CA2684783A1 - Parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle - Google Patents

Parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2684783A1
CA2684783A1 CA 2684783 CA2684783A CA2684783A1 CA 2684783 A1 CA2684783 A1 CA 2684783A1 CA 2684783 CA2684783 CA 2684783 CA 2684783 A CA2684783 A CA 2684783A CA 2684783 A1 CA2684783 A1 CA 2684783A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
housing
vehicle
parking sensor
opening
disposed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2684783
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher A. Luft
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Audiovox Corp
Original Assignee
Audiovox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Audiovox Corp filed Critical Audiovox Corp
Publication of CA2684783A1 publication Critical patent/CA2684783A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A parking sensor and observation system for a vehicle, including: an elongated housing, wherein the housing has a front side with first to third openings and a back side with an elongated opening, the first and third openings are adjacent to opposite ends of the housing, the second opening is located at a center portion of the housing; a first parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the first opening; a second parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the third opening; a camera disposed within the housing and having its lens disposed in the second opening; and a backing plate disposed at the back side of the housing to seal the elongated opening.

Description

PARKING SENSOR/OBSERVATION SYSTEM ADD-ON FOR A VEHICLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field The present invention relates to vehicle parking sensors and vehicle backup cameras, and more particularly, to aftermarket devices therefor.
2. Discussion of the Related Art Parking sensors are a technology that allows the driver of a vehicle to be alerted to nearby objects in their path. Parking sensors are also known as backup sensors, parking sonar or just sonar depending on the automaker. While there are variations in the design and features of these systems, the basic design puts sensors in the vehicle's bumper. These sensors send ultrasonic waves at 40,000 times per second to detect obstacles behind the vehicle. A controller installed inside the vehicle receives the signal from the sensors and transmits it to a speaker that emits a tone, or to a combination speaker and display unit.

A backup camera system, such as those found in many SUVs, minivans and luxury vehicles shows a driver what is behind them as they are reversing and displays it on the vehicle dashboard LCD so that the driver can avoid accidents. Such a system generally includes a camera mounted onto the rear of a vehicle, a display device mounted in the interior of the vehicle and the necessary wiring.

For vehicles that do not have built-in parking sensors or a backup camera system, aftermarket systems are available. Some aftermarket systems are mountable on a vehicle's license plate. License plate mounting of an aftermarket system can obstruct parts of the license plate that must be legally visible. Examples of license plate parts with legal visibility requirements include a registration sticker, State or County name.
Further, in aftermarket systems that are only license plate mountable, the parking sensors may not be positionable for optimal detection of objects behind the vehicle.

Accordingly, there is a need for an aftermarket system with backup camera and/or parking sensor capabilities that does not obstruct license plate parts with legal visibility requirements and that can be positionable for optimal object detection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bar of a parking sensor and observation system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bar of a parking sensor system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a number of different views;

FIG. 3 shows a parking sensor and observation system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a parking sensor system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a bar of a parking sensor and observation system add-on for a vehicle mounted to a license plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 shows a bar of a parking sensor system add-on for a vehicle mounted to a license plate in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a parking sensor and observation system for a vehicle, comprises: an elongated housing, wherein the housing has a front side with first to third openings and a back side with an elongated opening, the first and third openings are adjacent to opposite ends of the housing, the second opening is located at a center portion of the housing; a first parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the first opening; a second parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the third opening;
a camera disposed within the housing and having its lens disposed in the second opening;

and a backing plate disposed at the back side of the housing to seal the elongated opening.
The parking sensor and observation system further comprises mounting brackets connectable to the backing plate and for enabling the elongated housing to be mounted.

The elongated housing is mountable to a license plate, bumper or under the bumper of a vehicle.

The parking sensor and observation system further comprises a signal/power cable extended from the elongated housing and connectable to a reverse light of the vehicle.
The parking sensor and observation system is activated when the vehicle is put in reverse.

The parking sensor and observation system further comprises a monitor positionable within the vehicle, the monitor including: a display that displays images captured by the camera; and a sound source, wherein the sound source emits sound when either of the parking sensors detects an object near the back of the vehicle.
3 In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a parking sensor system for a vehicle, comprises: an elongated housing, wherein the housing has a front side with first to third openings and a back side with an elongated opening, the first and third openings are adjacent to opposite ends of the housing, the second opening is located at a center portion of the housing; a first parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the first opening; a second parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the second opening; a third parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the third opening;
and a backing plate disposed at the back side of the housing to seal the elongated opening.

The parking sensor system further comprises mounting brackets connectable to the backing plate and for enabling the elongated housing to be mounted.

The elongated housing is mountable to a license plate, bumper or under the bumper of a vehicle.

The parking sensor system further comprises a signal/power cable extended from the elongated housing and connectable to a reverse light of the vehicle.

The parking sensor system is activated when the vehicle is put in reverse.

The parking sensor system further comprises a sound source positionable within the vehicle, wherein the sound source emits sound when either of the parking sensors detects an object near the back of the vehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an aftermarket system for a vehicle, comprises a bar configured to extend from one end of a vehicle license plate to another end of the license plate and to be mounted in front of the license plate while not
4 obstructing parts of the license plate that must be legally visible, wherein the bar includes at least one parking sensor.

The bar further includes a camera.

The bar further includes mounting brackets connectable to the bar for mounting the bar to the vehicle license plate, wherein the mounting brackets are configured so that they are not seen in front of the license plate when the bar is mounted in front of the license plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is a provided a parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle. The system may include only parking sensors or a combination of parking sensors and a camera.
The system includes a bar that can be easily mounted to a vehicle's license plate.
However, the bar can also be mounted below a vehicle's bumper or on the bumper, depending on which mounting scheme provides the best viewing and/or sensing position, for example. The system includes mounting brackets and hardware for this purpose.

In a parking sensor and observation system add-on according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bar with two parking sensors and a backup camera, and a monitor. The monitor, which may be an LCD monitor, automatically activates to show distance and a clear view of the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is put into reverse. The display shows digital distance indicators of obstructions.
An audible display beeps faster as you get closer to an obstacle. The bar, which includes the sensors, camera and required operating circuitry, may be a chrome waterproof and
5 dustproof housing. The bar is electronically coupled to the vehicle by a single hookup connection at the vehicle's reverse lamp.

In a parking sensor system add-on according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bar with three parking sensors, and a buzzer. The parking sensors give full range detection up to six feet behind the vehicle, for example.

The system automatically activates when the vehicle is put into reverse gear.
The buzzer beeps faster as you get closer to an obstacle. The external structure of the bar is essentially the same as that of the parking sensor and observation system. The bar is also electronically coupled to the vehicle by a single hookup connection at the vehicle's reverse lamp. This system additionally includes an extension cable to connect to the buzzer mounted inside the vehicle.

Both of the above-described systems are configured such that they can be installed in any vehicle by a consumer. The systems' bars can be mounted on either the front or rear bumpers/plates of a vehicle. The bar's dimensions may be exactly as wide as a standard United States license plate, and the bar can be configured such that it does not extend downward passed the plate, since this could cause it not to fit many vehicles.
It is to be understood that when the bar is mounted to a vehicle's license plate, it should in most cases, not restrict parts of the plate that legal authorities wish to see. In doing this, the bar is legal in most of the United States. If, however, the bar were to restrict required viewing portions of the license plate, or if such mounting is not feasible or if a user desires a different viewing/sensing angle, the mounting brackets enable mounting below the plate, directly to the bumper or under the bumper.
6 Exemplary designs of these systems will now be described with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bar of a parking sensor and observation system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the bar includes a heavy-duty chrome bar housing 105 (e.g., a waterproof housing), two ultrasonic parking sensors 110a, 110b, and a CMOS
camera 115. The bar also includes a printed circuit board 120 for the camera 115 and a printed circuit board 125 for the parking sensors 110a/b. The circuit boards 120/125 include microprocessors for running the camera 115 and sensors I I Oa/b, respectively.
The bar is further provided with a backing plate 130 for sealing the unit (e.g., completing the waterproof housing). Also illustrated are flat brackets 135a,b, which can be coupled to the backing plate 130 via screw holes 140a/b for mounting.

FIG. 2 is a bar of a parking sensor system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a number of different views.

Particularly, FIG. 2 shows a back-view 205 of the bar with flat brackets 240a/b having holes 235a,b attached, a top-view 210 of the bar, a front-view 215 of the bar, a bottom-view 220 of the bar and left- and right-side views 225 and 230 of the bar. It is to be understood that the views shown in FIG. 2 are essentially the same for the parking sensor and observation system add-on in FIG. 1, except that the center of the bar in the front-view 215 includes a parking sensor, not a camera.

FIG. 3 shows a parking sensor and observation system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the system includes a bar 305 with two parking sensors 310a,b (one obstructed) and a
7 camera 315. The system includes mounting brackets 320 and hardware 325 for mounting the bar 305 to a vehicle license plate or bumper, and an LCD display 330. The system also includes an extension cord 335 for connecting the display 330 to the bar 305 when the display 330 is installed inside a vehicle and the bar 305 is mounted on the vehicle's license plate. The system further includes a wire 340 for connecting the bar 305 to the vehicle's reverse lamp for power and scotch locks 345 for making the wiring connections.

FIG. 4 shows a parking sensor system add-on for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the system includes a bar 405 with three parking sensors 410a-c. The system includes mounting brackets 415 and hardware 420 for mounting the bar 405 to a vehicle license plate or bumper, and a buzzer 425. The system further includes wires 430 attached to the bar 405 for connecting to buzzer wires 435, wires 440 for connecting to the vehicle's reverse lamp along with a wire 445 coming from the bar 405 for power and scotch locks 450 for making the wiring connections.

FIG. 5 shows a bar 505 of a parking sensor and observation system add-on for a vehicle mounted to a license plate 510 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a bar 605 of a parking sensor system add-on for a vehicle mounted to a license plate 610 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 1-6, any of the exemplary bars can be mounted to the bottom or top of the license plate by placing the bar over the front of the license plate and lining up the bracket holes with corresponding license plate holes. The bar can be fastened
8 to the license plate using the screws/bolts from behind the plate and then the license plate is fastened to the vehicle.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
9

Claims (15)

What is claimed is:
1. A parking sensor and observation system for a vehicle, comprising:
an elongated housing, wherein the housing has a front side with first to third openings and a back side with an elongated opening, the first and third openings are adjacent to opposite ends of the housing, the second opening is located at a center portion of the housing;

a first parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the first opening;

a second parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the third opening;

a camera disposed within the housing and having its lens disposed in the second opening; and a backing plate disposed at the back side of the housing to seal the elongated opening.
2. The parking sensor and observation system of claim 1, further comprising:
mounting brackets connectable to the backing plate and for enabling the elongated housing to be mounted.
3. The parking sensor and observation system of claim 2, wherein the elongated housing is mountable to a license plate, bumper or under the bumper of a vehicle.
4. The parking sensor and observation system of claim 1, further comprising:
a signal/power cable extended from the elongated housing and connectable to a reverse light of the vehicle.
5. The parking sensor and observation system of claim 4, wherein the parking sensor and observation system is activated when the vehicle is put in reverse.
6. The parking sensor and observation system of claim 1, further comprising:
a monitor positionable within the vehicle, the monitor including: a display that displays images captured by the camera; and a sound source, wherein the sound source emits sound when either of the parking sensors detects an object near the back of the vehicle.
7. A parking sensor system for a vehicle, comprising:

an elongated housing, wherein the housing has a front side with first to third openings and a back side with an elongated opening, the first and third openings are adjacent to opposite ends of the housing, the second opening is located at a center portion of the housing;

a first parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the first opening;

a second parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the second opening;

a third parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the third opening; and a backing plate disposed at the back side of the housing to seal the elongated opening.
8. The parking sensor system of claim 7, further comprising:

mounting brackets connectable to the backing plate and for enabling the elongated housing to be mounted.
9. The parking sensor system of claim 8, wherein the elongated housing is mountable to a license plate, bumper or under the bumper of a vehicle.
10. The parking sensor system of claim 7, further comprising:

a signal/power cable extended from the elongated housing and connectable to a reverse light of the vehicle.
11. The parking sensor system of claim 10, wherein the parking sensor system is activated when the vehicle is put in reverse.
12. The parking sensor system of claim 7, further comprising:

a sound source positionable within the vehicle, wherein the sound source emits sound when either of the parking sensors detects an object near the back of the vehicle.
13. An aftermarket system for a vehicle, comprising:

a bar configured to extend from one end of a vehicle license plate to another end of the license plate and to be mounted in front of the license plate while not obstructing parts of the license plate that must be legally visible, wherein the bar includes at least one parking sensor.
14. The aftermarket system of claim 13, wherein the bar further includes a camera.
15. The aftermarket system of claim 13, wherein the bar further includes mounting brackets connectable to the bar for mounting the bar to the vehicle license plate, wherein the mounting brackets are configured so that they are not seen in front of the license plate when the bar is mounted in front of the license plate.
CA 2684783 2008-11-07 2009-11-06 Parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle Abandoned CA2684783A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US61297108A 2008-11-07 2008-11-07
US12/612,971 2008-11-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2684783A1 true CA2684783A1 (en) 2010-05-07

Family

ID=42154797

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2684783 Abandoned CA2684783A1 (en) 2008-11-07 2009-11-06 Parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2684783A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013211002A1 (en) 2012-06-21 2013-12-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method for controlling the operation of a rear window wiper system of a vehicle
CN110962769A (en) * 2019-12-25 2020-04-07 安徽省雄峰起重机械有限公司 Parking equipment and method for intelligently monitoring and automatically measuring vehicle distance

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013211002A1 (en) 2012-06-21 2013-12-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method for controlling the operation of a rear window wiper system of a vehicle
CN110962769A (en) * 2019-12-25 2020-04-07 安徽省雄峰起重机械有限公司 Parking equipment and method for intelligently monitoring and automatically measuring vehicle distance

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9329268B2 (en) Parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle
US11851004B2 (en) Rearview mirror assembly for vehicle
US9787951B2 (en) Vehicle proximity warning system
US7046127B2 (en) Electronic reversing aid with wireless transmitter and receiver
US10124741B2 (en) Electronics module for mirrors
KR101327025B1 (en) Camera Arrangement and Door Handle for Motor Vehicle
US20140168437A1 (en) Vehicle camera and door switch assembly
US20150232028A1 (en) Exterior Mirror Blind Spot Warning Display and Video Camera
JP2014208529A (en) Mirror alternative system for vehicle
EP3556630A1 (en) Blind spot detecting device on a motorcycle
US5914652A (en) Object sensing device for a vehicle
JP2010274717A (en) On-vehicle camera, on-vehicle camera system, vehicular window plate and vehicle
US20110315848A1 (en) Number Plate Holder
NL1023076C2 (en) Exterior mirror unit and actuator.
US20040201463A1 (en) Rear lamp set with built in safety sensors
CA2684783A1 (en) Parking sensor/observation system add-on for a vehicle
JP5650170B2 (en) Cabover type vehicle
US20230322167A1 (en) Vehicular vision system with tailgate control
US20050253693A1 (en) Object detection system, apparatus, and method
JP2004196208A (en) Automobile surroundings recognizing device
JP4504226B2 (en) Rear combination lamp
EP4152051A1 (en) Parking sensor system
RU2496662C1 (en) Automotive onboard info system
KR200156861Y1 (en) An obstacle sensor
JP2007036510A (en) On-vehicle camera system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Dead

Effective date: 20131106