Vehicle accessory system

• US 8,749,633 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, DeWard, Joshua L., Whitehead, Peter J., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dastouri, Mehrdad
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAHAMAN, MOHAMMED S
• Application Number:
  US13/964,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20130314538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1246 with clocks
• 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 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• 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 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/108 using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, an accessory module configured to mount to the attachment member and an accessory disposed at least partially in the accessory module. The accessory includes a camera having a lens. The accessory module is detachably mounted to the attachment member. With the camera disposed in the accessory module and with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield. With the camera disposed in the accessory module and with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the lens of the camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield. A resilient element is provided to cushion the accessory module when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member.

Claims

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

an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, wherein said attachment member comprises a mirror mounting button;

an accessory module configured to mount to said attachment member;

an accessory disposed at least partially in said accessory module;

said accessory comprising a camera, said camera having a lens;

wherein said accessory module is detachably mounted to said attachment member;

wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield;

wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said lens of said camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein a resilient element is provided to cushion said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment member;

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a rain sensing system, (ii) a headlamp control system, (iii) a lane departure warning system, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system, (v) a sign recognition system, (vi) a night vision system, (vii) a pedestrian detection system and (viii) a pre-crash avoidance system;

wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment;

wherein said accessory module comprises a housing and wherein said housing comprises an opening and wherein said camera views through said opening; and

wherein said resilient element reduces vibration of said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment element.

2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, a principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is directed generally at or below horizontal.

3. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said resilient element is at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield.

4. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said resilient element comprises a resilient strip.

5. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said resilient element comprises at least one of a soft material, an elastomeric material and a rubber material.

6. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said resilient element at least partially adapts to the form of the interior surface of the vehicle windshield.

7. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield.

8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said resilient element is disposed between said accessory module and the interior surface of a vehicle windshield.

9. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment member comprises a rain sensor.

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

an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, wherein said attachment member comprises a mirror mounting button;

an accessory module configured to mount to said attachment member;

an accessory disposed at least partially in said accessory module;

said accessory comprising a camera, said camera having a lens;

wherein said accessory module is detachably mounted to said attachment member;

wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said lens of said camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein a resilient element is provided to cushion said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment member;

wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield;

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, a principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is directed generally at or below horizontal;

wherein said resilient element is disposed between said accessory module and the interior surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a rain sensing system, (ii) a headlamp control system, (iii) a lane departure warning system, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system, (v) a sign recognition system, (vi) a night vision system, (vii) a pedestrian detection system and (viii) a pre-crash avoidance system;

wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment;

wherein said accessory module comprises a housing and wherein said housing comprises an opening and wherein said camera views through said opening;

wherein said resilient element comprises at least one of a soft material, an elastomeric material and a thermoplastic rubber material; and

wherein said resilient element reduces vibration of said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment element.

11. The accessory system of claim 10, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield.

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

an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, wherein said attachment member comprises a mirror mounting button;

an accessory module configured to mount to said attachment member;

an accessory disposed at least partially in said accessory module;

said accessory comprising a camera, said camera having a lens;

wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield;

wherein, with said camera disposed in said accessory module and with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said lens of said camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein a resilient element is provided to cushion said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment member;

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a rain sensing system, (ii) a headlamp control system, (iii) a lane departure warning system, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system, (v) a sign recognition system, (vi) a night vision system, (vii) a pedestrian detection system and (viii) a pre-crash avoidance system;

wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment;

wherein said accessory module comprises a housing and wherein said housing comprises an opening and wherein said camera views through said opening; and

wherein said resilient element reduces vibration of said accessory module when said accessory module is mounted to said attachment element.

13. The accessory system of claim 12, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield and wherein said resilient element comprises at least one of a soft material, an elastomeric material and a rubber material, and wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, a principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is directed generally at or below horizontal.