Dual camera fifth wheel system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A camera system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a first door mounted to open in a first direction;
a second door mounted to open in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction;
a first door opener coupled to the first door and operable to move the first door between an open position and a closed position;
a second door opener coupled to the second door and operable to move the second door between an open position and a closed position, the second door opener being operable in unison with the first door opener;
a first camera mounted to provide a view in the first direction when the first door is open; and
a second camera mounted to provide a view in the second direction when the second door is open.
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Abstract
A dual camera system for viewing a coupling of a hitch to a trailer, such as on a semi tractor truck, includes two video cameras. Two doors that open automatically by arms and linkages expose the video cameras when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. A split screen view is shown to the driver rearward toward the trailer and forward toward the hitch plate. The arms and linkages automatically close the doors after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse, such as after a delay that permits the driver to determine if the hitch latch is secure. The linkages are sliding linkages with a spring so that the doors can be opened manually for cleaning the lenses of the cameras.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A camera system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a first door mounted to open in a first direction; a second door mounted to open in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; a first door opener coupled to the first door and operable to move the first door between an open position and a closed position; a second door opener coupled to the second door and operable to move the second door between an open position and a closed position, the second door opener being operable in unison with the first door opener; a first camera mounted to provide a view in the first direction when the first door is open; and a second camera mounted to provide a view in the second direction when the second door is open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of displaying a vehicle hitch during coupling of the vehicle hitch to a trailer, comprising:
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receiving a signal indicating that a vehicle has been shifted into a reverse gear; opening first and second doors, the first and second doors being opened from a closed position enclosing first and second video cameras; activating the first and second video cameras, the first and second video cameras being directed to obtain video information of a coupling operation between the vehicle hitch and the trailer; and displaying a video signal from at least one of the first and second video cameras to a driver of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A dual camera apparatus for use on a semi tractor truck for displaying a fifth wheel hitch during coupling to a trailer, comprising:
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first and second video cameras directed to obtain video information in opposite directions; first and second doors pivotably mounted to move between a closed position enclosing the first and second video cameras and an open position exposing the first and second video cameras for video operation first and second arms and first and second linkages connected to respective ones of the first and second doors and operable to move the first and second doors between open and closed positions; first and second springs connected to respective ones of the first and second linkages to exert a spring force that is directed to close the respective first and second doors; and the first and second linkages being sliding linkages to permit manual opening of the first and second doors by overcoming the spring force of the respective first and second springs.
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Specification