Mercedes-benz Aktiengesellschaft

Gerd Seidenfaden

Jurgen Mutschler

Johann Tomforde

Wilhelm Seeger

Arno Jambor

A Video Display Unit ('VDU') workstation is matched to the specific safety requirements in a motor vehicle. In its working position, the configuration of the VDU workstation is adapted to be changed, in the event of an accident, by repositioning individual components in response to an impact-specific force in such a way that, inter alia, its extension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is reduced. When not in use, the VDU workstation can be lowered in a stowage recess of a supporting part mounted, for example in the back rest of a vehicle seat.

VDU workstation in a vehicle

An arrangement of operating controls of vehicle components has functions to be adjusted for the switched-on vehicle components represented on a display. These functions are rendered visible by a viewing window. In the immediate spatial vicinity of these viewing windows, operating parts are mounted. The operating of these parts switches the function to be adjusted and is indicated through the associated viewing window.

Operator-sensed feedback vehicle component operating control

A vehicle VDU workstation is matched to specific safety requirements in a motor vehicle and essentially comprises, as physical elements of a working unit, a keyboard and a flat screen which can be folded onto the latter. A sliding guide allows those parts, on one hand, to be stowed in the glove compartment of the vehicle in a space-saving manner and, on the other hand, also placed in a use position on the folded-out glove compartment door. In the stowed position, the working unit is located behind the glove compartment door. Special mounting elements, some of which at least can be stowed in the glove compartment, allow the VDU workstation also to be used in other seats in the vehicle by being suspended behind backrests of vehicle seats from headrest supports and, to this extent, placed there in a use position. Vibrations of the working unit are weakened by damping elements. When at least one accident-specific force is exerted, either deformation and/or predetermined break points are triggered in order to change the configuration of the VDU workstation into a less cumbersome one.

Growing community of inventors

Leonberg, Germany

Gerd Seidenfaden