REAR VIEW CAMERA MOUNTING ON A VEHICLE

• US 20100129070A1
• Filed: 11/21/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Randy, Balasundaramohan, Barugur S., Cat, Quan
• Application Number:
  US12/275,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20100129070A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04

Abstract

A vehicle camera system includes a vehicle rear end body structure. The vehicle rear end body structure includes a license plate receiving area and a lamp receiving portion proximal to the license plate receiving area. A lamp assembly is coupled to the lamp receiving portion. The lamp assembly includes a lamp that is configured and arranged to illuminate at least a portion of the license plate receiving area. A camera is coupled to the lamp assembly. The camera is configured and arranged to capture an image of an area proximal to the vehicle rear end body structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle camera system comprising:

a vehicle rear end body structure comprising;

a license plate receiving area; and

a lamp receiving portion proximal to the license plate receiving area;

a lamp assembly coupled to the lamp receiving portion, the lamp assembly including a lamp configured and arranged to illuminate at least a portion of the license plate receiving area; and

a camera coupled to the lamp assembly, the camera configured and arranged to capture an image of an area proximal to the vehicle rear end body structure.

2. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly further includes a lamp lens configured and arranged to cover the lamp and, permit transmission of light from the lamp to the license, plate receiving area.

3. The vehicle camera system of claim 2, wherein the camera is coupled to the lamp lens.

4. The vehicle camera system of claim 2, wherein the lamp lens defines an aperture, and wherein a distal end of the camera is substantially flush with the aperture.

5. The vehicle camera system of claim 2, wherein the lamp lens defines an aperture, and wherein a portion of the camera extends through the aperture.

6. The vehicle camera system of claim 2, wherein the lamp lens defines an inner surface, and wherein the camera is spaced inboard of the inner surface of the lamp lens.

7. The vehicle camera system of claim 2, wherein the lens defines an outer surface, and the camera is disposed on the outer surface of the lens.

8. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, further comprising a separator positioned between the lamp and the camera, the separator blocking a path of light from the lamp toward a lens of the camera.

9. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, further comprising a power source electrically coupled to both the lamp and the camera.

10. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, wherein the lamp receiving portion is spaced horizontal apart from of the license plate receiving area.

11. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display, and

wherein the camera is configured and arranged to provide the image to the display

12. The vehicle camera system of claim 11, wherein the camera provides the image to the display wirelessly.

13. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, wherein the lamp assembly further comprising a bracket supporting the lamp.

14. The vehicle camera system of claim 13, wherein the bracket defines a rear surface of the lamp assembly.

15. The vehicle camera system of claim 13, wherein the bracket has a shape corresponding to the lamp receiving portion.

16. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, further comprising

an electrical connection coupled to the lamp and camera, and

wherein the electrical connection passes through an aperture defined by the lamp receiving portion.

17. The vehicle camera system of claim 16, wherein the lamp assembly conceals the aperture defined by the lamp receiving portion when the lamp assembly is coupled to the lamp receiving portion.

18. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle rear end structure defines a portion of a trailer vehicle coupled to a lead vehicle.

19. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, wherein the camera is non-orthogonally oriented with respect to the license place receiving area.

20. The vehicle camera system of claim 1, wherein the camera is spaced apart from a lateral center of the vehicle rear end body structure.