Accessory mounting system for a vehicle

• US 9,090,213 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lawlor, Patrick, Dowling, Patrick, Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutman, H
• Application Number:
  US13/572,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.11, 701/301
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

An accessory mounting system for a vehicle includes spaced apart fixing elements adhesively attached at a surface of a vehicle windshield. A frame has receiving portions that are spaced apart from one another in a manner that corresponds with the spacing apart of the fixing elements, and each of the receiving portions is configured to receive a respective and corresponding one of the fixing elements. Elongated portions of the fixing elements are at least partially received in respective and corresponding ones of the receiving portions of the frame and cooperate with the receiving portions to attach the frame at the windshield. The frame includes structure for receiving an accessory thereat. The accessory includes a camera and, when the accessory is received at the structure of the frame, the line of vision of the camera passes through an aperture existing in the frame.

Claims

1. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a vehicle windshield;

a plurality of individual fixing elements adhesively attached at a surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein said fixing elements are spaced apart from one another at said surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein each of said fixing elements comprises a base portion that is directly adhesively attached by an adhesive at said surface of said vehicle windshield and an elongated portion that extends from said base portion in a direction away from said vehicle windshield;

a frame comprising a plurality of individual receiving portions;

wherein said receiving portions are spaced apart from one another in a manner that corresponds with the spacing apart of said fixing elements;

wherein each one of said receiving portions is configured to receive the elongated portion of a respective and corresponding one of said fixing elements;

wherein said elongated portions of said fixing elements are at least partially received in respective and corresponding ones of said receiving portions of said frame and cooperate with said receiving portions to attach said frame at said vehicle windshield;

wherein said frame comprises structure for receiving an accessory thereat;

said accessory comprising a camera;

wherein, when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame, the line of vision of said camera passes through an aperture existing in said frame; and

wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, the line of vision of said camera passes through said vehicle windshield.

2. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein the base portion of an individual fixing element has an attaching surface area that is larger than the cross sectional area of the elongated portion that extends from the base portion of that individual fixing element.

3. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein each of said individual fixing elements comprises a rail.

4. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of individual fixing elements comprises at least three individual fixing elements and wherein said plurality of individual receiving portions comprises at least three individual receiving portions.

5. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, comprising a mirror assembly detachably attachable at said frame.

6. The accessory mounting system of claim 5, wherein said mirror assembly is in electrical communication with at least one (i) said frame when attached thereto and (ii) an accessory accommodated by said frame when attached thereto.

7. The accessory mounting system of claim 5, wherein said frame includes a mirror mounting button and wherein said mirror assembly detachably attaches to said mirror mounting button.

8. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a pivot element.

9. The accessory mounting system of claim 8, wherein a mirror assembly pivots about said pivot element.

10. The accessory mounting system of claim 9, wherein said pivot element comprises a ball pivot element.

11. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a first portion and a second portion.

12. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said first portion comprises a cover portion.

13. The accessory mounting system of claim 12, wherein said cover portion comprises a resiliently deformable material conformable to a shape of said vehicle windshield.

14. The accessory mounting system of claim 12, wherein at least one of (a) said cover portion comprises a resiliently deformable material conformable to a shape of said vehicle windshield, (b) said cover portion is configured to substantially reduce ingress of contaminants between said frame and said vehicle windshield, (c) said cover portion provides an aesthetically pleasing fit to said vehicle windshield when said frame is attached via said fixing elements at said vehicle windshield and (d) said cover portion shields from view at least some components supported by said frame.

15. The accessory mounting system of claim 12, wherein said cover portion is urged, in use, against said surface of said vehicle windshield.

16. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said second portion comprises said structure for receiving said accessory.

17. The accessory mounting system of claim 16, wherein said second portion comprises metal.

18. The accessory mounting system of claim 16, wherein said second portion comprise at least one of (i) metal, (ii) a metal alloy, (iii) a die casting, (iv) die cast aluminum and (v) die cast aluminum alloy.

19. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said first portion comprises a resiliently deformable material.

20. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said first portion is detachably attachable to said second portion.

21. The accessory mounting system of claim 20, wherein said first portion is conformable to a shape of said vehicle windshield.

22. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said aperture in said frame passes through said first portion and said second portion.

23. The accessory mounting system of claim 22, wherein said vehicle windshield comprises a light absorbing layer having a light transmissive aperture that generally corresponds with said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield.

24. The accessory mounting system of claim 23, wherein the line of vision of said camera passes through both said aperture in said frame and said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame.

25. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle windshield comprises a light absorbing layer having a light transmissive aperture that generally corresponds with said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield.

26. The accessory mounting system of claim 25, wherein the line of vision of said camera passes through both said aperture in said frame and said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame.

27. The accessory mounting system of claim 25, wherein said light absorbing layer comprises a frit layer.

28. The accessory mounting system of claim 25, wherein said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer corresponds in position and shape to said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield via said fixing elements and when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame.

29. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a plurality of structures for receiving a plurality of accessories thereat.

30. The accessory mounting system of claim 29, wherein one of said plurality of structures at said frame is configured for modular location of said accessory.

31. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, wherein another of said plurality of structures at said frame is configured for modular location of another accessory selected from the group consisting of (i) a rain sensor, (ii) a temperature sensor, (iii) a closing velocity sensor, (iv) a compass, (v) a sensor and (vi) a window temperature sensor.

32. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a plurality of sites for modular location of accessories at said frame.

33. The accessory mounting system of claim 32, wherein a first site of said plurality of sites is configured for modular location at said frame of said accessory, and wherein said first site includes structure to support said accessory so that said camera has a desired forward line of vision through said aperture in said frame and through said vehicle windshield when said accessory is received at said first site at said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield.

34. The accessory mounting system of claim 33, wherein structure of said accessory is configured to attach at a corresponding structure at said first site at said frame.

35. The accessory mounting system of claim 34, wherein said structure of said accessory comprises at least one tab and wherein said corresponding structure at said first site at said frame comprises at least one abutment.

36. The accessory mounting system of claim 35, wherein a tab of said accessory secures to an abutment at said frame.

37. The accessory mounting system of claim 33, wherein a second site of said plurality of sites at said frame is configured for modular location of a rain sensor and wherein another aperture through said frame is located at said second site, and wherein said second site at said frame includes structure to support said rain sensor so that said rain sensor is properly aligned at said another aperture when said rain sensor is received at said second site at said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield.

38. The accessory mounting system of claim 37, wherein said plurality of sites comprises at least a third site and wherein said at least a third site is configured for 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, (viii) a receiver, (ix) a light sensor, (x) a humidity sensor assembly and (xi) a display assembly.

39. The accessory mounting system of claim 32, wherein at least one of said plurality of sites comprises a connector configured to provide at least one of mechanical and electrical connection for a corresponding accessory received at said site at said frame.

40. The accessory mounting system of claim 32, wherein at least one of said plurality of sites comprises structure for adjusting a position of an accessory disposed at said site.

41. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said accessory mounting system is separate from an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle equipped with said accessory mounting system.

42. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a part of a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

43. The accessory mounting system of claim 42, wherein said camera provides a feed for at least one of (a) a visual warning, (b) an audio warning and (c) a braking system.

44. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager.

45. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, including an outer casing that covers said frame and said accessory received thereat.

46. The accessory mounting system of claim 45, wherein wiring carrying at least one of power and a control input passes through said outer casing.

47. The accessory mounting system of claim 45, wherein said outer casing is provided in two parts.

48. The accessory mounting system of claim 47, wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said parts can be joined together to cover said frame and said accessory received thereat.

49. The accessory mounting system of claim 47, wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said joined-together parts can be separated to uncover said frame and said accessory received thereat.

50. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, including ventilation means.

51. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises structures for receiving a plurality of accessories thereat, and wherein one of said accessories comprises said accessory.

52. The accessory mounting system of claim 51, wherein another of said accessories comprises a rain sensor.

53. The accessory mounting system of claim 52, wherein said rain sensor is received at a cradle established at said frame.

54. The accessory mounting system of claim 51, wherein, in a vehicle equipped with said accessory mounting system, no more than two wiring inputs are utilized to control said plurality of accessories.

55. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said accessory comprising said camera is provided with a plug and wherein, when said accessory comprising said camera is received at said structure of said frame, said plug connects with another plug in order to provide at least one of power and control to said camera.

56. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a vehicle windshield;

a plurality of individual fixing elements adhesively attached at a surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein said fixing elements are spaced apart from one another at said surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein each of said fixing elements comprises a base portion that is directly adhesively attached by an adhesive at said surface of said vehicle windshield and an elongated portion that extends from said base portion in a direction away from said vehicle windshield;

a frame comprising a plurality of individual receiving portions;

wherein said receiving portions are spaced apart from one another in a manner that corresponds with the spacing apart of said fixing elements;

wherein each one of said receiving portions is configured to receive the elongated portion of a respective and corresponding one of said fixing elements;

wherein said elongated portions of said fixing elements are at least partially received in respective and corresponding ones of said receiving portions of said frame and cooperate with said receiving portions to attach said frame at said vehicle windshield;

wherein the base portion of an individual fixing element has an attaching surface area that is larger than the cross sectional area of the elongated portion that extends from the base portion of that individual fixing element;

wherein said frame comprises structure for receiving an accessory thereat;

said accessory comprising a camera;

wherein, when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame, the line of vision of said camera passes through an aperture existing in said frame;

wherein said vehicle windshield comprises a light absorbing layer having a light transmissive aperture generally corresponding with said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield; and

wherein the line of vision of said camera passes through both said aperture in said frame and said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer of said vehicle windshield when said accessory comprising said camera is received at said structure of said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield.

57. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer corresponds in position and shape to said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield via said fixing elements and when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame.

58. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said light absorbing layer comprises a frit layer.

59. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said plurality of individual fixing elements comprises at least three individual fixing elements and wherein said plurality of individual receiving portions comprises at least three individual receiving portions.

60. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said camera comprises a part of a collision avoidance system of a vehicle equipped with said accessory mounting system.

61. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said camera provides a feed for at least one of (a) a visual warning, (b) an audio warning and (c) a braking system.

62. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said camera comprises a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager.

63. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, including an outer casing that covers said frame and said accessory received thereat.

64. The accessory mounting system of claim 63, wherein wiring carrying at least one of power and a control input passes through said outer casing.

65. The accessory mounting system of claim 64, wherein said outer casing is provided in two parts and wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said parts can be joined together to cover said frame and said accessory received thereat, and wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said joined-together parts can be separated to uncover said frame and said accessory received thereat.

66. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said frame comprises structure for receiving at least one other accessory thereat.

67. The accessory mounting system of claim 66, wherein said other accessory comprises a rain sensor and wherein another aperture through said frame is located at where said rain sensor is received at said frame.

68. The accessory mounting system of claim 66, wherein said other accessory is selected from the group consisting of (i) a temperature sensor, (ii) a closing velocity sensor, (iii) a compass, (iv) a sensor and (v) a window temperature sensor.

69. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a vehicle windshield;

a plurality of fixing elements directly adhesively attached by an adhesive at a surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein said fixing elements are spaced apart from one another at said surface of said vehicle windshield;

a frame comprising a plurality of individual receiving portions;

wherein said receiving portions are spaced apart from one another in a manner that corresponds with the spacing apart of said fixing elements;

wherein each one of said receiving portions is configured to at least partially receive a respective and corresponding one of said fixing elements to attach said frame at said vehicle windshield;

wherein said frame comprises structure for receiving an accessory;

wherein said accessory comprises a camera and wherein said structure is configured for receiving said camera at said frame;

wherein said camera comprises a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager;

wherein, when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame, said camera has its line of vision through an aperture existing in said frame;

wherein said vehicle windshield comprises a light absorbing layer having a light transmissive aperture generally corresponding with said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield; and

wherein the line of vision of said camera passes through both said aperture in said frame and said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer of said vehicle windshield when said accessory comprising said camera is received at said structure of said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield.

70. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, wherein said frame comprises further structure to receive another accessory and wherein said another accessory is selected from the group consisting of (i) a rain sensor, (ii) a temperature sensor, (iii) a closing velocity sensor, (iv) a compass, (v) a sensor and (vi) a window temperature sensor.

71. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, wherein said fixing elements comprise individual fixing elements, each comprising a base portion that is directly adhesively attached by the adhesive at said surface of said vehicle windshield and an elongated portion that extends from said base portion in a direction away from said vehicle windshield and wherein said elongated portions support said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield.

72. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, wherein said light absorbing layer comprises a frit layer.

73. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, wherein said camera comprises a part of a collision avoidance system of a vehicle equipped with said accessory mounting system.

74. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, wherein said camera provides a feed for at least one of (a) a visual warning, (b) an audio warning and (c) a braking system.

75. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, including an outer casing that covers said frame and said accessory received thereat.

76. The accessory mounting system of claim 75, wherein wiring carrying at least one of power and a control input passes through said outer casing.

77. The accessory mounting system of claim 75, wherein said outer casing is provided in two parts and wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said parts can be joined together to cover said frame and said accessory received thereat, and wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said joined-together parts can be separated to uncover said frame and said accessory received thereat.

78. The accessory mounting system of claim 69, wherein said frame comprises structure for receiving a rain sensor and wherein another aperture through said frame is located at where said rain sensor is received at said frame.

79. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a vehicle windshield;

a plurality of individual fixing elements adhesively attached at a surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein said fixing elements are spaced apart from one another at said surface of said vehicle windshield;

wherein each of said fixing elements comprises a base portion that is directly adhesively attached by an adhesive at said surface of said vehicle windshield and an elongated portion that extends from said base portion in a direction away from said vehicle windshield;

a frame comprising a plurality of individual receiving portions;

wherein said receiving portions are spaced apart from one another in a manner that corresponds with the spacing apart of said fixing elements;

wherein each one of said receiving portions is configured to receive the elongated portion of a respective and corresponding one of said fixing elements;

wherein said elongated portions of said fixing elements are at least partially received in respective and corresponding ones of said receiving portions of said frame and cooperate with said receiving portions to attach said frame at said vehicle windshield;

said frame comprising structure for receiving an accessory;

wherein said accessory comprises a camera and wherein said structure is configured for receiving said accessory at said frame;

wherein said camera comprises a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager;

wherein, when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame, said camera has its line of vision through an aperture existing in said frame;

wherein said vehicle windshield comprises a light absorbing layer having a light transmissive aperture generally corresponding with said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield;

wherein the line of vision of said camera passes through both said aperture in said frame and said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer of said vehicle windshield when said accessory is received at said structure of said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield; and

an outer casing that covers said frame and said accessory received thereat.

80. The accessory mounting system of claim 79, wherein said outer casing is provided in two parts and wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said parts can be joined together to cover said frame and said accessory received thereat.

81. The accessory mounting system of claim 80, wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said joined-together parts can be separated to uncover said frame and said accessory received thereat.

82. The accessory mounting system of claim 79, wherein wiring carrying at least one of power and a control input passes through said outer casing.

83. The accessory mounting system of claim 79, wherein said frame comprises further structure to receive another accessory and wherein said another accessory is selected from the group consisting of (i) a rain sensor, (ii) a temperature sensor, (iii) a closing velocity sensor, (iv) a compass, (v) a sensor and (vi) a window temperature sensor.

84. The accessory mounting system of claim 79, wherein said camera comprises a part of a collision avoidance system of a vehicle equipped with said accessory mounting system.

85. The accessory mounting system of claim 79, wherein said camera provides a feed for at least one of (a) a visual warning, (b) an audio warning and (c) a braking system.

86. The accessory mounting system of claim 79, wherein said frame comprises structure for receiving a rain sensor and wherein another aperture through said frame is located at where said rain sensor is received at said frame.

87. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a vehicle windshield;

a plurality of fixing elements directly adhesively attached by an adhesive at a surface of said vehicle windshield;

a frame comprising a plurality of individual receiving portions spaced apart from one another in a manner that corresponds with the spacing apart of said fixing elements;

wherein each one of said receiving portions is configured to at least partially receive a respective and corresponding one of said fixing elements to attach said frame at said vehicle windshield;

said frame comprising a site configured for modular location of an accessory at said frame;

wherein said accessory comprises a camera;

wherein said camera comprises a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager;

wherein, when said accessory is located at said site at said frame, said camera has its line of vision through an aperture existing in said frame;

wherein said vehicle windshield comprises a light absorbing layer having a light transmissive aperture generally corresponding with said aperture in said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield;

wherein the line of vision of said camera passes through both said aperture in said frame and said light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer of said vehicle windshield when said accessory is located at said site at said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield; and

wherein at least one of (i) said camera comprises a part of a collision avoidance system of a vehicle equipped with said accessory mounting system and (ii) said camera provides a feed for at least one of (a) a visual warning, (b) an audio warning and (c) a braking system.

88. The accessory mounting system of claim 87, wherein said frame comprises a second site configured for modular location of a rain sensor and wherein another aperture through said frame is located at said second site.

89. The accessory mounting system of claim 88, wherein said second site at said frame includes structure to support said rain sensor so that said rain sensor is properly aligned at said another aperture when said rain sensor is received at said second site at said frame, and wherein said light absorbing layer of said vehicle windshield comprises another light transmissive aperture generally corresponding with said another aperture of said frame when said frame is attached at said vehicle windshield, and wherein said rain sensor senses through said another light transmissive aperture in said light absorbing layer of said vehicle windshield when said rain sensor is located at said second site at said frame and with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield.

90. The accessory mounting system of claim 89, wherein said frame comprises a third site and wherein said third site is configured for 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, (viii) a receiver, (ix) a light sensor, (x) a humidity sensor assembly and (xi) a display assembly.

91. The accessory mounting system of claim 87, wherein said site comprises a connector configured to provide at least one of mechanical and electrical connection for said accessory.

92. The accessory mounting system of claim 87, comprising an outer casing that covers said frame and said accessory located at said site at said frame.

93. The accessory mounting system of claim 92, wherein said outer casing is provided in two parts and wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said parts can be joined together to cover said frame and said accessory located thereat.

94. The accessory mounting system of claim 93, wherein, with said frame attached at said vehicle windshield, said joined-together parts can be separated to uncover said frame and said accessory located thereat.

95. The accessory mounting system of claim 87, wherein said frame comprises a metal portion.

96. The accessory mounting system of claim 87, wherein said frame comprises at least one of (i) metal, (ii) a metal alloy, (iii) a die casting, (iv) die cast aluminum and (v) die cast aluminum alloy.