Modular unit for a motor vehicle

• US 10,104,271 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: HUG Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Kiehl, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US14/973,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20160176346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 49 31, 49 62, 49 67, 49501
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/027 movable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils

Abstract

A modular unit comprises at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area, an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or gate of a motor vehicle, and a coupling unit for connecting the camera unit and the actuating unit. The modular unit is located on a movable door or gate of the motor vehicle. The camera unit can be brought into an operating position upon activation of the actuating unit. In the operating position, the camera unit actively visually senses the outside area located behind the motor vehicle. Upon activation of the actuating unit, the gate or door can be brought into an open position and the camera unit can be brought into the operating position by the coupling unit. The camera unit is in an active operating position for sensing the outside area located behind the motor vehicle when the gate is open.

Claims

1. A modular unit located on a door or tailgate of a motor vehicle and comprising:

at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area;

an actuating unit for opening the door or tailgate of the motor vehicle; and

a mechanical or electrical coupling unit for connecting the camera unit and the actuating unit;

wherein the camera unit can be brought into an operating position upon activation of the actuating unit, and in the operating position the camera unit actively visually senses the outside area located behind the motor vehicle,

wherein upon activation of the actuating unit the tailgate or door can be brought into an open position and the camera unit can be brought into the operating position by the coupling unit, and

wherein the camera unit is in an active operating position for sensing the outside area located behind the motor vehicle when the door or tailgate is open.

2. The modular unit according to claim 1, wherein the actuating unit includes a shell in which a pivoting support bracket is located.

3. The modular unit according to claim 2, wherein the support bracket includes a recessed handle and a camera housing in which the camera unit is arranged in a sealing manner.

4. The modular unit according to claim 2, wherein a pivoting lever is located on the shell.

5. The modular unit according to claim 4, wherein the lever or the support bracket are designed to rotate about a pivot located on the shell.

6. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the lever has an energy storage device, and wherein the energy storage device is unstressed in a rest position.

7. The modular unit according to claim 4, wherein the support bracket and the lever are designed to rotate about a common pivot.

8. The modular unit according to claim 4, wherein the support bracket has an opening or recess, and the lever is pivotally located inside the opening or recess.

9. The modular unit according to claim 4, wherein the support bracket includes a stop surface, and wherein the stop surface and the lever constitute the coupling unit.

10. The modular unit according to claim 2, wherein the support bracket serves as the camera housing for the camera unit.

11. The modular unit according to claim 2, wherein the support bracket is equipped with a hinged protective lid that is configured to be set in motion by an electric drive or a movement of an image acquisition unit associated with the camera unit when the image acquisition unit extends.

12. The modular unit according to claim 11, wherein the modular unit includes at least one limit switch unit for deactivating or activating an electric drive unit associated with the camera unit or for deactivating or activating the image acquisition unit.

13. The modular unit according to claim 2, further comprising at least one damping element located on the shell or on the support bracket, wherein the at least one damping element is located at least partially between the shell and the support bracket when the support bracket is in a rest position.

14. The modular unit according to claim 2, wherein the support bracket includes an energy storage device, and wherein the energy storage device is unstressed in a rest position of the support bracket.

15. The modular unit according to claim 2, wherein the support bracket is moveable out of or into the shell by an electric drive.

16. The modular unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle includes a pickup truck or van, and wherein the tailgate is pivotable by at least 90°

from a closed position.

17. A gate assembly for a vehicle, the gate assembly comprising:

a gate being movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the vehicle;

a support bracket supported by the gate, the support bracket being pivotable between an open position and a closed position relative to the gate; and

a sensor supported by the support bracket, the sensor being translatable between a stowed position and an operating position such that the sensor is operable to (i) sense an area outside of the vehicle when the support bracket is in the open position and (ii) sense the area outside of the vehicle when the support bracket is in the closed position.

18. The gate assembly according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is (i) translatable in a direction parallel to a ground surface when the support bracket is in the open position and (ii) is translatable in a direction parallel to the ground surface when the support bracket is in the closed position.

19. The gate assembly according to claim 17, wherein the sensor faces a first direction when the support bracket is in the open position, and wherein the sensor faces the first direction when the support bracket is in the closed position.

20. The gate assembly according to claim 17, further comprising:

a housing in which the support bracket is located; and

a lever pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the lever is operable to pivot the support bracket from the closed position to the open position.

21. The gate assembly according to claim 17, wherein the sensor is at least partially disposed within the gate in the stowed position.