Device with a camera unit

• US 9,762,777 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Dadeppo, Lynn, Kamal, Ehab, Bauer, Steve, Newkirk, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Nam
• Application Number:
  US14/260,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20140320654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

The invention relates to a device with a camera unit, serving to take pictures of the outside of a motor vehicle, and a lid element movable via a drive between a closed position, in which the lid element covers an opening of the device and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the opening, wherein in the closed position of the lid element the camera unit is inaccessible from the outside behind the lid element and in the open position of the lid element pictures can be taken. According to the invention provision is made for the lid element to be an actuating element for the camera unit in order to move the camera unit between an idle position and an operating position.

Claims

1. A device with a camera unit used for taking pictures of the outside of a motor vehicle, and a lid element movable via a drive between a closed position, in which the lid element covers an opening of the device, and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the opening;

wherein in the closed position of the lid element, the camera unit is inaccessible from the outside behind the lid element and in the open position of the lid element pictures can be taken;

wherein the lid element is an actuating element for the camera unit for moving the camera unit between an idle position and an operating position; and

wherein the lid element comprises an actuating lever that interacts with the camera unit in such a way that the camera unit is pivotable between the idle position and the operating position;

wherein the lid element comprises a drive lever drivable by the drive for the moving lid element between the closed position and the open position;

wherein the drive comprises a gear unit which serves to at least one of drive and support the lid element, in particular the drive lever;

wherein the drive lever is pivotably mounted on the lid element about a bearing axis, and that in particular the drive lever is pivotably arranged on the gear unit about a driving axis; and

wherein at least one of the drive lever and the actuating lever are either substantially L-shaped or substantially V-shaped.

2. the device according to claim 1, wherein in particular the gear unit is implemented as a tooth wheel gear unit, wherein in particular the gear unit is self-locking.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating lever interacts with the camera unit in such a way that an angle between the camera unit in the idle position and the camera unit in the operating position is about 90°

.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit is arranged on the lid element, in particular on the actuating lever and that in particular the actuating lever and the camera unit together form a single unit.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises a camera, wherein the actuating lever comprises a slide for receiving the camera of the camera unit for exchangeably receiving the camera of the camera unit and in that in particular the camera unit comprises an adapter for the camera of the camera unit.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein a mounting member is provided in the form of a first housing shell on which the drive and/or a gear unit is/are arranged.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the actuating lever is pivotably mounted on the lid element about an actuating axis, and in that in particular the actuating lever is pivotably mounted on the mounting member about a fastening axis.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting member comprises mounting means which serve to attach the device to the motor vehicle, in particular to a vehicle body or a structural part, wherein in particular the mounting member can be attached from the outside to the motor vehicle, in particular to the vehicle body or the structural part.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting member comprises a cover in the form of a second housing shell which essentially covers and/or seals the camera unit and/or the drive and/or the gear unit.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the opening comprises a collar element against which the lid element is supported when the lid element is in the closed position, wherein in particular, when the lid element is supported, the collar element has a cushioning effect and/or serves as a seal.

12. A method for actuating a device according to claim 1.

11. A method for actuating a device with a camera unit serving to take pictures of the outside of a motor vehicle, and with a lid element movable via a drive between a closed position, in which the lid element covers an opening of the device, and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the opening, wherein in the closed position of the lid element the camera unit is inaccessible from the outside behind the lid element and in the open position of the lid element pictures can be taken;

wherein the drive drives the lid element;

wherein the lid element moves the camera unit, in particular exclusively, between an idle position and an operating position;

wherein the lid element comprises an actuating lever which interacts with the camera unit in such a way that the camera unit is pivotable between the idle position and the operating position;

wherein the lid element comprises a drive lever drivable by the drive for the moving lid element between the closed position and the open position;

wherein the drive comprises a gear unit which serves to at least one of drive and support the lid element, in particular the drive lever;

wherein the drive lever is pivotably mounted on the lid element about a bearing axis, and that in particular the drive lever is pivotably arranged on the gear unit about a driving axis; and

wherein at least one of the drive lever and the actuating lever are either substantially L-shaped or substantially V-shaped.