DE102022204433A1 - Aperture element for a lighting device for a camera system for a vehicle, aperture system, lighting system, monitoring system and method for mounting a aperture element on a lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The approach presented here relates to a cover element (105) for a lighting device (110) for a camera system (115) for a vehicle (100). The diaphragm element (105) has a coupling device (120) and at least one reflector element (125). The coupling device (120) is designed to mechanically couple the aperture element (105) to a camera component of the camera system (115). The reflector element (125) is shaped to reflect illumination light of the lighting device (110), the reflector element (125) having at least one reflectively shaped side wall (130) for covering one side (132) of the lighting device (110) and a recess (135). which is shaped to expose a further side of the lighting device (110) that differs from the side (132) in order to enable the cover element (105) to be mounted on the lighting device (110) via the recess (135).

Description

State of the art

The approach is based on a device or a method according to the preamble of the independent claims. The subject of the present approach is also a computer program.

In connection with occupant monitoring cameras, light sources can be used to improve image quality in order to illuminate an object to be imaged by the camera.

Disclosure of the invention

Against this background, the approach presented here provides a shutter element for a lighting device for a camera system for a vehicle, a shutter system, a lighting system, a monitoring system, a method for mounting a shutter element on a lighting device, and a corresponding device for implementation and/or control of the method and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims are presented. The measures listed in the dependent claims make advantageous developments and improvements to the method specified in the independent claim possible.

The advantages that can be achieved with the approach presented are that a diaphragm element is created whose assembly on a camera system can be carried out in just a single assembly step.

A shutter element for a lighting device for a camera system for a vehicle has a coupling device and at least one reflector element. The coupling device is designed to mechanically couple the aperture element to a camera component of the camera system. The reflector element is shaped to reflect illumination light of the illumination device, the reflector element having at least one reflectively shaped side wall for covering one side of the illumination device and a recess which is shaped to expose a further side of the illumination device that differs from the side in order to a To enable the cover element to be mounted on the lighting device via the recess.

The camera system can have at least one camera with an image sensor. The camera can serve as a driver or passenger monitoring camera for monitoring at least one driver or passenger of the vehicle. The lighting device is designed to illuminate an object to be imaged by the camera. The lighting device can have at least one LED, for example an infrared LED, “IR LED” for short. The side wall can be straight or spherically curved. A reflectively shaped reflector surface of the side wall can be aligned towards the lighting device in order to reflect illumination light from the lighting device via, for example, an opening in a specific area to the camera when the aperture element is mounted on the camera system in a mounted state. The recess can be understood as a passage area through which the lighting device can pass during assembly. The recess can therefore serve as a passage for the lighting device when mounted on the side wall. However, the recess can also be a cutout on/in an adjacent reflector surface of an adjacent side wall of the reflector element arranged adjacent to the side wall in order to enable assembly through the cutout. The recess of the reflector element can, for example, be shaped to enable the aperture element to be mounted on the lighting device via the recess by means of a linear movement. For example, the aperture element can be pulled over the recess over the lighting device and then attached to the camera by means of the coupling device in order to bring about the mounted state of the aperture element on the camera system. The coupling device can be shaped to form a positive and/or non-positive connection with the camera component. For example, the coupling device can have at least one contact surface, a pin and/or snap hook.

The reflector element can have at least a second side wall for covering a second side of the lighting device that differs from the side, the second side wall being arranged parallel or inclined to the side wall, and / or the reflector element can have at least a third side wall for covering a side wall that is different from the side wall Side distinguishing third side of the lighting device, wherein the third side wall is arranged transversely to the side wall. The third side wall can, for example, be arranged perpendicular to the side wall. More sidewalls allow more illumination light to be reflected to the camera. With, for example, three of the side walls, the reflector element can encompass an interior space for accommodating the lighting device in a U-shaped or clip-shaped manner, with the recess being a free one Page forms over which the reflector element can be positioned around the lighting device. The side walls, which can also be referred to as “reflector walls”, are shaped to redirect the illuminating light into the desired field of view and ensure maximum irradiance with an unevenness of, for example, at least 37%. Such a three-sided reflector arrangement around an IR light source can advantageously be coupled or coupled as a lighting unit to the camera for driver observation.

The cover element can further have a cover plate extending transversely to the side wall for covering an area around the lighting device, the cover plate having an opening in the area of the reflector element, the at least one side wall adjoining the opening. A number of side walls can also adjoin the opening if the reflector element has a number of side walls. For example, the side walls can extend into the opening and thus limit the opening. Such a cover element with a cover plate can serve as a cover housing for the camera system. The opening can be opened towards the field of view so that the illuminating light is directed over the side walls through the opening into the desired field of view.

The side wall may be oriented at an angle with respect to a normal to the opening, the angle being less than 90 degrees. For example, the side wall can be oriented towards a center of the opening. Several side walls of the reflector element can, for example, be aligned in a funnel shape towards the lighting device when the diaphragm element is mounted on the lighting device in the assembled state. This can create a functional light reflection path for the illuminating light, which becomes larger towards the opening. Alternatively, the side wall can also be aligned parallel to the normal to the opening.

The cover element can further have at least one cover plate side wall extending from an edge of the cover plate transversely to the cover plate. For example, several such cover plate side walls, e.g. B. U-shaped, similar to the side walls of the reflector element on the cover plate. In this way, the aperture element can create a covering and protective housing for the camera.

According to one embodiment, the diaphragm element can have at least one contact surface for contacting a cover element for covering an upper side of the lighting device that differs from the side and further side. The contact surface can be arranged on an outside of the cover plate opposite the reflector element. The contact surface can be formed as at least one or more adhesive points, one or more support surface(s) or one or more snap element(s). Such a contact surface can be used to contact the cover element on the top of the lighting device. The cover element can, for example, cover the opening and/or, for example, have a material that is transparent to the illuminating light.

It is furthermore advantageous if the diaphragm element according to one embodiment has at least a second reflector element with at least one reflectively shaped additional side wall for covering one side of a further lighting device and a further recess which is shaped to have a different recess from the side of the further lighting device To expose the side of the further lighting device in order to enable the cover element to be mounted on the further lighting device via the further recess. The second reflector element can be shaped in the same shape or in a similar shape to the reflector element. The recess and the further recess can be aligned identically, so that the aperture element can be mounted on the lighting device via the same linear movement, with the further lighting device also being positioned via the further recess in the second reflector element. The cover plate can form a further opening in the area of the second reflector element, with the at least one additional side wall or several additional side walls of the second reflector element adjoining the further opening. A plurality of such reflector elements can reflect illumination light from several illumination devices towards the camera in order to increase an illumination intensity for the camera.

The side wall and/or the recess can have a height between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters. For example, the side wall and/or the recess can have a height of 4 millimeters. This can create a light reflection path with a depth of 2 millimeters to 6 millimeters up to the opening. The recess can have at least a height of the lighting device/LED.

A panel system has a panel element in one of the variants described above and a cover element for covering one side and another side outgoing top of the lighting device. The cover element can be shaped to cover the opening and/or have a material that is transparent to the illuminating light at least in the covering area of the opening.

A lighting system has a diaphragm element in one of the variants described above and the lighting device, which is designed to reflect illumination light from the lighting device to an opening of the diaphragm element.

A monitoring system for a vehicle has a camera and the lighting system described above, in particular wherein the at least one reflectively shaped side wall of the reflector element covers the side of the lighting device in a mounted state of the aperture element on the lighting device and the recess exposes the other side of the lighting device. When assembled, a gap can be arranged between a printed circuit board, also known as a “PCB” (Printed Circuit Board) for short, and the panel element, with the gap ensuring that movement is permitted due to an external force applied by the customer.

A method for mounting a diaphragm element in one of the variants described above on a lighting device for a camera system has a step of arranging and a step of coupling. In the arranging step, the aperture element is arranged on the lighting device, wherein in the arranging step the aperture element is moved over the recess over the illumination device. In the coupling step, the coupling device is mechanically coupled to a camera component of the camera system in order to mount the aperture element, wherein in a mounted state the side wall of the reflector element covers the side of the lighting device and the recess exposes the other side of the lighting device. The coupling step may be performed simultaneously with the arranging step or may be performed before or after the arranging step. In the arranging step, the panel element can be moved over the recess in a linear movement. In the coupling step, the coupling device can be mechanically coupled to the camera component in a linear movement.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control device.

The approach presented here also creates a device that is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment variant of the approach in the form of a device can also solve the task on which the approach is based quickly and efficiently.

For this purpose, the device can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one storage unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading in sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting data or control signals to the Have an actuator and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data that is embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like, whereby the storage unit can be a flash memory, an EEPROM or a magnetic storage unit. The communication interface can be designed to read or output data wirelessly and/or by wire, wherein a communication interface that can read or output wired data can, for example, read this data electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or output it into a corresponding data transmission line.

In the present case, a device can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and, depending on them, outputs control and/or data signals. The device can have an interface that can be designed in hardware and/or software. In the case of a hardware design, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In the case of software training, the interfaces can be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code, which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard drive memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the ones described above The above embodiments are used, particularly when the program product or program is executed on a computer or device.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs mit einem Blendenelement gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Beleuchtungseinrichtung für ein Kamerasystem des Fahrzeugs;
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Überwachungssystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Überwachungssystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 4 eine Schnittdarstellung durch die Ebene einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung eines Überwachungssystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 5 eine Schnittdarstellung durch die Ebene einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung eines Überwachungssystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 6 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Blendenelements gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 7 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel zum Montieren eines Blendenelements an einer Beleuchtungseinrichtung für ein Kamerasystem.

Exemplary embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a cover element according to an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device for a camera system of the vehicle;
• 2 a perspective view of a monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment;
• 3 a perspective view of a monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment;
• 4 a sectional view through the plane of a lighting device of a monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment;
• 5 a sectional view through the plane of a lighting device of a monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment;
• 6 a perspective view of a panel element according to an exemplary embodiment; and
• 7 a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment for mounting a diaphragm element on a lighting device for a camera system.

In the following description of favorable exemplary embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, with a repeated description of these elements being omitted.

1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 100 with a panel element 105 according to an exemplary embodiment of a lighting device 110 for a camera system 115 of the vehicle 100. The panel element 105 and the camera system 115 are shown in a perspective side view.

Merely as an example, the aperture element 105 according to this exemplary embodiment is arranged on or in the vehicle 100, here, for example, mounted in an operational state on the camera system 115 of the vehicle 100. This operational state is also referred to below as the assembled state 116. The camera system 115 has at least the lighting device 110 and a camera 117, which can be used, for example, as an occupant monitoring camera. For example, the camera 117 according to this exemplary embodiment has at least one image sensor.

The diaphragm element 105 has a coupling device 120 and at least one reflector element 125. The coupling device 120 is designed to mechanically couple the aperture element 105 to a camera component of the camera system 115. The reflector element 125 is shaped to reflect illumination light of the illumination device 110, wherein the reflector element 125 has at least one reflectively shaped side wall 130 for covering a side 132 of the illumination device 110 and a recess 135 formed to have a recess 135 different from the side 132 to expose another side of the lighting device 110 in order to enable mounting of the cover element 105 on the lighting device 110 via the recess 135.

The lighting device 110 is designed to illuminate an object to be imaged by the camera 117. For this purpose, the lighting device 110 according to this exemplary embodiment has at least one LED, for example an infrared LED. According to this exemplary embodiment, the side wall 130 is shaped straight or spherically curved. According to this exemplary embodiment, a reflectively shaped reflector surface of the side wall 130 shown here is aligned in the assembled state towards the lighting device 110 in order to reflect illumination light from the lighting device 110 via, for example, an opening 150 in the aperture element 105 into a specific area to the camera 117. According to this exemplary embodiment, the opening 150 is arranged on an upper side of the lighting device 110 that differs from the side 132 and other sides. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recess 135 is formed as a passage area through which the lighting device 110 passes when the aperture element 105 is mounted on the camera system 115. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recess 135 serves as a passage for the lighting device 110 during assembly. According to another exemplary embodiment, the recess 110 is formed as a cutout on or in an adjacent reflector surface of an adjacent side wall of the reflector element 125 arranged adjacent to the side wall 130 in order to enable assembly through the cutout. The recess 135 of the reflector element 105 is shaped according to this exemplary embodiment in order to enable the aperture element 105 to be mounted on the lighting device 110 via the recess 135 by means of a linear movement. For example, the aperture element 105 has been pulled over the recess 135 over the lighting device 110 and/or has been attached to the camera component, for example by means of the coupling device, in order to bring about the mounted state of the aperture element on the camera system 115.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 105 has a cover plate 155 which extends transversely to the side wall 130 for covering an area around the lighting device 110, the cover plate 155 having the opening 150 in the area of the reflector element 125, the at least one side wall 130 being connected to the opening 150 connects. The cover plate 155, the reflector element 125 and/or the coupling device 120 are formed in one piece according to this exemplary embodiment. According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 120 has at least one contact surface, a pin and/or a snap hook for positive and/or non-positive coupling with a counter contour of the camera component.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 105 further has at least one cover plate side wall 160 which extends from an edge of the cover plate 155 transversely to the cover plate 155. For example, according to this exemplary embodiment, the cover plate 155 forms several such cover plate side walls 160, which are z. B. extend in a U-shape from different edges of the cover plate 155 and, for example, converge in a box shape to accommodate the camera system 115. According to this exemplary embodiment, the aperture element 105 forms a covering and protective housing for the camera 117 due to the cover plate side walls 160.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 105 has at least one contact surface 165 for contacting a cover element for covering an upper side of the lighting device 110 that differs from the side 132 and other sides. According to this exemplary embodiment, the contact surface 165 is arranged on an outside of the cover plate 155 opposite the reflector element 125. According to this exemplary embodiment, the contact surface 165 forms at least one or more adhesive points, one or more support surface(s) or one or more snap element(s). According to this exemplary embodiment, the contact surface 165 forms an annular or rectangular support surface for the cover element, which is in the 4 and 5 is shown.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the aperture element 105 has at least one second reflector element 167 with at least one reflectively shaped additional side wall 130 for covering one side of a further lighting device 170 and a further recess 135, which is shaped to be different from the side of the further lighting device 170 other side of the further lighting device 170 to be exposed in order to enable mounting of the cover element 105 on the further lighting device 170 via the further recess 135. According to this exemplary embodiment, the second reflector element 167 is shaped in the same shape or in a similar shape to the reflector element 125. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recess 135 and the further recess 135 are aligned identically, so that the aperture element 105 can be mounted on the lighting device 110 via the same linear movement, with the further lighting device 170 also being positioned in the second reflector element 125 via the further recess 135. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover plate 155 forms a further opening 175 in the area of the second reflector element 167, with the at least one additional side wall or several additional side walls of the second reflector element 167 adjoining the further opening 175. According to this exemplary embodiment, the further opening 175 is aligned towards the top in accordance with the opening 150.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the reflector element 125 has at least one second side wall for covering a second side of the lighting device 110 that differs from the side 132 and/or another side, the second side wall being arranged parallel or inclined to the side wall 130, and/or that According to one exemplary embodiment, reflector element 125 has at least one third side wall for covering a third side of the lighting device 110 that differs from side 132 and/or another side, wherein the third side wall is arranged transversely to the side wall 130, see also 6 . According to one exemplary embodiment, the second reflector element 167 also has at least one reflectively shaped additional second side wall for covering a third side of the further lighting device 170 that differs from the side of the further lighting device 170, the additional second side wall being parallel or inclined to the additional side wall 130 is arranged, and / or the second reflector element 167 has according to an exemplary embodiment at least one additional third side wall for covering a fourth side of the further lighting device 170 that differs from the side of the further lighting device 170, the additional third side wall being arranged transversely to the additional side wall 130, see also 6 .

The camera 117 can be used together with an in 6 shown lighting system consisting of the lighting device 110, 170 and the aperture element 105 can be referred to as monitoring system 180. In the monitoring system 180, according to this exemplary embodiment, at least the one reflectively shaped side wall 130 of the reflector element 125 in the mounted state of the aperture element 105 on the lighting device 110 covers the side 132 of the lighting device 110 and the recess 135 exposes the other side of the lighting device 110. In the monitoring system 180, according to this exemplary embodiment, at least the reflectively shaped additional side wall 130 of the second reflector element 167 in the mounted state of the aperture element 105 on the second lighting device 170 also covers the side of the second lighting device 170 and the further recess 135 covers the further side of the second Lighting device 170 free. According to this exemplary embodiment, the camera 117 is arranged between the lighting device 110 and the second lighting device 170.

The cover element 105 presented here realizes a reflector with a cutout in the form of the recess 135. The cover element 105 is for a camera-based driver monitoring system. “Driver Monitoring System”, “DMS” for short, can be used. An optical DMS system consists of a camera 117, an illumination device 110, here for example in the form of IR (infrared) illumination, and optionally software that evaluates the image recorded by the sensor. The evaluation algorithm requires “sufficiently good” image quality, which mainly depends on the irradiance and the unevenness of the illuminated surfaces. Since the circumstances, such as ambient light, vehicle interior, etc., and the reflected light are very different, the minimum optical requirements should be carefully chosen, with the system having sufficient reserves.

• - Ein Stromverbrauch und Wärmemanagement des Systems begrenzen die Ausgangsleistung und damit den optischen Fluss des optischen Systems.
• - Das Gerät ist für den Endkunden sichtbar, daher gibt es strenge Vorgaben für den Umriss und die Größe des Produkts, was zu einem geringen verfügbaren Platz führt, was die Möglichkeit einschränkt, ein effizientes optisches System zu entwickeln.
• - Die Gestaltung des Grundrisses kann auch Montagerichtungen festlegen, die Einfluss auf die Konstruktion der mechanischen Teile haben, also z. B. Einschränkungen beim Reflektordesign.
• - Das Produkt kann vom Endkunden berührt werden; bei der mechanischen Konstruktion sollten Fehlbedienungen, wie z. B. das Schieben der Front, berücksichtigt werden, und es sollten Konstruktionslücken vorgesehen werden, um Kollisionen zu vermeiden.

Several requirements limit the efficiency of the system:

• - Power consumption and thermal management of the system limit the output power and thus the optical flow of the optical system.
• - The device is visible to the end customer, therefore there are strict specifications for the outline and size of the product, resulting in a small available space, which limits the possibility of developing an efficient optical system.
• - The design of the floor plan can also determine assembly directions that influence the design of the mechanical parts, e.g. B. Reflector design limitations.
• - The product can be touched by the end customer; In the mechanical design, incorrect operation, such as: B. sliding of the front should be taken into account and design gaps should be provided to avoid collisions.

The monitoring system 180 presented here therefore realizes the best and most robust compromise, taking into account all of the previously listed requirements.

The reflector element 125, designed with an evolutionary algorithm, takes into account the following requirements: maximization of the usable area, an optimized surface geometry to guide the light into the field of view, or “FOV” for short, and a guarantee of the assembly process optimized recess 135 in the form of a cutout on the reflector surface.

In summary, the camera system 115 according to this exemplary embodiment has an infrared LED as the lighting device 110 for illuminating an object to be imaged. Here, the reflector element 125 is used to direct light emitted laterally by the IR LED through the outlet opening 150, which is provided or can be coupled, for example, with a cover cap that is transparent to IR light, see for example 4 and 5 . According to this exemplary embodiment, the IR reflector element 125 serves to concentrate IR radiation and to improve the energy yield of an IR light source of the lighting device 110. Advantageously, according to this exemplary embodiment, a reflector arrangement of the reflector element 125 is arranged on three sides around an IR light source and this Arrangement as a lighting unit coupled or coupled to the camera 117 for driver observation.

2 shows a perspective view of a monitoring system 180 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the in 1 monitoring system 180 described, which is compared to the illustration in 1 around is shown rotated laterally less than 90 degrees, so that the cover plate side wall 160 can be seen frontally. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 105 has not yet been converted into the assembled state.

Shown in 2 an installation direction 200 of the cover element 105, which can also be referred to as a “cover housing”, for transferring the cover element 105 into the assembled state. Along the straight installation direction 200, the aperture element 105 is designed to be placed over the camera system 115, so that the assembled state can be brought about by means of a linear movement. A back wall 205 of the panel element 105 connecting two opposite cover plate side walls 160 is curved according to this exemplary embodiment, here for example convexly curved. A cover wall 210 of the panel element 105 connecting the two opposite cover plate side walls 160 is flat or slightly curved according to this exemplary embodiment.

The finished panel element 105 presented here meets all mechanical requirements regarding the distances between the parts and the installation direction 200, while at the same time maximizing the optical efficiency of the system.

According to an alternative embodiment, at least one LED with a narrow field of view and a large opening is used as the lighting device 110 in order to ensure the efficiency of the system. According to one exemplary embodiment, a prism structure ensures the irradiation level and the uniformity of the irradiation in the desired field of view.

3 shows a perspective view of a monitoring system 180 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be a section of the in 1 monitoring system 180 described, which is compared to the illustration in 1 is shown turned forward so that the cover plate 155 can be seen frontally.

According to this exemplary embodiment, a circumferential collar 300 around the opening 150 arranged on the outside of the cover plate 155 opposite the reflector element has a lower height than the contact surface 165 running around the collar 300.

A sectional view through the plane of the lighting devices 110/LEDs of the monitoring system 180 along a line 305 is in 4 shown.

4 shows a sectional view through the plane of a lighting device 110 of a monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment. This is a cut along the in 3 line shown.

Also shown is the in 1 described third side wall 400 for covering the third side 401 of the lighting device 110, the third side wall 400 according to this exemplary embodiment being aligned at an angle with respect to a normal 402 to the opening 150, the angle being less than 90 degrees. According to this exemplary embodiment, the third side wall 400 is oriented towards a center of the opening 150. Additionally or alternatively, according to one embodiment, the side wall and/or the in 5 The second side wall shown is aligned with the opening 150 at an angle with respect to the normal 402, the angle being less than 90 degrees. According to one exemplary embodiment, several of the side walls 400 of the reflector element are aligned, for example, in a funnel shape towards the lighting device 110 when the diaphragm element 105 is mounted on the lighting device 110 in the assembled state, as shown here. According to an alternative embodiment, the third sidewall 400 and/or the sidewall and/or the second sidewall are aligned parallel to the normal 402 to the opening 150.

Shown in 4 furthermore a cover element 405, which is shaped to cover the top side 420 of the lighting device 110, which differs from the side and further side 415. The panel element 105, together with the cover element 405, can be referred to as a panel system 425. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 405 covers the opening 150 on the top 420. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 405 contacts the contact surface(s) 165. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 405 has, at least in the covering region of the opening 150, a material that is transparent to the illuminating light, for example a material that is transparent to infrared light.

The horizontal sectional view shows a reflector geometry of the reflector element according to this embodiment, which according to this embodiment ensures a gap between a PCB/circuit board 430 and the reflector element, the gap allowing movement due to an external force applied by the customer. The aperture element 105 can also be referred to as a top cover with an integrated, coated reflector. the recess 135 can also be referred to as a reflector cutout.

5 shows a sectional view through the plane of a lighting device 110 of a monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment. This is a view of the in. turned sideways by approximately 90 degrees 4 sectional view described.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the reflector element has at least the in 1 described second side wall 500 for covering the second side of the lighting device 110 that differs from the side, the second side wall 500 according to this exemplary embodiment being arranged opposite the side wall 130 and/or in the area of the lighting device 110 inclined to the side wall 130. According to this exemplary embodiment, the side wall 130 is also arranged inclined to the second side wall 500 in the area of the lighting device 110.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the side wall 130 and/or the second side wall 500 and/or the third side wall and/or the recess has a height 505 between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters, for example a height 505 of 4 millimeters. According to one exemplary embodiment, a distance 510/gap between the collar 300 and the cover element 405 is 0.4 millimeters. According to one exemplary embodiment, a further distance 515 between the side wall 130 and/or the second side wall 500 and/or the third side wall to the lighting device 110 is 1.2 millimeters.

6 shows a perspective view of a panel element 105 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be the aperture element 105 described in one of the previous figures. Is shown in 6 a perspective view of an inside of the cover plate 155 of the aperture element 105 facing the camera system in the assembled state. The inside is the in 1 or 3 shown outside of the cover plate 155 arranged opposite.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the side wall 130, the third side wall 400 and the second side wall 500 adjoin the opening 150. For example, according to this exemplary embodiment, the side walls 130, 400, 500 extend into the opening 150 and thus delimit the opening 150. The illuminating light from the lighting device 110 can be directed via the side walls 130, 400, 500 through the opening 150 into the desired field of view. In the 1 or 5 The second side wall 500 described is arranged parallel to the side wall 130 and/or perpendicular to the third side wall 400 according to this exemplary embodiment. In the 1 or 4 The third side wall 400 described is arranged perpendicular to the side wall 130 and opposite the recess 135 according to this exemplary embodiment. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recess 135 has at least one height of an LED of the lighting device 110. According to this exemplary embodiment, the second reflector element is designed to be identical in construction to the reflector element. Between the opening 150 and the further opening, the cover plate 155 according to this exemplary embodiment has a camera opening 600 for the camera.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the three side walls 130, 400, 500 of the reflector element 125 encompass an interior space for receiving the lighting device 110 in a U-shape or bracket shape, with the recess 135 forming a free side via which the reflector element 125 can be positioned around the lighting device 110. The side walls 130, 400, 500 are shaped according to this exemplary embodiment to redirect the illuminating light into the desired field of view and ensure maximum irradiance with an unevenness of, for example, at least 37%. The side walls 130, 400, 500 are spherically curved according to one exemplary embodiment. Such a three-sided reflector arrangement around an IR light source can be coupled as a lighting unit with the camera for driver observation.

The aperture element 105 can be referred to together with the lighting device 110 as a lighting system 605. The aperture element 105 is formed in the assembled state on the lighting device 110 in order to reflect illumination light from the illumination device 110 to the opening 150 of the aperture element 105.

In summary shows 6 a bottom view of the cover element 105 in the form of an upper cover element, into which the side walls 130, 400, 500 are integrated in the form of reflector surfaces, including the recesses 135 for assembly.

7 shows a flowchart of a method 700 according to an exemplary embodiment for mounting a diaphragm element on a lighting device for a camera system. This can be the aperture element that is described in one of the previous figures.

The method 700 has a step 705 of arranging and a step 710 of coupling. In step 705 of arranging, the aperture element is arranged on the lighting device net, wherein in step 705 of arranging the aperture element is moved over the recess over the lighting device. In step 710 of coupling, the coupling device is mechanically coupled to a camera component of the camera system in order to mount the aperture element, wherein in a mounted state the side wall of the reflector element covers the side of the lighting device and the recess exposes the other side of the lighting device. According to different exemplary embodiments, step 710 of coupling is carried out either simultaneously with step 705 of arranging or carried out after step 705 of arranging. In step 705 of arranging, the shutter element is moved over the recess in a linear movement according to one embodiment. In step 710 of coupling, the coupling device is mechanically coupled to the camera component in a linear movement according to an exemplary embodiment.

The process steps presented here can be carried out repeatedly and in an order other than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment includes an “and/or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read as meaning that the exemplary embodiment, according to one embodiment, has both the first feature and the second feature and, according to a further embodiment, either only that first feature or only the second feature.

Claims (15)

Aperture element (105) for a lighting device (110) for a camera system (115) for a vehicle (100), the aperture element (105) having the following features: a coupling device (120) for mechanically coupling the aperture element (105) to a camera component of the camera system (115); and at least one reflector element (125) for reflecting illuminating light of the lighting device (110), the reflector element (125) having at least one reflectively shaped side wall (130) for covering one side (132) of the lighting device (110) and a recess (135), which is shaped to expose a further side (415) of the lighting device (110) that differs from the side (132) in order to enable the cover element (105) to be mounted on the lighting device (110) via the recess (135). Aperture element (105) according to Claim 1 , in which the reflector element (125) has at least one second side wall (500) for covering a second side of the lighting device (110) that differs from the side (132), the second side wall (500) being parallel or inclined to the side wall (130 ) is arranged, and / or in which the reflector element (125) has at least one third side wall (400) for covering a third side (401) of the lighting device (110) that differs from the side (132), the third side wall (400 ) is arranged transversely to the side wall (130). Aperture element (105) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a cover plate (155) extending transversely to the side wall (130) for covering an area around the lighting device (110), the cover plate (155) in the area of the reflector element (125) has an opening (150), wherein the at least one side wall (130) adjoins the opening (150). Aperture element (105) according to Claim 3 , in which the side wall (130) is aligned with the opening (150) at an angle with respect to a normal (402), the angle being less than 90 degrees. Aperture element (105) according to one of Claims 3 until 4 , with at least one cover plate side wall (160) extending from an edge of the cover plate (155) transversely to the cover plate (155). Aperture element (105) according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one contact surface (165) for contacting a cover element (405) for covering an upper side (420) of the lighting device (110) which differs from the side (132) and another side (415). having. Aperture element (105) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least a second reflector element (167) with at least one reflectively shaped additional side wall (130) for covering one side of a further lighting device (170) and with a further recess (135) which is formed in order to expose another side of the further lighting device (170) that differs from the side of the further lighting device (170) in order to enable the cover element (105) to be mounted on the further lighting device (170) via the further recess (135). Aperture element (105) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the side wall (130) and/or the recess (135) has a height between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters. Aperture system (425) with a aperture element (105) according to and one of the preceding claims and a cover element (405) for covering an upper side (420) of the lighting device (110) which differs from the side (132) and another side (415). Lighting system (605) with a shutter element (105) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th and the illumination device (110), which is designed to reflect illumination light from the illumination device (110) to an opening (150) of the aperture element (105). Monitoring system (180) for a vehicle (100), wherein the monitoring system (180) has a camera (117) and the lighting system (605) according to Claim 10 has, in particular wherein the at least one reflectively shaped side wall (130) of the reflector element (125) covers the side (132) of the lighting device (110) in a mounted state of the cover element (105) on the lighting device (110) and the recess (135) the other side (415) of the lighting device (110) is exposed. Method (700) for assembling a shutter element (105) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th on a lighting device (110) for a camera system (115), the method (700) having the following steps: arranging (705) the aperture element (105) on the illumination device (110), wherein in step (705) of arranging the aperture element (105) is moved via the recess (135) via the lighting device (110); and mechanically coupling (710) the coupling device (120) to a camera component of the camera system (115) in order to mount the aperture element (105), wherein in an assembled state the side wall (130) of the reflector element (125) covers the side (132) of the Covers the lighting device (110) and the recess (135) exposes the other side (415) of the lighting device (110). Device that is set up to carry out the steps (705, 710) of the method (700) according to Claim 12 to be carried out and/or controlled in appropriate units. Computer program that is set up to carry out the steps (705, 710) of the method (700). Claim 12 to execute and/or control. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program can be written Claim 14 is stored.

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