ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20140253730A1
• Filed: 04/28/2014
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeWard, Joshua L., Brown, Steven L., Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,266,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 related to ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle includes a mounting element attached at an inner surface of a windshield and configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is configured for mounting to the mounting element via snap attachment. The accessory module accommodates a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield. The camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the vehicle. The accessory module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting with circuitry disposed in the accessory module. The electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least a power source of the vehicle and a communication bus of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that, when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system, is exterior of the equipped vehicle and said windshield having an inner surface that is interior of the equipped vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is positioned at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated;

wherein said mounting element is configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

wherein said accessory module is configured for mounting to said mounting element via snap attachment;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a first circuit board;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector;

wherein said electrical connector comprises a plurality of electrically conducting members;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module; and

wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least a power source of the equipped vehicle and a communication bus of the equipped vehicle.

2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said communication bus of the equipped vehicle comprises a CAN communication bus.

3. The accessory system of claim 2, wherein said mounting element is adhesively held at said windshield.

4. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises a first holding portion and a second holding portion and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is held at said first holding portion and said lens is held at said second holding portion.

5. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein (i) said CMOS photosensor array is manufactured by a first manufacturer, (ii) said lens is manufactured by a second manufacturer and (iii) said accessory module is manufactured by a third manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer is different from said second manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said second manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer supplies said CMOS photosensor array to said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer supplies said lens to said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer uses said CMOS photosensor array and said lens during manufacture of said accessory module.

6. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein, when accommodated in said accessory module, said CMOS photosensor array is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said lens.

7. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises a holding portion configured to hold said lens.

8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said mounting element is positioned at or near an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to a mirror mounting button that is attached at said inner surface of said windshield.

9. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein a mirror mounting button is attached at said inner surface of said windshield and wherein an interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to said mirror mounting button, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element, at least two photosensors, a microprocessor and associated circuitry all commonly established on a common semiconductor element, and wherein said microprocessor is operable to detect a voltage applied to said electro-optic reflective element and to adjust the voltage applied to said electro-optic reflective element via controlling a current gating element, said current gating element controlling an amount of current shunted to ground to control the voltage applied to said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes an inductive power receiver that receives power from an inductive power transmitter located remotely from said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a data transceiver that wirelessly communicates with a data transceiver located remotely from said interior rearview mirror assembly.

10. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said mounting element comprises first structure and said accessory module comprises second structure and wherein said first and second structures cooperate for snap attachment of said accessory module to said mounting element.

11. The accessory system of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first and second structures comprises at least one of a tab, a flange and a clasp.

12. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said mounting element is generally one of rectangular-shaped and square-shaped.

13. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said circuitry disposed in said accessory module is disposed on a second circuit board of said accessory module.

14. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board.

15. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board via a ribbon cable.

16. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said mounting element and said accessory module are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said imaging sensor and said lens are oriented so that the field of view for said camera through said windshield is appropriate for said driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.

17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and at least one of (i) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle and (iv) a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

18. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that, when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system, is exterior of the equipped vehicle and said windshield having an inner surface that is interior of the equipped vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is positioned at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated;

wherein said mounting element is configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

wherein said accessory module is configured for mounting to said mounting element via snap attachment;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a first circuit board;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module;

wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to a CAN communication bus of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said mounting element and said accessory module are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said imaging sensor and said lens are oriented so that the field of view for said camera through said windshield is appropriate for said driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and at least one of (i) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle and (iv) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

19. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein said mounting element comprises first structure and said accessory module comprises second structure and wherein said first and second structures cooperate for snap attachment of said accessory module to said mounting element.

20. The accessory system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second structures comprises at least one of a tab, a flange and a clasp.

21. The accessory system of claim 19, wherein said mounting element is generally one of rectangular-shaped and square-shaped, and wherein said circuitry disposed in said accessory module is disposed on a second circuit board of said accessory module, and wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board.

22. The accessory system of claim 19, wherein said mounting element is positioned at or near an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to a mirror mounting button that is attached at said inner surface of said windshield, and wherein, when accommodated in said accessory module, said CMOS photosensor array is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said lens.

23. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein said mounting element is generally one of rectangular-shaped and square-shaped.

24. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein said circuitry disposed in said accessory module is disposed on a second circuit board of said accessory module, and wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board.

25. The accessory system of claim 24, wherein said electrical connector comprises a plurality of electrically conducting members.

26. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that, when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system, is exterior of the equipped vehicle and said windshield having an inner surface that is interior of the equipped vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is positioned at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated;

wherein said mounting element is configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

wherein said accessory module is configured for mounting to said mounting element via snap attachment;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a first circuit board;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module;

wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to a communication bus of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said mounting element and said accessory module are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said imaging sensor and said lens are oriented so that the field of view for said camera through said windshield is appropriate for said driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assistance system comprises a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and at least one of (i) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle and (iv) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said mounting element comprises first structure and said accessory module comprises second structure and wherein said first and second structures cooperate for snap attachment of said accessory module to said mounting element.

27. The accessory system of claim 26, wherein at least one of said first and second structures comprises at least one of a tab, a flange and a clasp.

28. The accessory system of claim 26, wherein said mounting element is generally one of rectangular-shaped and square-shaped, and wherein said circuitry disposed in said accessory module is disposed on a second circuit board of said accessory module, and wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board.

29. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that, when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system, is exterior of the equipped vehicle and said windshield having an inner surface that is interior of the equipped vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is positioned at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated;

wherein said mounting element is configured for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a first circuit board;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield;

wherein said camera is operable to capture image data for use by a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module;

wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to a communication bus of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said mounting element and said accessory module are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said imaging sensor and said lens are oriented so that the field of view for said camera through said windshield is appropriate for said driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assistance system comprises a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle and at least one of (i) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle and (iv) a headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said circuitry disposed in said accessory module is disposed on a second circuit board of said accessory module; and

wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board.

30. The accessory system of claim 29, wherein said electrical connector comprises a plurality of electrically conducting members, and wherein said mounting element is generally one of rectangular-shaped and square-shaped.

31. The accessory system of claim 29, wherein said accessory module is configured for mounting to said mounting element via snap attachment and wherein said mounting element comprises first structure and said accessory module comprises second structure and wherein said first and second structures cooperate for snap attachment of said accessory module to said mounting element.

32. The accessory system of claim 29, wherein said second circuit board electrically connects with said first circuit board via a ribbon cable.