A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position
and
a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is
useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a
passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque
necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display
is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear
force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed
are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position,
a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical
clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.