US 10,342,150 B1Granted

Magnetically latched LRU installation and extraction mechanism

AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.

InventorsJoshua V. Davis, Steven W. Kramer

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A magnetically latched installation and extraction mechanism for an avionics display unit or other Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) installable in, and extractable from, a vehicle instrument panel includes a bezel attachable to the LRU, the paddle or the bezel including magnets embedded into opposing corners configured to attract the magnetic surfaces of, or the embedded magnets in, the opposing bezel or paddle. The LRU may include hinged paddles having an open position for installing/extracting the LRU from the instrument panel and a stowed position substantially flush with the surface of the bezel, the paddles corresponding to the embedded bezel magnets. Magnets embedded in the hinged paddles may secure the paddles in the stowed position via attraction to the bezel magnets.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A magnetically latched installation and extraction (I/E) mechanism, comprising:

at least one bezel of a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU), the bezel configured to define at least one of a forward surface and a forward edge of the LRU, the LRU installable in and extractable from a housing mounted to an instrument panel of a vehicle;
at least one paddle hingedly coupled to the bezel, the paddle associated with an open position and a stowed position, the LRU installable in, and extractable from, the instrument panel via the at least one paddle;
and
at least one magnet disposed within at least one-of the paddle and the bezel, the at least one magnet configured to removably secure the paddle to the bezel in the stowed position,
wherein:
the at least one paddle includes an inner surface having a first recess;
the bezel includes at least one second recess corresponding to the first recess;
and
the at least one paddle is configured to be deployed from the stowed position to the open position by inserting at least one of a finger and a tool between the first recess and the second recess.

6 more elements

A line replaceable unit (LRU), comprising:

at least one housing of a line replaceable unit (LRU) installable in, and extractable from, an instrument panel of a vehicle;
at least one bezel attached to the housing and configured to define at least one of a forward surface and a forward edge of the LRU;
at least one paddle hingedly coupled to the bezel, the paddle associated with an open position and a stowed position, the housing installable in and extractable from the instrument panel via the at least one paddle;
and
at least one magnet disposed within at least one of the paddle and the bezel, the at least one magnet configured to removably secure the paddle to the bezel in the stowed position,
wherein:
the at least one paddle includes an inner surface having a first recess;
the bezel includes at least one second recess corresponding to the first recess;
and
the at least one paddle is configured to be deployed from the stowed position to the open position by inserting at least one of a finger and a tool between the first recess and the second recess.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/449,438Filed 3 Mar 2017 · us provisional application
Priority: 25 Aug 2016
Granted: 2 Jul 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

B60R 11/0229
For radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof: for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
B60K 35/21
Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor: using visual output, e.g.…
B60K 35/50
Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles: instruments characterised by their means of attachment…
B60K 35/60
Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles: instruments characterised by their location or relative…