Cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers

• US 10,232,799 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ghannam, Mahmoud Yousef, Carremm, Swadad
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, William B
• Application Number:
  US15/654,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20190023193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/29 for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/60 characterised by monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior scenes from a transformed perspective
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers. An example camera for vehicle trailers includes a casing. The casing defines a cavity and includes a first face defining a first window and a second face defining a second window. The example camera also includes a core including a lens and coupled to the casing within the cavity via an axle. The core rotates to enable capturing of images through the first window and the second window. The example camera also includes gears within the cavity to facilitate rotation of the core.

Claims

1. A camera for vehicle trailers comprising:

a casing defining a cavity and including;

a first face defining a first window; and

a second face defining a second window;

a core including a lens and coupled to the casing within the cavity via an axle, the core rotates to enable capturing of images through the first window and the second window; and

gears within the cavity to facilitate rotation of the core.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the core rotates to position the lens adjacent to the first window to enable the capturing of images external to a vehicle trailer.

3. The camera of claim 2, wherein the core rotates to position the lens adjacent to the second window to enable the capturing of images within an interior of the vehicle trailer.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein the core is integrally formed with the axle.

5. The camera of claim 1, wherein the core defines teeth to enable the core to mesh with the gears.

6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the axle enables the core to make a complete rotation.

7. The camera of claim 1, wherein the axle couples to a first side and a second side of the casing that extend between the first face and the second face of the casing.

8. The camera of claim 7, wherein the gears include a first gear adjacent to the first side of the casing and a second gear adjacent to the second side of the casing.

9. The camera of claim 1, wherein the gears drive the rotation of the core.

10. The camera of claim 1, wherein the gears stabilize the rotation of the core.

11. The camera of claim 1, further including a transparent cover that encases a portion of the core including the lens and engages a first edge of the first face that defines the first window and a second edge of the second face that defines the second window to seal the cavity.

12. The camera of claim 1, further including a motor positioned within the cavity that drives the rotation of the core.

13. The camera of claim 12, wherein the motor is a stepper motor.

14. The camera of claim 12, wherein the motor is located within a chamber of the core.

15. The camera of claim 12, further including a battery positioned within the cavity that powers the motor.

16. The camera of claim 1, further including a wireless communication module that is communicatively coupled to a display of a vehicle.

17. A camera comprising:

a casing defining a cavity and a window;

a core located within the cavity and including;

a lens;

a transparent cover that encases a portion of the core including the lens and contacts an edge defining the window;

an axle for coupling to the casing, the core rotates via the axle to enable capturing of images through the window; and

gears within the cavity to facilitate rotation of the core.

18. The camera of claim 17, wherein, as the core rotates via the axle, the edge cleans the transparent cover.

19. The camera of claim 18, wherein the edge includes a silicone rubber seal.

20. The camera of claim 17, wherein the casing defines a second window and the core rotates to enable the capturing of images through the second window.