COMPONENT ALIGNMENT MAINTAINING MODULE FOR AN ACTIVE NIGHT VISION SYSTEM MOUNTED WITHIN AN INTERIOR CABIN OF A VEHICLE

• US 20060187667A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Zlamal, Radek
• Application Number:
  US10/250,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187667A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/490
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/015 involving arrangement aiming to get less bulky devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence

Abstract

A component alignment-maintaining module (58) for a vision system (10) that is mounted within an interior cabin (12) of a vehicle (14) includes a body (90). The body (90) includes multiple guides (91) that are fixed therein and adapted to maintain alignment of a light source (72) in relation to a beam-forming optic (100) and to direct a transmission beam (20) through a window (28) of the vehicle (14). Multiple supports (102) are configured to support the beam-forming optic (100) along a perimeter (48) of the window (28).

Claims

1. A component alignment maintaining module for a vision system, mounted within an interior cabin of a vehicle, comprising:

a body comprising;

a plurality of guides fixed therein and adapted to maintain alignment of and to support a non-indicator vision system light source, for significantly illuminating at least one object external to the vehicle, in relation to a light coupler and a beam-forming optic for proper expansion and directed passage of a transmission beam to reflect off of said light coupler, through said beam-forming optic, and through a window of the vehicle; and

a plurality of supports configured to support said beam-forming optic along a perimeter of said window.

2. A module as in claim 1 wherein said body is configured as to prevent eye exposure to light from said light source.

4. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides aid in rigidly fixing said light coupler to said body.

5. A module as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of guides is position-adjustable relative to said light coupler.

6. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides comprises external contours that correspond with contours of said light source.

7. A module as in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of guides directly abuts three sides of said light source.

8. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides are adapted to maintain alignment of a heat sink in relation to said light source.

9. A module as in claim 8 wherein said plurality of guides aid in rigidly fixing said light source and said heat sink to said body.

10. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides comprise a plurality of fastener apertures.

11. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides are adapted to maintain alignment of a light shroud in relation to said body.

13. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides aid in rigidly fixing said beam-forming optic to said body.

14. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides comprise a plurality of corner channels.

15. A module as in claim 14 wherein said plurality of corner channels are adapted as to align said beam-forming optic along a datum plane of said body.

16. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides comprise contours that correspond with contours of said beam-forming optic.

17. A module as in claim 1 further comprising:

an illumination beam inlet; and

an illumination beam outlet that is vertically or horizontally offset from said illumination beam inlet, such that said transmission beam is directed in a non-linear path through the module.

18. A module as in claim 1 wherein said body is configured to be coupled to a heat sink and allow air to circulate around said heat sink.

20. A module as in claim 1 wherein said body performs as a heat sink.

26. A module as in claim 1 further comprising a light shroud fastened to said body.

28. A module as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of guides is fixed within said body and said beam-forming optic is configured for total internal reflection.

29. A module as in claim 1 further comprising a light coupler carrying and guiding light from said light source to said beam-forming optic.

30. A module as in claim 1 further comprising a light coupler mounted forward of said light source and reflecting said transmission beam towards said beam forming optic.

31. A module as in claim 1 further comprising at least one position-adjusting mechanism coupled to said body and adjusting a position of at least one vision system component.

32. A module as in claim 31 wherein said at least one position-adjusting mechanism adjusts position of said body and a heat exchanger.

33. A module as in claim 31 wherein said at least one position-adjusting mechanism adjusts alignment of an illumination beam.

34. A module as in claim 31 further comprising a controller coupled to said at least one position-adjusting mechanism and controlling actuation of said at least one position-adjusting mechanism.

3. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

21-25. -25. (canceled)

27. A method of installing an illumination system within an interior cabin of a vehicle comprising:

assembling the illumination system;

fastening an alignment-mechanism of the illumination system to a roof structure of the vehicle;

sealing a light shroud of the illumination system to a window of the vehicle;

aligning a non-indicator transmission beam of the illumination system; and

rigidly locking said illumination system into place with respect to said interior cabin thereby rigidly fixing the alignment of said transmission beam.

35. A component alignment maintaining module for a vision system, mounted within an interior cabin of a vehicle, comprising:

a body comprising;

a plurality of guides fixed therein and adapted to maintain alignment of a vision system light source, for illuminating an environment external to the vehicle, in relation to a light coupler and a beam-forming optic and to direct a transmission beam through said light coupler, said beam-forming optic, and a window of the vehicle; and

a plurality of supports configured to support said beam-forming optic along a perimeter of said window.