Rear viewing device for an automobile

• US 20060256459A1
• Filed: 07/26/2004
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Simon, Laurent, Izabel, Vincent
• Application Number:
  US10/566,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20060256459A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/872
• 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 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/566 including wiping devices B60S1/563, B60S1/583 take precedence

Abstract

A rear vision device for a motor vehicle includes a video camera intended to be integrated fixedly at a rear of a motor vehicle, a flap mounted so as to be able to move between a closed position and an open position, in which the said flap is disposed respectively in front of and away from the a lens of the video camera, and drive means able to drive the flap in movement between the closed position and the open position. The flap includes pivoting means defining a pivot axis and allowing passage from one position to another. The flap also includes a curved part and articulation arms. The articulation arms are fixed to the curved part and the pivoting means.

Claims

1. A rear vision device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a video camera intended to be integrated fixedly at a rear of a motor vehicle,

a flap mounted so as to be able to move between a closed position and an open position in which said flap is disposed respectively in front of and away from a lens of the video camera, and

drive means able to drive the flap in movement between the closed position and the open position,

the flap comprising pivoting means defining a pivot axis and allowing passage from one position to another,

wherein the flap also comprises;

a curved part; and

articulation arms,

the articulation arms being fixed to the curved part and the pivoting means.

2. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is coaxial with respect to an axis corresponding to a curvature of a concave face of the curved part.

3. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the flap also comprises a means of transmitting a movement generated by the drive means, the transmission means being fixed to the flap.

4. The rear device according to claim 3, wherein the transmission means is provided on one of the articulation arms.

5. The rear vision device according to claim 3, wherein the transmission means is made in one piece with the flap.

6. The rear vision device according to claim 1, further comprising elastic return means able to drive the flap in movement from the open position to the closed position.

7. The rear vision device according to claim 6, wherein the flap comprises a stop fixed to the flap, cooperating by locking contact with the elastic return means.

8. The rear vision device according to claim 7, wherein the stop is made in one piece with the flap.

9. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means are able to immobilise the flap in at least one intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.

10. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means comprise:

an electric motor which is able to drive the flap in movement from the closed position to the open position,

elastic return means able to drive the flap in movement from the open position to the closed position,

and stop means able to stop the movement of the flap in the open position and in the closed position.

11. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means comprise an electric motor of a stepping type which is able to drive the flap in movement between the closed position and the open position and to stop the movement of the said flap in the open position and in the closed position.

12. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the flap is able to be driven manually in movement between the closed position and a storage position situated beyond the open position, and wherein the said rear vision device comprises locking means able to immobilise the flap in the storage position.

13. The rear vision device according to claim 1, further comprising locking means able to lock the flap in the closed position in the absence of use of the drive means.

14. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the flap is mounted so as to be able to move through a slot provided in a support, and wherein the said rear vision device comprises sealing means able to seal a space between the flap and the support.

15. The rear vision device according to claim 14, wherein the sealing means comprise a first seal at a distal end of the flap able to seal the space between the flap and the support when the said flap is in the open position, and a second seal at the proximal end of the flap which is able to seal the space between the flap and the support when the said flap is in the closed position.

16. The rear vision device according to claim 14, wherein sealing means comprise a third seal which is fixed to the support, which is positioned at the stop and which is able to cooperate by sliding contact with the flap.

17. The rear vision device according to claim 1, further comprising cleaning means able to wipe an external lens of the video camera during the movement of the flap between the closed position and the open position.

18. The rear vision device according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent protective screen able to protect the lens of the video camera, and cleaning means able to wipe the said protective screen when the flap moves between the closed position and the open position.

19. The rear vision device according to claim 18, wherein an external surface of the protective screen is substantially parallel to a movement path of the flap, and wherein the cleaning means comprise a scraper seal which is fixed to a distal end of the flap and which is able to cooperate by sliding contact with the said external surface of the protective screen.

20. The rear vision device according to claim 18, wherein an external surface of the protective screen is substantially parallel to a movement path of the flap and wherein the cleaning means consist of a projecting part of a distal seal of the flap, a projecting part which is able to cooperate with by sliding contact with the said external surface of the protective screen.

21. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the flap is mounted so as to be able to move with respect to a support on which the video camera is mounted fixedly.

22. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the flap is mounted so as to be able to move with respect to a protective cover for the drive means.

23. The rear vision device according to claim 1, wherein the flap is produced from transparent material.

24. The rear vision device according to claim 23, wherein the flap comprises prismatic means able to modify a field of vision of the video camera according to a relative position of the said flap with respect to the lens of the said video camera.

25. A motor vehicle, comprising at least one rear vision device according to claim 1.