Vehicle vision system with rear mounted camera

• US 10,384,611 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2018
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Briggance, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fan, Hua
• Application Number:
  US15/984,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20180265003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/10 characterised by the type of camera system used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors

Abstract

A vehicle vision system includes an extender element disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle. The extender element includes an extender portion and an end portion, with the end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle. The end portion includes at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo. A rear backup camera assembly is at least partially disposed in the extender portion of the extender element. The rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle. The extender element is incapable of extending such that the rear backup camera is non-movable relative to the rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle vision system, said vehicle vision system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear portion;

an extender element disposed at the rear portion so as to protrude rearward from the rear portion of the vehicle;

said extender element comprising an extender portion and an end portion, wherein said end portion is at an outer end of said extender portion that is distal from an inner end of said extender portion that is at the rear portion of the vehicle;

said end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle;

said end portion comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo;

wherein said extender portion comprises a sidewall having a lower portion and an upper portion, and wherein said lower portion protrudes from the rear portion of the vehicle more than said upper portion protrudes from the rear portion of the vehicle;

a rear backup camera assembly at least partially disposed in said extender portion;

said rear backup camera assembly comprising a lens and a two dimensional array of a plurality of light sensing photosensor elements;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle;

wherein said lens of said rear backup camera assembly is disposed at said lower portion of said sidewall of said extender portion;

wherein said extender element is incapable of extending such that said rear backup camera is non-movable relative to the rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle;

wherein said rear backup camera assembly comprises a CMOS color camera and wherein said CMOS color camera captures video images at least of an area immediately rearward of the vehicle;

wherein said extender element is at least partially formed of a polymeric material;

wherein the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly encompasses a rear part of the vehicle below said extender element so as to provide a reference for a driver of the vehicle when viewing video images captured by said rear backup camera assembly; and

wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned at a central region at the rear of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element comprises part of an exterior trim element.

3. The vehicle vision system of claim 2, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned above a rear license plate of the vehicle and wherein the rear part of the vehicle that is below said extender element and that is encompassed by the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly comprises a bumper.

4. The vehicle vision system of claim 3, wherein the rear portion of the vehicle comprises part of one of (i) a deck lid of the vehicle and (ii) a tailgate of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element comprises part of a rear tailgate handle.

6. The vehicle vision system of claim 5, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned above a rear license plate of the vehicle and wherein the rear part of the vehicle that is below said extender element and that is encompassed by the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly comprises a bumper.

7. The vehicle vision system of claim 6, wherein the rear portion of the vehicle comprises part of a tailgate of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element comprises part of a deck lid handle.

9. The vehicle vision system of claim 8, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned above a rear license plate of the vehicle and wherein the rear part of the vehicle that is below said extender element and that is encompassed by the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly comprises a bumper.

10. The vehicle vision system of claim 9, wherein the rear portion of the vehicle comprises part of a deck lid of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said extender element comprises part of a light bar.

12. The vehicle vision system of claim 11, wherein said rear backup camera assembly is positioned above a rear license plate of the vehicle and wherein the rear part of the vehicle that is below said extender element and that is encompassed by the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly comprises a bumper.

13. The vehicle vision system of claim 12, wherein the rear portion of the vehicle comprises part of one of (i) a deck lid of the vehicle and (ii) a tailgate of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle vision system of claim 1, wherein said end portion has a shape and wherein said extender portion has a shape matching that of said end portion.

15. The vehicle vision system of claim 14, wherein said rear backup camera assembly protrudes outwardly relative to the rear portion of the vehicle through an opening at a lower part of said extender element.

16. The vehicle vision system of claim 15, wherein the rear part of the vehicle that is below said extender element and that is encompassed by the field of view of said rear backup camera assembly comprises a bumper.

17. The vehicle vision system of claim 16, wherein said extender portion comprises an elongated portion having a shape matching that of said end portion.