Accessory module system for a vehicle window

• US 8,256,821 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Donnelly Engineering GmbH (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lawlor, Patrick, Dowling, Patrick, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutman, H
• Application Number:
  US11/721,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20090295181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,456 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 296/1.11
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/10 characterised by the type of camera system used

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with an accessory module system for a vehicle, the system comprising an accessory module assembly for location against an interior of a vehicle windscreen and which defines a plurality of sites for the modular location of one or more electronic accessories or the like, in particular for communicating with and/or through the vehicle windscreen, the accessory module system also including a cover assembly for location between the windscreen and a rigid frame assembly forming part of the accessory module assembly, the cover assembly being resiliently deformable in order to be capable of closely conforming to the shape of the windscreen.

Claims

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

an accessory module assembly comprising a frame assembly defining a plurality of sites for the modular location of accessories within the frame assembly;

wherein said frame assembly includes at least two mounting elements that are spaced apart from one another and configured for adhesively attaching to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield to mount said accessory module assembly in the vehicle;

wherein a first site of said plurality of sites is configured for the modular location of a camera and wherein said first site includes structure to support said camera so that said camera has at least a generally horizontal forward field of view through the vehicle windshield when said accessory module assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

wherein a second site of said plurality of sites is configured for the modular location of a rain sensor;

wherein said plurality of sites comprises at least a third site and wherein said at least a third site is configured for the modular location of at least one of (i) a sensor, (ii) a temperature sensor, (iii) a window temperature sensor, (iv) a compass sensor, (v) a closing velocity sensor assembly, (vi) a communications assembly (vii) a transmitter and (viii) a receiver, (ix) a light sensor assembly, (x) a humidity sensor assembly, and (xi) a display assembly; and

the accessory module assembly further comprising a cover assembly detachably connectable to the frame assembly.

2. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly is resiliently mounted to the frame assembly such that the cover assembly is urged, in use, against the vehicle window.

3. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which at least one of the sites comprises an adjustable site that is adjustable for adjusting the position of an accessory located within the site.

4. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which at least one of the sites comprises a connector assembly configured to provide the simultaneous mechanical and electrical connection of a corresponding accessory to the accessory module assembly.

5. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprising an electrical terminal having a single power or control input and a plurality of power or control outputs.

6. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which at least one of the sites comprises a cradle for receiving and supporting one of the accessories therein.

7. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprising a mirror assembly detachably connectable to the accessory module assembly.

8. An accessory module system according to claim 7 in which the mirror assembly is in electrical communication with the accessory module assembly.

9. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises at least one aperture to enable a corresponding accessory to communicate through the vehicle window.

10. An accessory module system according to claim 9 comprising a vehicle window comprising a fit having at least one aperture corresponding substantially in shape and orientation to the at least one aperture in the cover assembly.

11. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprising an attachment member for affixing to the vehicle window, the frame assembly comprising a corresponding mounting portion configured for releasable engagement with and about the attachment member.

12. An accessory module system according to claim 11 in which the attachment member comprises two or more discrete fixing elements.

13. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprising ventilation means to facilitate cooling of the accessory module assembly.

14. An accessory module system according to claim 13 in which the ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilation openings in the accessory module assembly.

15. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 75°

C.

16. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 85°

C.

17. An accessory module system according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 105°

C.

18. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of accessories.

19. An accessory module system according to claim 18 in which the accessories comprise one or more of a closing velocity sensor assembly, a rain sensor assembly, a window temperature sensor assembly, a camera assembly, a compass assembly, a communications assembly, a light sensor assembly, a humidity sensor assembly, and a display assembly.

20. An accessory module system according to claim 18 in which at least one of the accessories comprises a closing velocity sensor assembly and in which the closing velocity sensor assembly comprises a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor assembly.

21. An accessory module system for a vehicle windshield, said accessory module system comprising:

an accessory module assembly comprising a frame assembly for the connection of one or more accessories thereto;

wherein the frame assembly defines a plurality of sites for the modular location of the accessories within the frame assembly;

wherein said frame assembly includes at least two mounting elements that are spaced apart from one another and configured for adhesively attaching to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield to mount said accessory module assembly in the vehicle;

wherein a first site of said plurality of sites is configured for the modular location of a camera and wherein said first site includes structure to support said camera so that said camera has at least a generally horizontal forward field of view through the vehicle windshield when said accessory module assembly is mounted in the vehicle;

wherein a second site of said plurality of sites is configured for the modular location of a rain sensor;

wherein said plurality of sites comprises at least a third site and wherein said at least a third site is configured for the modular location of at least one of (i) a sensor, (ii) a temperature sensor, (iii) a window temperature sensor, (iv) a compass sensor, (v) a closing velocity sensor assembly, (vi) a communications assembly, (vii) a transmitter and (viii) a receiver, (ix) a light sensor assembly, (x) a humidity sensor assembly, and (xi) a display assembly; and

the accessory module assembly further comprising a resiliently deformable cover assembly detachably connectable to the frame assembly such that the cover assembly is capable of deforming to conform to the shape of the vehicle window.

22. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which at least one of the sites comprises a connector assembly configured to provide the simultaneous mechanical and electrical connection of a corresponding accessory to the accessory module assembly.

23. An accessory module system according to claim 21 comprising an electrical terminal having a single power or control input and a plurality of power or control outputs.

24. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which at least one of the sites comprises a cradle for receiving and supporting one of the accessories therein.

25. An accessory module system according to claim 21 comprising a mirror assembly detachably connectable to the accessory module assembly.

26. An accessory module system according to claim 25 in which the mirror assembly is in electrical communication with the accessory module assembly.

27. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which the cover assembly comprises at least one aperture to enable a corresponding accessory to communicate through the vehicle window.

28. An accessory module system according to claim 27 comprising a vehicle window comprising a frit having at least one aperture corresponding substantially in shape and orientation to the at least one aperture in the cover assembly.

29. An accessory module system according to claim 21 comprising an attachment member for affixing to the vehicle window, the frame assembly comprising a corresponding mounting portion configured for releasable engagement with and about the attachment member.

30. An accessory module system according to claim 29 in which the attachment member comprises two or more discrete fixing elements.

31. An accessory module system according to claim 21 comprising ventilation means to facilitate cooling of the accessory module assembly.

32. An accessory module system according to claim 31 in which the ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilation openings in the accessory module assembly.

33. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 75°

C.

34. An accessory module system according to claim 21 comprising a plurality of accessories.

35. An accessory module system according to claim 34 in which the accessories comprise one or more of a closing velocity sensor assembly, a rain sensor assembly, a window temperature sensor assembly, a camera assembly, a compass assembly, a communications assembly, a light sensor assembly, a humidity sensor assembly, and a display assembly.

36. An accessory module system according to claim 34 in which at least one of the accessories comprises a closing velocity sensor assembly and in which the closing velocity sensor assembly comprises a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor assembly.

37. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which at least one of the sites comprises an adjustable site that is adjustable for adjusting the position of an accessory located within the site.

38. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 85°

C.

39. An accessory module system according to claim 21 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 105°

C.