MODULAR UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20160176347A1
• Filed: 12/17/2015
• Published: 06/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Kiehl, Erik
• Granted Patent: US 10,348,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: 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, and an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or gate of a motor vehicle. The modular unit is located on a movable door or gate of the motor vehicle. The camera unit can be brought into an active operating position or a standby position upon activation of the actuating unit.

Claims

1. A modular unit comprising:

at least one camera unit for sensing an outside area; and

an actuating unit for opening and/or closing a door or tailgate of a motor vehicle,

wherein the modular unit is located on the door or tailgate of the motor vehicle such that the camera unit can be brought into an active operating position or a standby position upon activation of the actuating unit.

2. The modular unit according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical and/or electrical coupling unit for connecting the camera unit and the actuating unit, 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 a standby position or operating position, by the coupling unit.

3. The modular unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit can be brought into the active operating position for sensing the outside area located behind the motor vehicle when the tailgate is open by actuation of a gearshift lever into a reverse gear of the motor vehicle.

4. The modular unit according to claim 3, wherein the camera unit can be brought from the active operating position into the standby position by repeated actuation of the gearshift lever into a different gear from reverse gear.

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

6. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the support bracket has a recessed handle and a camera housing in which the camera unit is arranged in a sealing manner.

7. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein a pivoting lever is located on the shell.

8. The modular unit according to claim 7, wherein the pivoting lever and/or the support bracket are designed to rotate about a pivot (14) located on the shell.

9. The modular unit according to claim 8, wherein the same pivot is provided both for the support bracket and for the lever.

10. The modular unit according to claim 7, wherein the support bracket has an opening or recess, and the pivoting lever is pivotally located inside the opening or recess.

11. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the support bracket includes a stop surface, and wherein the stop surface and the lever constitute a coupling unit.

12. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the support bracket serves as the camera housing for the camera unit.

13. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the support bracket includes a hinged protective lid that can be set in motion by an electric drive or can be set in motion by a movement of an image acquisition unit associated with the camera unit when the image acquisition unit extends.

14. The modular unit according to claim 13, further comprising at least one limit switch unit for deactivating or activating an electric drive unit associated with the camera unit and/or for deactivating or activating the image acquisition unit.

15. The modular unit according to claim 5, further comprising at least one damping element located on the shell and/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 the rest position.

16. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein a pivoting lever is located on the shell and includes an energy storage device, the energy storage device being unstressed in a rest position.

17. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the support bracket is equipped with an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is unstressed in a rest position of the support bracket.

18. The modular unit according to claim 5, wherein the support bracket can be moved out of and/or into the shell by means of an electric drive.

19. The modular unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is implemented as a pickup truck or van, wherein the gate of the pickup truck or van is designed to pivot by at least 90°

from its closed position.