Off road vehicle vision enhancement system

• US 20110141281A1
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobility Solutions Innovation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Solutions and Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Neill, Thomas, Barefoot, Galen
• Granted Patent: US 8,497,907 B2
• 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 1/23 with a predetermined field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• 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 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

The disclosed Off-Road Vehicle Vision Enhancement System is for all terrain vehicles operating in extreme off road environments. When an all terrain vehicle is operating in areas where there are large obstacles to traverse the operator needs to be able to maneuver the vehicle over the obstacles with the utmost of care and precision. The operator needs to be able to see the precise placement of the wheels over the obstacles to achieve optimum ground clearance and avoid getting hung-up. The Off-Road Vision Enhancement System includes a retractable protective housing located under the vehicle containing cameras which communicate to the operator the precise relationship of his wheels traversing the obstacles. The retractable housing is designed for simple operation, maximum protection of the cameras and self cleaning of accumulated debris.

Claims

1. An Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle comprising:

an external protective housing with means to connect it to the under surface of the vehicle;

an internal camera housing retractably mounted within said external protective housing;

at least one camera located within the internal camera housing adjacent a window in said internal camera housing

an actuating means for moving the internal camera housing from a retracted position where it is protected within said external protective housing to an extended operational position where said cameras can view the relative position of the wheels of said vehicle and the terrain over which said vehicle is traversing;

protection means connected to said external protective housing to protect said internal camera housing from shocks, debris and heat; and

a display means located within said vehicle for the displaying images sent by said at least one camera, such that an operator of the vehicle can properly maneuver said vehicle so that the said at least one vehicle wheel is in a desired position.

2. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said at least one camera is a night vision camera.

3. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said actuating means includes a cable connected to said internal camera housing and to an operator actuated means inside said vehicle.

4. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said actuating means includes a spring located between said external protective housing and said internal camera housing that biases said internal camera housing to move from said protected position to said extended operational position.

5. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising:

said actuating means further includes a spring located between said external protective housing and said internal camera housing, surrounding said cable and biases said internal camera housing to move from said protected position to said extended operational position; and

said actuating means further includes a hand lever connected to said cable to pull said cable and retracting said internal camera housing.

6. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said protection means that forms a protected position includes doors on the lower end of said external protective housing that cover at least a portion of said internal camera housing in the retracted position and moveable to an open position when said internal camera housing is moved to the operational extended position.

7. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising:

said doors are spring biased to a closed position that protects said internal camera housing in its retracted position and biases said doors to slide against said internal camera housing to remove debris there from when the internal camera housing is retracting.

8. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said protection means comprises a resilient shock resistant, heat resistant material that further forms a guide for said internal camera housing.

9. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said protection means that forms a protected position for said internal camera housing is a resilient shock resistant, heat resistant material that has at least a portion thereof that that covers at a portion of said internal camera housing in the retracted position.

10. In an Off Road Vision Enhancement System for a multi-wheeled vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

said actuating mean is a powered actuator that is providing with an operational control in said vehicle.

11. A multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System comprising:

an external protective housing with means to connect it to an under surface of said multi-wheeled vehicle in a location to view at least one wheel and said under surface of said multi-wheeled vehicle;

an internal camera housing retractably mounted within said external protective housing;

at least one camera located within the internal camera housing adjacent a window in said internal camera housing;

an actuating means for moving the internal camera housing from a retracted position where it is protected within said external protective housing to an extended operational position where said cameras can view the relative position of at least one of the wheels of said multi-wheeled vehicle and the terrain over which said multi-wheeled vehicle is traversing;

protection means connected to said external protective housing to protect said internal camera housing from shocks, debris and heat; and

a display means located within said multi-wheeled vehicle for the displaying images sent by said at least one camera, such that an operator of the multi-wheeled vehicle can properly maneuver said vehicle so that the said at least one wheel is in a desired position.

12. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said at least one camera is a night vision camera.

13. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said actuating means includes a cable connected to said internal camera housing and to an operator actuated means inside said multi-wheeled vehicle.

14. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said actuating means includes a spring located between said external protective housing and said internal camera housing that biases said internal camera housing to move from said protected position to said extended operational position.

15. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 13 and further comprising:

said actuating means further includes a spring located between said external protective housing and said internal camera housing, surrounding said cable and biases said internal camera housing to move from said protected position to said extended operational position; and

said actuating means further includes a hand lever connected to said cable to pull said cable and retracting said internal camera housing.

16. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said protection means that forms a protected position includes doors on the lower end of said external protective housing that cover at least a portion of said internal camera housing in the retracted position and moveable to an open position when said internal camera housing is moved to the operational extended position.

17. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 16 and further comprising:

said doors are spring biased to a closed position that protects said internal camera housing in its retracted position and biases said doors to slide against said internal camera housing to remove debris there from when the internal camera housing is retracting.

18. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said protection means comprises a resilient shock resistant, heat resistant material that further forms a guide for said internal camera housing.

19. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said protection means that forms a protected position for said internal camera housing is a resilient shock resistant, heat resistant material that has at least a portion thereof that that covers at a portion of said internal camera housing in the retracted position.

20. In a multi-wheeled vehicle including an Off Road Vision Enhancement System as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

said actuating mean is a powered actuator that is providing with an operational control in said multi-wheeled vehicle.