Apparatus for monitoring rear of vehicle

• US 20030202096A1
• Filed: 07/09/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Yong-Tae
• Application Number:
  US10/192,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20030202096A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for monitoring the rear of a vehicle capable of entirely eliminating a blind spot. The apparatus includes a camera for taking a picture of a rear of the vehicle, a liquid crystal display for receiving and displaying the image, and a control section for controlling the camera and the liquid crystal display. The camera is installed in an auxiliary turn indicator mounted on left and right front fenders of the vehicle. The turn indicator includes a partition dividing a chamber into one chamber for accommodating a turn signaling lamp and the other chamber for accommodating the camera.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a rear of a vehicle, the apparatus including a camera for taking a picture toward the rear of the vehicle, a liquid crystal display for receiving and displaying the image, and a control section for controlling the camera and the liquid crystal display, the apparatus further comprising an auxiliary turn indicator, mounted on left and right front fenders of the vehicle, for accommodating the camera.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turn indicator includes a partition dividing a chamber into one chamber for accommodating a turn signaling lamp and the other chamber for accommodating the camera.

3. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle rear view, comprising:

first and second camera mounted in an auxiliary turn indicator, one each on a left and a right side fender of the vehicle;

an electronic control unit configured to receive image signals from said cameras; and

a display mounted on a vehicle dash panel displaying images received from electronic control unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said turn indicator housing defines first and second chambers separated by a wall, with the camera disposed in one said chamber and a turn signal lamp disposed in another said chamber.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a memory communicating with said electronic control unit for storing image data.

6. An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle rearview, comprising a housing divided into first and second chambers with a camera mount disposed in one chamber and a turn indicating lamp socket disposed in the other chamber, wherein the housing is configured and dimensioned to be mounted on a vehicle forward side fender.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a camera mounted on said mount and a lamp received in said socket.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said camera mount configured to provide a camera mounted thereon with a field of view in the range of approximately 25°

to 30°

relative to the vehicle chassis.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the camera mount includes an angle adjusting motor to adjust the viewing angle of a camera mounted thereon.