. Holes 159a and 160a are formed on the first and
second waterproof packing 159 and 160 so that the connection cable
180 can pass through the first and second waterproof packing 159
and 160. The first and second waterproof packing 159 and 160 are
preferably made of rubber.
[0051] A waterproof structure between the main body 130 and the
second bracket 152 will be described in detail with reference to
FIG. 7. The second waterproof packing 160 is positioned between the
second connection unit 132 of the main body 130 and the second
bracket 152, and the connection cable 180 is drawn out from the
second connection unit 132 of the main body 130 and passes through
the slit part 137b of the second bracket 132 via the hole 160a of
the second waterproof packing 160. Recesses 160b and 160c are
formed on opposing surfaces between the second connection unit 132
and the second bracket 152 to insert the second waterproof packing
160. The recesses 160b and 160c are required in order that the
second waterproof packing 160 may not float when tightly pressed.
When the second waterproof packing 160 is interposed between the
second connection unit 132 and the second bracket 152, and the
second connection unit 132 and the second bracket 152 are fastened
with screws, the second waterproof packing 160 is tightly pressed,
thereby preventing water from penetrating through the slit part
157b of the second bracket 152. The waterproof structure between
the main body 130 and the second bracket 152 also can be applied to
prevent water from penetrating between the display unit 170 and the
first bracket 151.
[0052] FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of
an in-wall display device according to an exemplary embodiment of
the invention. An input unit 400 is a typical key input unit and is
provided either on the display unit 170 or on the main body 130.
The input unit 400 includes a number of keys, such as M1 key, M2
key and M3 key, to deposit and draw out the display unit 170 and to
control the direction of the display unit 170. Users can operate
the M1, M2 and M3 keys to deposit and draw out the display unit 170
and to control the direction of the display unit 170.
[0053] A controller 200 may be a microprocessor to control the
entire system. The controller 200 includes a driving control unit
210 to control the first, second and third motors 161, 164 and 167.
The driving control unit 210 receives keys inputted from the input
unit 400 and outputs a control signal through the connection cable
180 to drive the first, second and third motors 161, 164 and 167.
The M1, M2 and M3 motors 161, 164 and 167 are driven by the control
signal. When the motors are driven, gears are operated and hinge
units are rotated. Accordingly, the user can operate the M1 key and
M2 key on the display unit 170 which is embedded as shown in FIG. 2
to draw out the display unit 170 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In
addition, the user can operate the M3 key to control the direction
of the display unit 170 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0054] Accordingly, it is possible to automatically drive a
plurality hinge units to deposit and draw out the display unit and
to control the direction of the display unit in the in-wall display
device according to the embodiment of the invention.
[0055] The in-wall display device may further include a storage
unit 300 to store displacement information. The controller 200 may
further include a displacement information processing unit 220 to
store the displacement information in the storage unit 300. The
displacement information processing unit 220 stores displacement
information of the motors 161, 164 and 167 that are controlled by
the driving control unit 210.
[0056] The motors 161, 164 and 167 may be stepper motors. A stepper
motor is an electromechanical device which converts electrical
pulses into discrete mechanical movements. The shaft or spindle of
a stepper motor rotates in discrete step increments when electrical
command pulses are applied to it in the proper sequence. The
stepper motor is a digital-controlled device, which moves a
rotation angle corresponding to one step (approximately 1.degree.)
per digital pulse signal and continually moves in proportion to the
number of input pulses and pulse input speed per unit time.
[0057] Since the total rotation angle of the stepper motor is
proportional to the total number of input pulses, the displacement
information processing unit 220 acquires displacement information
of each of the motors 161, 164 and 167 that is controlled by the
driving control unit 210. The displacement information may be
either the total number of pulses transmitted to each of the motors
or the rotation angle that is proportional to the pulses
transmitted to each of the motors. The displacement information
processing unit 220 acquires the displacement information from the
driving control unit 210 and stores it in the storage unit 300. The
displacement information processing unit 220 may acquire
information of the rotation angle detected by an encoder and store
it in the storage unit 300. A method of detecting the rotation
angle of a motor by the encoder is well-known in the art, and will
be omitted herein.
[0058] The driving control unit 210 refers to the displacement
information stored in the storage unit 300 to output pulse signals
corresponding to each of the motors 161, 164 and 167. Accordingly,
the display unit 170 deposited in the receiving unit 131 is
automatically drawn out, and the direction of the display unit 170
is automatically controlled.
[0059] A method of actually operating the in-wall display device
will be described in detail.
[0060] A user operates the M1 and M2 keys to draw out the display
unit 170 and operates the M3 key to control the viewing direction
of the display unit 170. When the display unit 170 is adjusted to a
predetermined position and direction, the user pushes a setup key
of the input unit 400. The displacement information processing unit
220 acquires displacement information of each of the motors 161,
164 and 167 from the driving control unit 210 to store a current
setup state of the display unit 170. The storage unit 300 stores
the displacement information of each of the motors 161, 164 and
167. The user pushes a movement key without the need to operate the
M1, M2 and M3 keys to draw out the display unit 170 from the
receiving unit 131 and control the viewing direction of the display
unit 170. When the movement key is pushed, the driving control unit
210 refers to the displacement information stored in the storage
unit 300 to output pulse signals to each of the motors 161, 164 and
167. Accordingly, the display unit 170 is automatically controlled
according to the setup information of the user.
[0061] Although not shown, the input unit 400 may further include a
termination key to automatically deposit the display unit 170. When
the user pushes the termination key, the driving control unit 210
refers to the displacement information stored in the storage unit
300 to output pulse signals to each of the motors 161, 164 and 167.
Accordingly, the display unit 170 is automatically deposited in the
receiving unit 131.
[0062] In the event the display unit 170 is drawn out by pushing
the movement key, displacement information needs not to be stored
since the displacement information is already known. In this case,
the user pushes the termination key, the driving control unit 210
refers to the displacement information stored in the storage unit
300 and outputs pulse signals to each of the motors 161, 164 and
167 to automatically deposit the display unit 170 in the receiving
unit 131.
[0063] While the display unit 170 and main body 130 are provided
separately from each other in the above-mentioned embodiment, the
controller 200 of the main body 130 and the display unit 170 may be
unitarily formed. In this case, the main body 130 is used as the
receiving unit 131.
[0064] As apparent from the above description, the in-wall display
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention can
automatically drive a plurality of hinge units to deposit and draw
out the display unit and control the viewing direction of the
display unit.
[0065] In addition, the in-wall display device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention can store displacement
information of driving units to draw out the display unit and
control the viewing direction of the display unit, and can drive
the driving units based on the displacement information.
[0066] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variation can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *