CN111372817A

CN111372817A - Mounting arrangement for a driver assistance system

Info

Publication number: CN111372817A
Application number: CN201880072166.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·A·哈特
Original assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC
Current assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC
Priority date: 2017-11-08
Filing date: 2018-11-08
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-08
Also published as: DE112018005401T5; WO2019094588A1; CN111372817B

Abstract

The vehicle driver assistance system includes a mounting bracket connectable with the vehicle and a camera housing connectable with the mounting bracket. One of the mounting bracket and the camera housing includes a channel for receiving a tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing. A tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing slides into a channel of the one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing to connect the camera housing to the mounting bracket. One of the mounting bracket and the camera housing has a flexible member that engages the tab to dampen movement of the housing relative to the mounting bracket.

Description

Mounting arrangement for a driver assistance system

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/583,208 filed on 8.11.2017 and U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/673,273 filed on 18.5.2018, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mounting arrangement for a driver assistance system, and more particularly to a mounting arrangement for a driver assistance system, wherein a camera housing is slidable into a mounting bracket to connect the camera housing to the mounting bracket.

Background

Vehicle driver assistance systems are known which use a camera to monitor the surroundings of the vehicle. For example, one particular type of driver assistance system monitors an area in front of the vehicle and uses a forward looking camera. Forward looking driver assistance systems are typically mounted to the front windshield of the vehicle. Such forward-looking driver assistance systems may assist the driver in operating the motor vehicle by providing operational information such as potential collisions, lane or road deviations, the location of pedestrians, road marking information, and the like. The driver assistance system may also be mounted to other vehicle locations, such as the rear window. Data from the driver assistance system is provided to other vehicle systems to provide warnings, haptic or tactile feedback to the driver, and/or autonomous control of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle driver assistance system comprising a mounting bracket that can be connected to a vehicle and a camera housing that can be connected to the mounting bracket. One of the mounting bracket and the camera housing includes a channel for receiving a tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing. A tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing slides into a channel of the one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing to connect the camera housing to the mounting bracket. One of the mounting bracket and the camera housing has a flexible member that engages the tab to dampen movement of the housing relative to the mounting bracket.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a driver assistance system constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the driver assistance system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a driver assistance system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the driver assistance system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of another portion of the driver assistance system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a camera housing of a driver assistance system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a mounting bracket of a driver assistance system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a camera head housing for use with the mounting bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a driver assistance system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the driver assistance system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the driver assistance system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of another portion of the driver assistance system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of a driver assistance system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of an enlarged portion of the driver assistance system of FIG. 13; and

fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of fig. 14.

Detailed Description

A driver assistance system 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 1-2. The driver assistance system 10 may be a forward looking system and may be mounted to the front windshield of the vehicle. The driver assistance system 10 observes the environment in front of the vehicle and analyzes monitoring information for vehicle functions, such as lane keeping, road deviation, pedestrian information, road sign information, etc. The vehicle control system and/or warning system then further processes and uses the analyzed information. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be applied to other driver assistance systems, such as a rear system for monitoring the environment behind a vehicle.

The driver assistance system 10 includes a camera housing 12 secured in a mounting bracket 14. A camera 16 having a lens 18 is mounted within the camera housing 12. The camera 16 is operatively connected to data processing circuitry (not shown) within the camera housing 12 for processing any images within the camera's field of view. The circuitry within the housing 12 may be connected to other vehicle systems.

The camera housing 12 includes at least one front or first tab 20 on the camera housing. It is contemplated that the housing 12 may include any desired number of front tabs 20, and preferably, two front tabs 20 extending from opposite sides of the housing 12. The housing 12 also includes at least one rear or second tab 22 on the camera housing. It is contemplated that the housing 12 may include any desired number of rear tabs 22, and preferably, two rear tabs 22 extending from opposite sides of the housing 12. The front and

rear tabs

20, 22 on the shell 12 may extend parallel to each other.

The mounting bracket 14 may be attached to the windshield in any desired manner, such as by an adhesive. The mounting bracket 14 includes at least one front or first channel or slot 30 and at least one rear or second channel or slot 32. It is contemplated that the bracket 14 may include any desired number of front and

rear channels

30, 32, and preferably two front and two rear channels on opposite sides of the bracket. The front and

rear channels

30, 32 on the mounting bracket 14 may extend parallel to each other. The front channel 30 on the mounting bracket 14 receives the front or first tab 20 on the camera housing 12, while the rear channel 32 on the bracket receives the rear tab 22 on the camera housing.

At least one of the rear channels 32 is at least partially defined by a flexible member 40 having a detent 42. It is contemplated that all of the rear channels 32 may be defined by flexible members 40, and all of the flexible members include detents 42. The at least one detent 42 engages the at least one rear tab 22 to connect the housing 12 to the bracket 14.

The first and

second tabs

20, 22 on the housing 12 slide into the first and

second channels

30, 32 on the bracket 14 to connect the housing to the bracket. The front tab 20 on the housing 12 can slide along the guide member or rib 48 on the bracket to guide the front tab into the front channel 30. When the rear tab is inserted into the rear channel 32, the flexible member 40 moves upward as the rear tab 22 engages the detent 42. The

tabs

20, 22 on the housing 12 slide into the bracket 14 until the rear tab 22 slides over the detent 42. The rear tab 22 snaps into the rear channel 32 such that the detent 42 retains the rear tab in the rear channel to connect the housing 12 to the bracket 14. The flexible member 40 helps to dampen movement of the camera housing 12 during operation of the vehicle. It is contemplated that at least one front channel 30 may be defined by a flexible member having a detent such that the front tab 20 snaps into the front channel.

A driver assistance system 110 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 3-5. The driver assistance system 110 shown in fig. 3-5 is generally similar to the embodiment of fig. 1-2. The front tabs 120 on the camera housing 112 of fig. 3-5 have an interference fit with the front channels 130 on the mounting bracket 114. The mounting bracket 114 includes a slot 150 adjacent the guide member or rib 148 and the front channel 130 to allow the guide rib to flex during insertion of the front tab 120 into the front channel.

The stopper 152 may extend into the front channel 130 toward the guide rib 148. The front tab 120 may engage the stop 152 when the front tab is inserted into the front channel 130. The stop 152 prevents a lens extending from the camera housing 112 from engaging the window when the housing is inserted into the cradle 114. The stops 152 are spaced from the ends of the slot 130 to provide stress relief to help prevent cracking of the mounting bracket.

The rear tabs 122 on the housing 112 may have an interference fit with the rear channels 132 on the mounting bracket 114. The protrusions 158 on the flexible member 140 of the mounting bracket 114 engage the tabs 122 on the housing 112 to provide an interference fit. The protrusion 158 may be located adjacent the detent 142 on the flexible member 140.

The first tab 120 and the second tab 122 on the housing 112 slide into the first channel 130 and the second channel 132 on the bracket 114 to connect the housing to the bracket. The front tab 120 on the housing 112 may slide along a flexible guide member or rib 148 on the bracket 114 to guide the front tab into the front channel 130. When the rear tab is inserted into the rear channel 132, the flexible member 140 moves upward as the rear tab 122 engages the detent 142.

Tabs

120, 122 on housing 112 slide into bracket 114 until front tab 120 engages stop 152 and rear tab 122 slides past pawl 142. Rear tab 122 snaps into rear channel 132 such that detent 142 retains the rear tab in the rear channel to connect housing 112 to bracket 114. The flexible member 140 and the flexible guide ribs 148 help dampen movement of the camera housing 12 during vehicle operation.

Fig. 6 illustrates a driver assistance system 210 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The driver assistance system 210 shown in fig. 6 is substantially similar to the embodiment of fig. 1-5. The camera housing 212 of fig. 6 has a front tab 220 and a rear tab 222 that slide into channels on a mounting bracket (not shown). The channels of the mounting bracket may be similar to the

channels

30, 32, 130, 132 of the embodiment of fig. 1-5. The top portion 250 of the camera housing 212 also includes a protrusion 252 that can engage a flexible detent member on the mounting bracket to retain the housing in the bracket.

A driver assistance system 310 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 7-8. The driver assistance system 310 shown in fig. 7-8 is generally similar to the embodiment of fig. 1-6. The camera housing 312 of fig. 8 has a front tab 320 and a rear tab 322 that slide into a channel 332 on the mounting bracket 314 (fig. 7). The mounting bracket 314 includes a flexible detent member 350 that engages a rear edge 352 of the housing 312 to connect the housing to the mounting bracket.

A driver assistance system 410 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 9-12. The driver assistance system 410 shown in fig. 9-12 is generally similar to the embodiment of fig. 3-5. A first or front tab 420 on the camera housing 412 of fig. 9-12 has an interference fit with a first or front channel 430 on the mounting bracket 114. The second or rear tab 422 on the camera housing 412 also has an interference fit with the second or rear channel 432 on the mounting bracket 414.

The mounting bracket 414 includes a slot 450 adjacent the guide member or rib 448 and the front channel 430 to allow the guide rib 448 to flex during insertion of the front tab 420 into the front channel. The stopper 452 may extend into the front channel 430 toward the guide rib 448. Front tab 420 may engage stop 452 when the front tab is inserted into front channel 430. When the housing is inserted into the holder 414, the stop 452 prevents the lens 418 extending from the camera housing 412 from engaging the window. The stops 452 are spaced from the ends of the slots 430 to provide stress relief to help prevent cracking of the mounting bracket.

The mounting bracket 414 includes a slot 460 adjacent the flexible guide member or rib 462 and the rear channel 432 to allow the guide rib to flex during insertion of the rear tab 422 into the rear channel. A pawl 468 extends from the portion of the bracket 414 that defines the rear channel 432 opposite the guide rib 462. The detent 468 extends into the rear channel 432 and engages the rear protrusion 422 on the camera housing 412 to retain the camera housing in the cradle.

The first tab 420 and the second tab 422 on the housing 412 slide into the first channel 430 and the second channel 432 on the bracket 414 to connect the housing to the bracket. The front tab 420 on the housing 412 can slide along the flexible guide member or rib 448 on the bracket 414 to guide the front tab into the front channel 430. When the rear tab is inserted into the rear channel 432, the flexible guide member or rib 462 moves upward as the rear tab 422 engages the detent 468. The

tabs

420, 422 on the housing 412 slide into the bracket 414 until the front tab 420 engages the stop 452 and the rear tab 422 slides past the detent 468. The rear tab 422 snaps into the rear channel 432 such that the detent 468 retains the rear tab in the rear channel to connect the housing 412 to the bracket 414. The flexible guide ribs 448 and the flexible guide ribs 462 help to dampen movement of the camera housing 412 during vehicle operation.

The slots 460 adjacent the guide ribs 462 can limit the amount of movement of the camera housing 412 relative to the bracket 414 during removal of the camera housing from the bracket to help prevent the camera housing, and more specifically, the camera lens 418, from engaging the windshield. An upward force is applied to the middle rear portion of the camera housing 412 to disengage the rear tabs 422 on the camera housing from the detents 468 in the rear channel 432. The guide ribs 462 can deflect and engage portions of the bracket defining the slot 460 in response to application of an upward force during removal of the camera housing 412 from the bracket 414. When the detent 468 is disengaged from the tab 422, the

tabs

420, 422 on the camera housing 412 can slide out of the bracket 414 to remove the camera housing from the bracket.

A driver assistance system 510 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 13-15. The driver assistance system 510 shown in fig. 13-15 is generally similar to the embodiment of fig. 9-12. The mounting bracket 514 includes a slot 560 adjacent the guide rib 562 and the rear channel 532 to allow the guide rib to flex during insertion of the rear tab 522 into the rear channel. The pawl 568 extends from a portion of the bracket 514 defining the rear channel 532 opposite the guide rib 562. When the housing is attached to the bracket 514, the detent 568 extends generally parallel to the rear tab 532 on the housing 514. The detent 568 engages a rear surface 570 on the camera housing 512 to retain the camera housing in the cradle 514.

Although the mounting bracket is described as having a channel for receiving a tab on the camera housing, it is contemplated that the mounting bracket may have a tab that is received in a channel on the camera housing.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle driver assistance system comprising:

a mounting bracket connectable with the vehicle and a camera housing connectable with the mounting bracket, one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing including a channel for receiving a tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing, the tab of the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing sliding into the channel of the one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing to connect the camera housing to the mounting bracket, the one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing having a flexible member engaged with the tab to dampen movement of the housing relative to the mounting bracket.

2. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing includes at least one front channel and at least one rear channel, and the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing includes at least one front tab that slides into the at least one front channel and at least one rear tab that slides into the at least one rear channel.

3. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 2, wherein the at least one front tab extends substantially parallel to the at least one rear tab.

4. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes the channel and the camera housing includes the tab.

5. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing includes a flexible detent member engageable with the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing to connect the camera housing to the mounting bracket.

6. The vehicle driver assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tab is an interference fit with the channel.

7. The vehicle driver assistance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one channel is at least partially defined by a guide member engageable with said at least one tab for guiding insertion of said tab into said channel.

8. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 7, wherein the bracket includes at least one slot adjacent the guide member and the channel, the slot allowing the guide member to deflect relative to the bracket.

9. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 8, wherein the guide member engages a portion of the bracket defining the slot to limit movement of the camera housing relative to the bracket.

10. The vehicle driver assistance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guide member engages with a portion of the bracket that defines the slot to prevent a camera lens connected to the camera housing from engaging with a window to which the bracket is attached.

11. The vehicle driver assistance system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front channel is at least partially defined by a first guide member, the first guide member is engageable with the front tab to guide insertion of the front tab into the front channel, the bracket including at least one slot adjacent the first guide member and the front channel, the slot allowing the first guide member to deflect relative to the bracket to dampen movement of the housing relative to the bracket, the rear channel being at least partially defined by a second guide member engageable with the rear tab for guiding insertion of the rear tab into the rear channel, the bracket includes at least one slot adjacent the second guide member and the rear channel, the slot allowing the second guide member to deflect relative to the bracket to dampen movement of the housing relative to the bracket.

12. The vehicle driver assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stop extends into the at least one channel, the stop being spaced from an end of the channel, the tab engaging the stop when the housing is inserted into the channel.

13. The vehicle driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein the pawl extends generally parallel to the tab when the housing is connected to the bracket, the pawl engaging a rear surface on the housing to retain the camera housing in the bracket.