LU102879B1

LU102879B1 - Collapsible Display System

Info

Publication number: LU102879B1
Application number: LU102879A
Authority: LU
Inventors: Luca Lehnert
Original assignee: Luca Lehnert
Priority date: 2021-11-25
Filing date: 2021-11-25
Publication date: 2023-06-02

Abstract

A collapsible display system comprises a display unit, a base unit, a folding mechanism, a detection system. The display unit is movably coupled to the base unit. The folding mechanism is designed to move the display unit from a collapsed position to a deployed position in a deploy movement. The detection system is designed to cause the display unit to move from the deployed position to the collapsed position in a collapse movement. The collapsible display system is designed such that the display unit can carry out the collapse movement if an predetermined external force is applied to the display unit at least partially in a sense of the collapse movement.

Description

P-00292-748 LU

LU102879

Title: collapsible display system

FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to display systems. In particular, the present application relates to a collapsible display system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of display systems that e.g. are used at sports events there is the danger that an athlete could get hurt because of colliding with the display system, e.g. football/soccer or skiing. Meanwhile it is desirable to place said display units close to e.g. the playing field or slope to have increased visibility for example during television broadcasts.

SUMMARY

[0003] It is the object of the present application to overcome the aforementioned dis- advantages. This object is attained by the appended independent claim. Selected em- bodiments or variations are comprised in the dependent claims. Each of which, alone or in any combination with the other dependent claims, can represent an embodiment or variation of the present application.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present application a collapsible display system comprises a display unit, a base unit, a folding mechanism, and a detection system.

The display unit is movably coupled to the base unit and the folding mechanism is designed to move the display unit from a collapsed position to a deployed position in a deploy movement. The detection system is designed to cause the display unit to move from the deployed position to the collapsed position in a collapse movement. The col- lapsible display system is designed such that the display unit can carry out the collapse movement if a predetermined external force is applied to the display unit at least par- tially in a sense of the collapse movement. 1

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[0005] The display unit may comprise an analogue display such as a poster or print.

The display unit may additionally or alternatively comprise a digital display such as a

LED display or foldable display, LED-Stripes, TFT Display. The base unit may be placed on a surface or be integrated in a surface, e.g. into the snow or ground sur- rounding a football/soccer field.

[0006] The deploy movement is the movement that brings the display unit from the collapsed position to the deployed position. If the display unit is pivotably attached to the base unit then the deploy movement is a pivotal movement. Accordingly, the col- lapse movement is corresponding to the deploy movement, however, in an opposite sense. The folding mechanism is designed to move the display unit from the collapsed position to the deployed position in a deploy movement and vice versa from the de- ployed position to the collapsed position in a collapse movement. The folding mecha- nism may comprise any suitable kind of articulation and/or drive. This may be a gear mechanism, linear motor, a rotary motor. It may be powered by electricity or a pressur- ized fluid like air or oll.

[0007] The detection system is designed to detect movement in a predetermined area around the display system and cause the display system to move the display unit from the deployed position to the collapsed position. This may for example be the case if an athlete falls in the vicinity of the display system and moves toward the display system.

Then the detection system detects the movement of said athlete and moves the display unit from the deployed position into the collapsed position and thus potentially out of the way such that a collision of the athlete and the display system and in particular the display unit can be avoided. The detection system may comprise at least one of a radar sensor, a light barrier, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a lidar sensor, a laser sensor. The detection system may comprise a rotational laser and/or a rotational radar (each e.g. 360°).

[0008] If a predetermined external force is applied to the display unit at least partially in a direction or sense of the collapse movement, the display unit will move to the collapsed position. For example, if the display unit is in the deployed position and an athlete crashes into the display system, the external force of this impact will move the 2

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LU102879 display unit into the collapsed position. In other words, the display unit can collapse if a predetermined force is applied to the display unit — or if of course the predetermined external force is exceeded. The folding mechanism may lock the display unit in the deployed position either actively (e.g. locking pins) or by e.g. self-locking. This may be necessary to ensure the stability of the display unit in the deployed position, e.g. to resist wind load. However, this can pose a threat to e.g. an athlete if the detection system fails to move the display unit to the collapsed position when a motion is de- tected. Thus, the feature helps to ensure that an athlete does not get hurt when bump- ing into the display system since it gives way by collapsing and moving to the collapsed position even if the detection system fails.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present application the folding mechanism of a collapsible display system comprises an override system which is designed such that the display unit can carry out the collapse movement if an external force is applied to the display unit at least partially in a direction of the collapse movement. Said override system may be a valve that releases pressure in case the folding mechanism includes a drive using pressurized fluid. It may be a safety clutch and/or a shear pin in case the folding mechanism includes a gear mechanism. It may be a feature of an electric motor (rotary or linear) that yields if the predetermined external force to the display unit is reached or surpassed. This may have the advantage that the display system is even safer.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present application the display unit of a collaps- ible display system deploys a safety barrier that is at least partially fixed to the display unit and the base unit when the display unit moves to the deployed position. This may for example be a tarp or a bellow that is deployed when the display unit moves from the collapsed position into the deployed position. The safety barrier may house a range of movement e.g. a swing range in case of a pivotal movement of the display unit. That is, the safety barrier can prevent persons from reaching into the range of movement of the display unit and possibly getting hurt by the moving display unit. This may have the advantage that the display system is even safer. 3

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[0011] According to one aspect of the present application a collapsible display system has at least partially a safety gap between the display unit and the base unit when the display unit is in the collapsed position. That is, the display unit does not rest flush on the base unit in the collapsed position but there is a safety gap between the display unit and the base. The safety gap may for example provide enough space such that a person's arm can fit in said safety gap. Hence, even if a person would reach into the moving display unit said person's arm and/or hand cannot get clamped between the display unit and the base unit in the collapsed position. This may have the advantage that the display system is even safer.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present application the detection system of a collapsible display system is at least partially arranged in the safety gap. This may have the advantage that the display system is even safer.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present application the detection system of a collapsible display system detects movement in and/or towards a deployment space.

The deployment space may be an area in which a detected movement causes the display unit to move from the deployed position into the collapsed position. This may have the advantage that the display unit is only moved when necessary and a number of unnecessary movements can be limited and an arrangement of the display system on e.g. a football field or slope can be planned more precisely.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present application the detection system of a collapsible display system detects movement at least partially in the direction of the deploy movement. For example, the detection system is designed to detect if an tra- jectory of a detected object e.g. a person is colliding with the display system. If for example a person is moving parallelly to the display system then it is not necessary to move the display unit from the deployed position to the collapsed position. However, if the detected movement would lead to a collision with the display unit, said display unit moves to the collapsed position. This may have the advantage that the display system is even safer. 4

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[0015] According to one aspect of the present application the detection system of a collapsible display system comprises at least two sensors with at least partially over- lapping detection spaces. This may have the advantage that the quality of detection of the detection system is increased.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present application the display unit of a collaps- ible display system is detachable from the base unit. This may have the advantage that the display system can be used more flexible.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present application the collapsible display sys- tem further comprises a remote control to remotely control the folding mechanism. The remote control may be a switch in the vicinity of the display system or any kind of remote control. This may have the advantage that the display unit can be moved from the deployed position to the collapsed position remotely e.g. in case medical personnel needs to access the field or slope and approaches the display unit from behind, that is from the side of the display system towards which the collapsible movement is directed.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present application the collapsible display sys- tem further comprises an internal power supply. This may be an internal power supply that is designed to provide power to the folding mechanism. In case the folding mech- anism works with electrical power the internal power supply may be an electricity stor- ing device. In case the folding mechanism works with pressurized fluid the internal power supply may be a pressurized vessel. This may have the advantage that the display system works more reliable.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present application the collapsible display sys- tem further comprises an internal power supply and an external power supply. The internal power supply supplies the collapsible display system with power in case the external power supply fails or is unstable. This may have the advantage that the display system works more reliable.

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[0020] According to one aspect of the present application a collapsible display system further comprises at least one activation device that activates the folding mechanism to move the display unit from the deployed position to the collapsed position. This may have the advantage that the display unit can be moved from the deployed position to the collapsible position easily and voluntarily.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application an opening angle between the collapsed position and the deployed position is greater than 90° of the collapsible display system. This may have the advantage that one side of the display unit is e.g. protected from rain or snow.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present application a collapsible display system further comprises an airbag. The airbag is designed to be deployable in case the dis- play unit moves from the deployed position to the collapsed position. The airbag at least partially covers the display system. This may have the advantage that the airbag provides extra protection additionally to the collapse movement.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present application a collapsible display system further comprises a clamping protection designed to prevent clamping between the display unit and the base unit. The clamping protection may for example be a pressure detecting device or a light barrier. The detection system may also act at least partially as clamping protection, for example the detection system detects movement in and/or towards the deployment space. This may have the advantage that the display unit is even safer.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present application a collapsible display system further comprises a failure detection designed to cause at least the display unit to move to or remain in a predetermined position. The failure detection may for example check the function of e.g. the folding mechanism and/or the detection system. In case the failure detection detects a malfunction it may move the display unit from the deployed position to the collapsed position. 6

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[0025] Each of the above aspects is to be considered an invention on its own. The aspects may be freely combined with each other and each feature not described as being dependent on another feature may also be freely combined with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the appended figures. The figures are of merely informing purpose and not of limiting character. The figures schematically describe one embodiment of the present application having all possible features. However, all features but for the features com- prised by the independent claim are optional and may be freely combined. Also, not all features are shown in one figure for the sake of legibility. The appended figures cannot be considered limiting for e.g. the dimensions of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment in a collapsed posi- tion.

[0028] Fig. 2 schematically shows the embodiment of fig.1 in a deployed position.

[0029] Fig. 3 schematically shows further details of the embodiment of figs. 1 and 2.

[0030] Fig. 4 schematically shows further details of the embodiment of figs. 1 to 3.

[0031] Fig. 5 schematically shows further details of the embodiment of figs. 1 to 4.

[0032] Fig. 6 schematically shows a top view with further details of the embodiment of figs. 1 to 5.

[0033] It is to be noted that in the embodiment described herein same parts/elements are numbered with same reference signs, however, the disclosure in the detailed de- scription may be applied to all parts/elements having the regarding reference signs.

Also, the directional terms / position indicating terms chosen in this description like up, upper, down, lower downwards, lateral, sideward are referring to the directly described 7

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LU102879 figure and may correspondingly be applied to the new position after a change in posi- tion or another depicted position in another figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Initially referring to fig. 1 a schematical side view of a collapsible display system is depicted. The collapsible display system 10 comprises a display unit 20 and a base unit 30 which is pivotally connected to the display unit 20 by means of a hinge 35 (may be multiple hinges). Between the display unit 20 and the base unit 30 there is a safety gap 80. The safety gap 80 is preferably sized such that an arm and/or a hand cannot get clamped between the display unit 20 and the base unit 30. The hinge 35 does not necessarily extend along the entire side of the display unit 20 and/or base unit 30 (perpendicular to the projection plane in fig. 1). It can be possible to reach into the safety gap 80 from the side of the collapsible display system 10 where the hinge is attached. In fig. 1 the collapsible display system 10 is depicted in a collapsed position. The base unit 30 is depicted standing on even ground wherein said ground would be perpendicular to the plane of projection and parallel to the long sides of the base unit 30.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of fig. 1 in a deployed position DP. The display unit is movable from the collapsed position to the deployed position in a deploy move- ment DM as indicated. Also, the display unit 30 is movable in a collapse movement

CM that is in the opposite sense of the deploy movement DM as indicated. The col- lapsible display system 10 comprises a safety barrier 70 that is attached to the display unit 20 and the base unit 30 and is deployed when the display unit 20 moves from the collapsed position CP to the deploy position DP. The safety barrier 70 prevents from reaching into a deployment space 90 (fig. 4). The safety barrier 70 may have any shape and is not limited to the depicted shape.

[0036] The collapsible display system 10 of fig. 2 further comprises an override sys- tem 60 that can override a folding mechanism 40 (see fig. 3). The folding mechanism holds the display unit 20 in the depicted deployed position DP. The angle the display 8

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LU102879 unit 20 travels from the collapsed position CP to the deployed position DP is 90° (open- ing angle). However, it may be more than 90°. In such case the display unit 20 would travel further to the right in fig. 2. If a predetermined external force is applied (or ex- ceeded) to the display unit 20 in at least partially the sense of the collapse movement

CM (e.g. in the opposite sense of the arrow depicted in fig. 3) than the override system 60 overrides or unlocks the folding mechanism 40 such that the display unit 20 can move towards the collapsed position CP in order to give way to e.g. a person bumping into the display unit 20.

[0037] The collapsible display system 10 of fig. 2 further comprises a remote control 100 that remotely controls or triggers the movement of the display unit 20. Also, the collapsible display system 10 comprises an activation device 160 that also controls or triggers the movement of the display unit 20. The remote control 100 may for example be connected to a control room. The activation device 160 may be a switch on the collapsible display system 10.

[0038] The collapsible display system 10 of fig. 2 further comprises an internal 110 and an external 120 power supply. The internal power supply 110 may compensate fluctuation in the external power supply 120. Also, the internal power supply 110 may be used to keep the collapsible display system 10 working for a certain period of time even if an external power supply 120 is cut off. Also, the internal power supply 110 may be used as the only power source in case the collapsible display system 10 is used as a stand alone system. If the collapsible display system 10 employs multiple power systems, e.g. an electrical power system for a detection system 50 and a power system based on pressurized fluid for the folding mechanism than the internal power supply 110 and/or the external power supply 120 may provide for both.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows details of the embodiment of fig. 2 that were omitted there. The collapsible display system 10 of the depicted embodiment also comprises a folding mechanism 40 that moves the display unit 20 with respect to the base unit 30. Further, the collapsible display system 10 comprises a detection system 50 that may comprise at least one of a radar sensor 51, a light barrier 52, an ultrasonic sensor 53 and an infrared sensor 54, as well as a laser sensor or lidar sensor. The arrow on the right 9

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LU102879 side of the detection system 50 indicates a direction in which the detection system 50 can detect motion. The detection system 50 is however not limited to a detection in the direction of the arrow. Said arrow is at least partially in the sense and orientation of the deploy movement DP depicted in fig. 2.

[0040] If the detection system 50 detects a movement in the direction of the arrow in fig. 3 and said movement is deemed critical in a sense that e.g. it might come to a collision with the collapsible display system 10, then the display unit 20 is moved from the deployed position depicted in fig. 3 to the collapsed position depicted in figs. 1 and by means of the folding mechanism 40.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows further details of the disclosed embodiment. The depicted deploy- ment space 90 is essentially the space that is swept over by the display unit 20 as it moves between the deployed position and the collapsed position and vice versa. The deployment space 90 is an area of the collapsible display system 10 where persons might get hurt and thus preferably is secured by e.g. the safety barrier 70 depicted in fig. 2. Also, the deployment space 90 can be secured by the detection system 50 that not only detects in the direction as indicated in figs. 3 and 6 but also such that it can be prevented that a person reaches into the deployment space 90 and gets hurt by the moving display unit 20. For example, this can be achieved by arranging at least one light barrier 52 or an ultrasonic sensor 53 to detect movement in the deployment space 90.

[0042] Fig.4 further depicts a clamping protection 130. This may be a passive clamp- ing protection such as a foam guard and/or be an active clamping protection such as for example a pressure sensitive detection device. As described above, the detection system may be part of the clamping protection 130.

[0043] Fig 5. depicts the embodiment of the collapsible display system 10 in the col- lapsed position CP wherein an airbag 150 is deployed. The airbag 150 at least partially covers the display unit 20 and the base unit 30. If the display unit 20 is moved from the deployed position DP to the collapsed position CP by means of the folding mechanism

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LU102879 40 due to a detection of the detection system (not shown in fig. 5) then the airbag 150 may optionally be deployed.

[0044] Fig. 6 depicts a top view of the disclosed embodiment. The display unit 20 is in the deployed position DP and in an 90° angle with respect to the base unit 30. The two circles schematically depict each a detection space of e.g. a radar sensor 51 com- prised by the detection system 50. The detection spaces overlap such that there is no gap in an area in front of the collapsible display system 10. Further, there may be a laser sensor (e.g. rotating laser) that additionally or alternatively detects a motion at least in said detection space or even 360°. Also, a laser sensor may be arranged in the safety gap, possibly with a 360° detection space. 11

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List of reference signs collapsible display system display unit base unit hinge folding mechanism detection system 51 radar sensor 52 light barrier 53 ultrasonic sensor 54 infrared sensor 60 override system 70 safety barrier 80 safety gap 90 deployment space 100 remote control 110 internal power supply 120 external power supply 130 clamping protection 140 failure detection 150 airbag 160 activation device

CP collapsed position

DP deployed position

DM deploy movement

CM collapse movement 12

Claims

P-00292-748 LU LU102879 CLAIMS

1. Collapsible display system (10) comprising a display unit (20), a base unit (30), a folding mechanism (40), and a detection system (50), wherein the display unit is movably coupled to the base unit, and wherein the folding mechanism is de- signed to move the display unit from a collapsed position (CP) to a deployed position (DP) in a deploy movement (DM), and wherein the detection system (50) is designed to cause the display unit (20) to move from the deployed posi- tion to the collapsed position in a collapse movement (CM), and wherein the collapsible display system is designed such that the display unit can carry out the collapse movement if an predetermined external force is applied to the dis- play unit at least partially in a sense of the collapse movement.

2. Collapsible display system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the folding mech- anism (40) comprises an override system (60) designed such that the display unit (20) can carry out the collapse movement (CM) if an external force is ap- plied to the display unit at least partially in a direction of the collapse movement.

3. Collapsible display system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit (20) deploys a safety barrier (70) that is at least partially fixed to the display unit and the base unit (30) when the display unit moves to the deployed position (DP).

4. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there is at least partially a safety gap (80) between the display unit (20) and the base unit (30) when the display unit is in the collapsed position (CP).

5. Collapsible display system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the detection sys- tem (50) is at least partially arranged in the safety gap (80).

6. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (50) detects movement in and/or towards an de- ployment space (90). 13

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7. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (50) detects movement at least partially in the direction of the deploy movement (DM).

8. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (50) comprises at least two sensors with at least partially overlapping detection spaces.

9. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit (20) is detachable from the base unit (20).

10. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a remote control (100) to remotely control the folding mechanism (40).

11. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal power supply (110).

12. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal power supply (110) and an external power supply (120), wherein the internal power supply supplies the collapsible display system with power in case the external power supply fails or is unstable.

13. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one activation device (160) that activates the folding mech- anism (40) to move the display unit (20) from the deployed position (DP) to the collapsed position (CP).

14. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an opening angle between the collapsed position (CP) and the de- ployed position (DP) is greater than 90°. 14

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15. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an airbag (150), that is designed to be deployable in case the display unit (20) moves from the deployed position (DP) to the collapsed position (CP), and wherein the airbag at least partially covers the collapsible display system.

16. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a clamping protection (130), designed to prevent clamping between the display unit (20) and the base unit (30).

17. Collapsible display system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a failure detection (140), designed to cause at least the display unit (20) to move to or remain in a predetermined position.