Vehicle front camera module integrated with rearview mirror

• US 10,207,646 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2016
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Jaeheon
• Primary Examiner(s): Perungavoor, Sathyanaraya V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, Jr., Howard D
• Application Number:
  US15/018,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20160229346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/001 Constructional or mechanical details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Abstract

A vehicle front camera module integrated with a rearview mirror includes a windshield bracket module fixed to a central upper end of a windshield of a vehicle, a camera module fixed to the windshield bracket module and at which a pair of lenses for taking forward images of the vehicle are disposed to be laterally spaced apart from each other, and a rearview mirror coupled to the windshield bracket module through a supporter which is coupled to the windshield bracket module in front of the pair of lenses and extending downward so as not to interfere with respective angles of view of the pair of lenses. This arrangement enables the camera module to have a compact design with improved visibility for a safe driving experience.

Claims

1. A vehicle front camera module assembly, comprising:

a housing including a windshield bracket module configured to be attached to a central upper area of a windshield of a vehicle;

a camera module fixed to the windshield bracket module, the camera module including a pair of lenses laterally spaced apart from each other for viewing a forward image;

a rearview mirror;

a supporter connecting the rearview mirror to the housing, the supporter being fixed at an upper end thereof to the windshield bracket module;

an integral cover coupled to the windshield bracket module to conceal the camera module and the upper end of the supporter from a vehicle interior; and

a cover member detachably coupled to the integral cover for covering a connection between the supporter and the rearview mirror,

wherein the supporter and the rearview mirror do not interfere with respective angles of view of the pair of lenses.

2. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supporter is connected to the housing at a point located forwardly of the pair of lenses.

3. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of light shield members laterally spaced apart from each other and disposed in front of the pair of lenses to define angles of view of the pair of lenses, respectively, while blocking introduction of light from outside of the angles of view,

wherein the supporter extends between the pair of light shield members.

4. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 3, wherein the supporter is connected to the windshield bracket module at a point located forwardly of the pair of lenses and extending downward from the windshield bracket module.

5. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 3, wherein the windshield bracket module comprises a windshield bracket, and

wherein the supporter connected to the rearview mirror includes an end portion fixed to the windshield bracket.

6. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 5, wherein the end portion of the supporter is disposed behind front ends of the pair of light shield members.

7. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 6, wherein the integral cover coupled to the windshield bracket module to conceal the camera module and the end portion of the supporter from a vehicle interior.

8. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 7, wherein the cover member is detachably coupled to the integral cover to permit connection of the supporter to the windshield bracket.

9. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 3, wherein the windshield bracket module comprises a light shield bracket to which the pair of light shield members are fixed, and

wherein the supporter connected to the rearview mirror includes an end portion fixed to the light shield bracket.

10. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 9, wherein the end portion of the supporter is disposed behind front ends of the pair of light shield members.

11. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 10, wherein the integral cover is coupled to the windshield bracket module to conceal the camera module and the end portion of the supporter from a vehicle interior.

12. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 11, wherein the cover member is detachably coupled to the integral cover to permit connection of the supporter to the light shield bracket.

13. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rearview mirror comprises a display panel for displaying an image captured by the camera module.

14. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 13, wherein the rearview mirror is coupled to a lower end of the supporter to permit adjustment of a reflection angle of the rearview mirror, and

wherein the display panel is supplied with power through a wire passing through the supporter and connected to the display panel.

15. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 1,

wherein the supporter connected to the rearview mirror includes an end portion fixed to the integral cover.

16. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 15, further comprising a ball joint for coupling the supporter to a lower portion of the integral cover.

17. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 15, wherein the rearview mirror is foldably provided at a lower surface of the integral cover.

18. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 17, wherein the integral cover comprises a reception member formed at the lower surface thereof at which the rearview mirror is seated when the rearview mirror is folded.

19. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 15, wherein the rearview mirror is disposed behind the integral cover.

20. The vehicle front camera module assembly according to claim 15, wherein the rearview mirror is coupled to the integral cover in such a manner as to allow adjustment of a reflection angle of the rearview mirror by user manipulation.