Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R11/04—Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/56—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
  • B60R2011/004—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position outside the vehicle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/46—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices using liquid; Windscreen washers
  • B60S1/48—Liquid supply therefor
  • B60S1/52—Arrangement of nozzles; Liquid spreading means

Definitions

• the invention provides an arrangement for mounting a rear vision camera on a body structure element of a motor vehicle, including means for protecting the optics of the camera.
• the invention more particularly provides an arrangement for mounting and fixing a rear vision camera on a body structure element of a motor vehicle, of the type in which the camera is arranged at the rear of the vehicle and its optical axis is generally oriented longitudinally towards the rear, the camera being arranged inside a sealed housing, which has a viewing window located in the optical axis of the camera.
• Rear view cameras are used in many of today's motor vehicles, and are part of a parking assistance system that detects obstacles behind the vehicle.
• the camera is generally arranged at the rear bumper or the rear registration plate of the vehicle.
• the camera is therefore highly exposed to shocks and projections of pollutants which can deposit on its optics and thus reduce its efficiency.
• a device for cleaning the optics of the camera generally a nozzle for cleaning liquid, near the latter, in order to remove the polluting elements which have settled.
• the camera lens which is a relatively fragile element, is not protected from projections which could damage it.
• mount the camera inside the external casing of the vehicle and to protect it from external aggressions by means of a protective window fixed to dressing. Although the camera is protected from external aggressions, the camera remains subject to the deposition of pollutants located inside the vehicle trim, and cleaning the camera is particularly difficult in such an arrangement.
• the object of the invention is to propose an arrangement for fixing the camera which also makes it possible to protect the camera, and more particularly the optics of the camera, and which also makes it possible to ensure cleaning in the event of projections of pollutants.
• the invention provides an arrangement for mounting and fixing a rear vision camera on a body structure element of a motor vehicle, of the type in which the camera is arranged at the rear of the vehicle and its optical axis is generally oriented longitudinally towards the rear, the camera being arranged inside a sealed enclosure, which includes a viewing window located in the optical axis of the camera, characterized in that the window consists of an opening in the housing which is formed in the optical axis of the camera and which is closed by a transverse vertical window made of transparent material.
• the casing comprises a frame for supporting the glass which delimits a rear transverse vertical wall of the casing, and the glass is pressed longitudinally towards the rear against a front transverse vertical face of the frame ;
• the frame carries elastic elements which are in contact with the transverse vertical front face a of the window, to keep the window in abutment against the front face of the frame;
• the upper face of a lower transverse section of the frame is inclined downwards, from the lower edge of the window;
• the housing carries means for spraying cleaning liquid on the vertical transverse external face of the window;
• the projection means are made integrally with the housing;
• the projection means comprise a nozzle which is fixed on an upper horizontal wall of the housing;
• the internal vertical transverse face of the glass is covered with a layer of material capable of generating heat;
• the elastic elements are made of a current conducting material so as to electrically connect the heating material to a source of electric current;
• the arrangement comprises strips of conductive material which
• the claw comprises at least one contact finger with the layer of heating material; -
• the fixing means are made in one piece by cutting and folding a strip of current conducting material; -
• the claw comprises means for its vertical positioning relative to the glass; -
• the fastening means have symmetry with respect to a median horizontal plane; - the frame is molded around the claw of each fastening means;
• the body structure element comprises a rear vertical wall and a lower horizontal wall which extends longitudinally forwards from the lower edge of the rear wall, and the body passes at least partially through an orifice complementary to the lower wall, it includes means for diverting the water flowing on the rear wall, generally above the camera;
• the arrangement includes a tongue which extends vertically downwards from the bottom wall, behind the camera and whose free lower end edge of the tongue is curved so as to redirect at least part of the water flowing over the rear wall; - the lower edge of the tongue is curved backwards, forming a curved strip;
• the rear wall has a boss projecting rear
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of an arrangement for the mounting a camera according to the invention
• - Figure 2 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention
• - Figure 3 is a detail on a larger scale of the mounting of the glass on the body of the housing shown in Figure 1
• - Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the camera, the glass and means for electrically connecting the layer of heating material to the current source
• - Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, showing an alternative embodiment of the elastic elements
• - Figure 6 is a perspective view from behind of the arrangement according to the invention showing the socket formed by the strips of conductive material and the associated housing
• - Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, showing another method of fixing the frame by electrical connection means
• - Figure 8 is a detail on a larger scale of the window and electrical connection means shown in Figure 7,
• - Figure 9 is a view similar to
• FIG. 1 and 2 an arrangement for mounting a rear vision camera 10 forming part of a parking aid device for a motor vehicle.
• the camera 10 is thus mounted at the rear of the vehicle, generally near the rear bumper or the rear registration plate (not shown), and its optical axis C is oriented rearwards and downwards, so as to be able to detect obstacles of low height located at the rear of the vehicle and which the driver cannot see.
• the camera 10 is received inside a protective box 12 which on the one hand ensures the attachment of the camera 10 to the body of the vehicle, and which also protects the body of the camera 10.
• the housing 12 includes a generally cylindrical body 14 coaxial with the optical axis C of the camera 10, which is open at its front end 14a , for the introduction of the camera 10 into the interior volume of the housing 12, and which is open at its rear end 14b, facing the optical axis C of the camera 10, to allow vision towards the 'outside.
• the housing 12 is closed in a sealed manner.
• the housing 12 comprises a front cover 16 which sealingly closes the opening of the front end 14a of the body 14, and the opening of the rear end 14b of the body 14 housing 12 is sealed by a window 18.
• the front cover 16 has a hole (not shown) for the passage of the cables necessary for the operation of the camera 10.
• the front cover 16 has a hole which is closed by a membrane made of a material capable of being traversed by air but not by water. This is called a respirator, in particular for balancing the pressure inside the housing 12 in the event of temperature variations.
• the window 18 is located in the optical axis C of the camera 10, and it extends in a generally vertical transverse plane.
• the window 18 is made of a transparent material, so as not to affect the efficiency of the camera 10.
• the window 18 is made of glass or a transparent plastic material such as polycarbonate. It is therefore the window 18 which is subjected to all attacks from the outside, that is to say both projections of pollutants and gravel as deposits of pollutants.
• the window 18 is made of a material which is less fragile than the optics of the camera 10.
• it is easier and less expensive to replace a window 18 according to the invention in the case where that which is present the origin is greatly damaged, rather than replacing the optics of the camera 10.
• the window 18 according to the invention can be cleaned by conventional means, without requiring special attention to cleaning.
• the window 18 can be cleaned by conventional means, without requiring special attention to cleaning.
• the frame 20 which seals the opening of the rear end 14b of the body 14.
• the frame 20 has two vertical grooves 22, produced in the internal vertical longitudinal walls opposite the uprights 24 of the frame 20, and they open out at their upper ends, to receive the window 18 which is introduced by a vertical downward movement. So that the connection between the housing 12 and the window 18 is sealed, the window 18 is held in abutment against the front vertical transverse faces 22a of the grooves 22 and of the frame 20.
• the seal can, in addition, be completed by a seal (not shown).
• the frame 20 carries elastic elements 26, which here have the form of hooks, and which exert on the face vertical transverse front 18a of the window 18 an effort of plating the window 18 which is oriented towards the rear.
• the upper horizontal wall 14s of the body 14 is an element attached to the body 14 which is fixed on the other part of the body 14, after mounting the window 18 in the frame 20, so as to cover the upper edge of the window 18, preventing it from moving vertically upwards.
• the frame 20 is molded around the window 18, and according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the window 18 is directly bonded to the rear end 14b of the body 14.
• the rear vertical transverse face 28a of the lower section 28 of the frame 20 is located longitudinally behind the rear face 18b of the window 18.
• the upper face 28s of lower section 28 of the frame 20 is inclined downward, from the lower edge of the glass 18 to the upper edge of the rear face 28a of the lower section 28, to avoid any accumulation of pollutants at the lower edge of the glass 18 , and allow their evacuation by runoff.
• the window 18 is covered, in whole or in part, with a layer of a material capable of generating heat when an electric current passes through it, which will hereinafter be called "layer of thermal material".
• layer of thermal material a material capable of generating heat when an electric current passes through it.
• the electrical supply of the layer of thermal material is carried out by means of elastic elements 26 which are made of an electrically conductive material.
• the elastic elements 26 are electrically connected to a source of electric current by means of strips of conductive material 36 which extend longitudinally forward along a vertical side wall of the body 14, here the wall left side 14g.
• the bands 36 are made integrally with elastic elements 26, and they consist of longitudinal metal rods whose rear end is shaped so as to form the elastic elements 26.
• Figure 3 another embodiment of the housing 12 according to which the glass 18 is adapted to be dismantled.
• the pane has the shape of a disc coaxial with the optical axis C of the camera 10, and its peripheral circular edge 18c has a thread 38 which cooperates with a complementary thread 40 of the body 14 for fixing the pane 18, or for dismantling the pane 18 from the body 14. Furthermore the fact that the pane 18 is removable makes it possible to replace it with another new pane, when it is too damaged to allow correct operation of the camera 10.
• the window 18 is integral with the frame 20, and it is the frame 20 which has the shape of a disc and the peripheral edge of which includes a thread which cooperates with a thread complementary to the rear end 14b of the body 14.
• strips of conductive material 36 extend above the camera 10, along the upper wall 14s of the body 14, and as can be seen in FIG. 5, the front longitudinal ends 36a of the two strips of conductive material 36 extend in a housing 42 which projects upwards relative to the upper face of the upper wall 14s, and which is open its rear end 42b.
• the strips of conductive material 36 and the housing 42 thus form a female socket which receives a complementary male connector (not shown) for electrically connecting the elastic elements 26 to the source of electric current.
• the elastic elements 26 are each a rear end section of the strips of conductive material 36, and they extend generally vertically downwards and rearwards, so that their respective free rear lower ends 26i are in contact against the front face 18a of the window 18, at a place situated vertically generally in the middle of the window 18.
• the elastic elements 26 are added elements fixed to the rear end 36b of the strips of conductive material 36.
• elastic elements 26 comprise a generally tubular element 44 of longitudinal main axis, inside which a finger 46 is capable of sliding. The finger 46 is resiliently pushed backwards by an elastic element (not shown) so as to maintain permanent contact with the layer of thermal material.
• the tubular element 44, the finger 46 and the elastic element are made of a current-conducting material. Due to their main longitudinal orientation, the elastic elements 26 have a small vertical size, which makes it possible to arrange them at the two upper corners of the window 18. As can be seen in FIG. 6, here, the upper wall
• FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the housing 12 according to which the means 56 for fixing the frame 20 and the glass 18 to the body 14 also make the electrical connection of the layer of thermal material to the current source .
• the fastening means 56 are two in number and each comprises a claw 58, which is connected to the glass 18 at the vertical edges of the right and left lateral end 18d, 18g of the window 18, and a fixing lug 60 which extends longitudinally forward from the claw 58.
• the fixing means 56 are made of a current-conducting material, preferably an iron-based material .
• the claw 58 and the associated mounting lug 50 are made in one piece by cutting and bending a metal strip.
• the claw 58 has an upright 62 which covers the entire lateral edge 18d, 18g associated with the glass 18, and from which fingers of the claw extend to position the claw 58 on the glass 18.
• the claw 58 comprises an upper finger 64s and a lower finger 64i which extend transversely by partially covering the associated upper or lower edge of the window 18, by extending the free upper or lower end of the upright 62.
• the claw also comprises a rear finger 66 bearing against the rear face 18b of the glass 18, which here consists of a vertical strip which extends transversely the rear edge of the upright 62.
• the claw comprises two front fingers 68 which are pressed against the face front 18a of the glass 18, and which each consist here of a transverse strip which extends the front edge of the upright 62.
• the front fingers 68 are in abutment against the front face 18a of the glass 18, consequently , they are in contact with the layer of thermal material.
• the vertical positioning of the riffe 58 relative to the glass 18 is achieved by the upper and lower fingers 64s, 64i, which makes it possible to position the front fingers 68 relative to the associated contacts (not shown) of the layer of thermal material .
• the attachment means 56 are secured to the glass 18 by fixing the frame 20 with the glass 18.
• the frame 20 is produced by overmolding around the glass 18 so as to cover the peripheral edge of the window 18 and the claws 58 of the fastening means 56. This also makes it possible to guarantee the seal between the window 18 and the frame 20.
• the assembly of the assembly consisting of the glass 18, the frame 20 and the fixing means 56 is carried out by means of the fixing lugs 60 which are each received in a complementary housing 70 of the body 14 of the housing 12.
• the fixing lugs 60 are vertical longitudinal bands which extend longitudinally forward from the upright 62 of the associated claw 58.
• each lug that is to say their vertical dimension, at their free front longitudinal end 60a is less than the width of the rest of the paw.
• the fixing lugs 60 also include an elastically deformable finger 72 which is able to retract when the lug 60 is introduced into the housing, and the free rear end 72a of which rests against a transverse vertical face (not shown) of the housing 70, to achieve the longitudinal locking of the fixing lug 60 in the housing 70.
• the electrical connection of the fixing means 56 to the current source is made by means of the fixing lugs 60, when they are received inside the associated housing 70, by electrical connection means of a type known per se.
• each fixing means 56 has symmetry with respect to a median horizontal plane, which makes it possible to have an identical structure of the fixing means 56 arranged on the right and on the left of the window 18, and thus, this reduces the costs. for producing these fixing means 56.
• the frame 20 is made of an elastic material such as an elastomeric material, so that when it is mounted on the body 14 of the housing 12, it realizes the sealing of the closure of the housing 12.
• the fixing lugs 60 then participate in this sealing by keeping the frame 20 pressed against the body 14 so that the frame 20 is partially deformed.
• the external climatic conditions are also the cause of a lack of rear visibility.
• the assembly formed by the camera 10 and the housing 12 is often part of an equipment module 48 which is arranged above the plate rear registration (not shown) of the vehicle.
• the housing 12 projects downward relative to a bottom wall 48i of this equipment module 48.
• bad weather in particular in the event of heavy rain, the water flowing on the rear vertical wall 48a of the module equipment 48 flows in front of camera 10, partially obscuring its field of vision. It is the same in very cold weather, where ice accumulations in the form of stalactites can form in the optical axis of the camera 10.
• FIG. 9 shows a first embodiment of these deflection means which consist of a tongue 50 which extends vertically downwards, extending the lower edge of the rear vertical wall 48a of the equipment module 48.
• the lower edge 50i of the tongue 50 is curved convexly, that is to say that it has the overall shape of an inverted U.
• the ends of the lower edge 50i of the tongue 50 that is to say the lower corners of the tongue 50 are located lowest relative to the rest of the tongue 50, the water flowing from the rear wall 48a of the equipment module 48, and which flows along the tongue 50, is redirected towards the lower corners of the tongue 50, that is to say it is spaced from the optical axis C of the camera 10.
• FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of these deflection means which consist of a boss 54 which projects rearwards on the rear wall 48a of the equipment module 48, above the camera 10.
• the boss 54 is designed so as to have a profile according to a generally elliptical transverse vertical plane whose width increases as it approaches the lower edge of the rear wall 48a. The boss 54 thus forms an obstacle to the water flowing there.
• the body 14 of the housing 12 is made of an opaque material, which allows on the one hand to conceal the camera 10, and to make it discreet.
• the entire housing 12 is made of a transparent material, such as for example polycarbonate, which makes it possible to simplify the fixing of the glass 18 with the body. 14, since it is made integrally with the body 14.
• the side walls of the body are made of transparent material, such as for example polycarbonate, which makes it possible to simplify the fixing of the glass 18 with the body. 14, since it is made integrally with the body 14.
• the layer of material 106 capable of generating heat is connected to conductive tracks 107 by electrical connection means 100, 101.
• the means may be in the form of buffers 100, 101 made of elastomeric material, for example EDPM, charged with electrically conductive particles, such as coal or gold. However, any electrically conductive particles can be used.
• FIG. 11 shows two pads 100, 101 of elongated shape.
• the first pad 100 extends on a first side of the rear face 18a of the window 18 and the second pad 101 extends on a second side of the face 18a opposite to the first side of the rear face 18a of the window 18.
• the diffusion of the current through the layer 106 of the window 18 is more homogeneous, because the current crosses transversely, thus taking the shortest path. This is why the elongated shape of the buffers 100, 101 makes it possible to have faster temperature increases. It is however also possible to mount the pads on the two opposite transverse sides of the rear face 18a of the window 18. As can be seen in FIG.
• a seal 104 is molded around the pads 100, 101 of so as to allow a sealed closure between the window 18 and the housing 1 10.
• the seal 104 is made of non-conductive elastomeric material, for example EDPM.
• the sealing means 104 may further comprise a front part connected to the rear part by at least one bridge 109, the bridge 109 being intended to be folded so that the parts rear and front are placed respectively against the rear transverse faces 18a and front 18b of the window 18.
• the arrangement may further comprise a thermal protection component 105 for regulating the temperature of the layer 106. Following legislative regulations, the exterior side of a car must have a maximum temperature of 60 ° C.
• Component 105 makes it possible to limit and control the heating to 60 ° C. For this purpose, it is installed between the pad 100, 101 elastomer and the conductive tracks 107.
• a section is shown showing the window 18, the layer of material 106 capable of generating heat, the pad 100, 101 elastomer, the thermal protection component 105 and the conductive track 107.
• Figure 13 also shows the seal 104 and the housing 1 10, in which the different layers 18, 100, 101, 105, 106 and 107 are positioned.
• the arrangement may include a locking clip (not shown) capable of compressing the pad between the glass 18 and the conductive tracks (107). The locking clip ensures a solid electrical connection.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
• Studio Devices (AREA)
• Structure And Mechanism Of Cameras (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34400737

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

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• 2003
  • 2003-10-23 FR FR0312425A patent/FR2861348B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-10-25 JP JP2006536063A patent/JP2007512165A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-10-25 US US10/576,597 patent/US20070132610A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-10-25 WO PCT/EP2004/012030 patent/WO2005039934A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2004-10-25 EP EP04790818A patent/EP1675755A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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