Modular installation concept for a camera

• US 7,520,686 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Wussow, Burghard, Droege, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey; W. B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, MINH Q
• Application Number:
  US11/379,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20070172227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 396/535, 396/661, 396/643, 396/644, 348/143, 348/144, 348/151, 248/140, 248/221.11, 248/221.13, 248/222.14, 248/221.51, 248/222.52, 248/681, 296/100.06
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing

Abstract

A modular installation system for the installation of camera provides an installation kit capable of being used either flush mounted or protruding on the wall of an aircraft cabin. An external mounting housing or a mounting frame may be used. A camera module includes a camera and mounting hardware including a latching mechanism. The camera module may be arranged substantially in front of the installation wall or substantially flush with the installation wall using the same latching mechanism of the camera module. An external housing may be used for housing the camera module such that the external housing mounts on a surface of a wall or partially inserted into a wall, and the external housing provides latching hardware for mating with the latching mechanism of the camera module. A mounting frame may be inserted in a wall cutout to provide latching hardware for mating with the latching mechanism of the camera module for substantially flush mounting. An external frame may be removably fitted onto the camera module.

Claims

1. An installation kit for a camera for providing different camera installation positions, the installation kit comprising:

a camera module including a front side and a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism comprising a plurality of latching elements, the plurality of latching elements extending from the camera module and pivoting between a latching position and an unlatching position;

a front cover attachable to the front side of the camera module, the front cover including a plurality of pins engaging the plurality of latching elements such that the pins prevent the plurality of latching elements from pivoting out of the latching position, when the front cover is attached to the front side of the camera module; and

a mounting housing having an installation cutout for the camera module for mounting on an installation wall, wherein the camera module is capable of being latched in the installation cutout of the mounting housing using the latching mechanism such that the camera module is arranged in the mounting housing substantially in front of the installation wall or the camera module is flush mounted through a cutout in the installation wall.

2. The installation kit of claim 1, wherein the camera module further comprises at least one abutment surface such that the at least one abutment surface makes physical contact at an outer edge portion of the installation cutout, stopping the camera module and securing the camera module from passing through the installation cutout.

3. The installation kit of claim 1, further comprising an installation frame for latching the camera module in position when the camera module is flush mounted in the installation wall.

4. The installation kit of claim 3, wherein the installation cutout of the mounting housing and the installation frame comprise an opening that forms a seat for the camera module.

5. The installation kit of claim 4, wherein the mounting housing and the installation frame each comprise a plurality of latching cams;

and the latching cams are arranged such that the latching elements are positively engaged with the latching cams after a pivoting movement to the latching position.

6. An aircraft comprising the installation kit of claim 1.

7. A camera module comprising a camera housing mounted in the installation kit of claim 1.

8. The camera module of claim 7, wherein the camera housing comprises at least one abutment surface that is suitable for contacting the outside of the installation cutout so as to secure the camera module from falling into the installation cutout.

9. A method for installing a camera module using the installation kit of claim 1, comprising:

selecting an installation surface for mounting of the camera module such that a camera supported in the camera module is directed toward a desired field of view;

determining a thickness of the installation surface and a gap behind the installation surface;

selecting from installation hardware in the installation kit for either flush mounting the camera module through a cutout in the installation wall or mounting the camera module in the mounting housing substantially in front of the installation wall;

preparing the installation wall for mounting of the hardware and camera module;

inserting the camera module in the mounting hardware until an abutment surface of the camera module contacts an edge portion of the mounting housing;

pivoting at least one of the plurality of latching elements of the latching mechanism in the installation cutout in the mounting housing securing the camera module from falling; and

engaging the at least one of the plurality of latching elements with at least one of the plurality of pins of the front cover, preventing the at least one of the plurality of latching elements from pivoting out of the latching position.