Shielded camera monitoring of wheels from vehicle underside using reflectors
First Claim
1. An imaging system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a housing configured to attach to a fixed frame structure on an underside of the vehicle to form an enclosure with an open bottom;
a fixed camera mounted in the enclosure having a first field of view directed vertically downward through the open bottom;
a reflector;
a carrier mechanism supporting the reflector having a linear section and a rotary section, wherein the linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position which deploys the reflector through the open bottom, and wherein the rotary section rotates the reflector into an alignment with the fixed camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle to monitor surroundings of the vehicle while the fixed camera remains inside the enclosure; and
a controller coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectably deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An imaging system attaches to a frame on an underside of a vehicle to form an enclosure with an open bottom. A fixed camera is mounted in the enclosure having a first field of view directed through the open bottom. A reflector is supported by a carrier mechanism having a linear section and a rotary section. The linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position which deploys the reflector through the open bottom. The rotary section rotates the reflector into an alignment with the camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectably deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment.
15 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An imaging system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a housing configured to attach to a fixed frame structure on an underside of the vehicle to form an enclosure with an open bottom; a fixed camera mounted in the enclosure having a first field of view directed vertically downward through the open bottom; a reflector; a carrier mechanism supporting the reflector having a linear section and a rotary section, wherein the linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position which deploys the reflector through the open bottom, and wherein the rotary section rotates the reflector into an alignment with the fixed camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle to monitor surroundings of the vehicle while the fixed camera remains inside the enclosure; and a controller coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectably deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Vehicle apparatus comprising:
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a frame structure defining an underside of the vehicle; a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame structure; a housing attached to the frame structure forming an enclosure with an open bottom; a fixed camera mounted in the enclosure having a first field of view directed vertically downward through the open bottom; a reflector; a carrier mechanism supporting the reflector having a linear section and a rotary section, wherein the linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position which deploys the reflector through the open bottom, and wherein the rotary section rotates the reflector into an alignment with the fixed camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle toward at least one of the wheels to monitor surroundings of the vehicle while the fixed camera remains inside the enclosure; and a controller coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectably deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification