REAR-VIEW CAMERA UNIT FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES

• US 20120070142A1
• Filed: 07/26/2011
• Published: 03/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Original Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
• Inventors: TREGNAGO, Roberto, DI GIUSTO, Nevio, COGOTTI, Francesca
• Granted Patent: US 8,342,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means
• 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: B60S 1/0848 Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle
• 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: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

An external rear-view camera unit for motor vehicles includes a camera and a support for such camera prearranged to be connected to a structure of a motor vehicle. The support includes at least one wing element, with a wing profile, having an end for connection to the structure of the motor vehicle and an opposite end portion bearing the body of the camera and ending with a winglet portion. A lower wing element and an upper wing element may be parallel and spaced from each other. The portion for supporting the body of the camera is in the form of a casing surrounding the body of said camera and having passages for conveying the air—that impacts said unit during the travel of the motor vehicle—around the body of said camera and at the front of the transparent element for protecting the camera lens.

Claims

1. An external rear-view camera unit for motor vehicles, comprising:

a camera, having a camera body and including a transparent element for protecting the camera lens, and a support for said camera, adapted to be connected to a structure of a motor vehicle, wherein said support comprises a casing surrounding the body of said camera and having passages for conveying the air that impacts said unit during the travel of the motor vehicle, the passages conveying the air around the body of said camera and at the front of the transparent element for protecting the camera lens,

said support comprising at least one wing element, with a wing profile, having one end for connection to the structure of the motor vehicle and an opposite end portion bearing the body of said camera, defining said casing and ending with a winglet portion, extending upwards, suitable to prevent the formation of air vortices at the end of said wing element, and said end portion bearing the camera.

2. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a lower wing element and an upper wing element, parallel and spaced from each other.

3. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 2, wherein each of said wing elements has a twisted configuration, wherein the abovementioned wing profile defined by the transverse section of the wing element is progressively rotated along the longitudinal extension of the wing element, at least over a portion thereof.

4. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 2, wherein said winglet is made up of an extension of the lower wing element.

5. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 4, wherein said portion for supporting the camera is connected to said upper wing element.

6. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 2, wherein both wing elements have the ends turned upwards defining respective winglets.

7. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 6, wherein the portion for supporting the camera is interposed between said wings.

8. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

9. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera is configured similar to a nacelle of a turboreactor, with a jacket surrounding the body of the camera and a front wall and a rear wall in which the abovementioned passages for conveying air are defined.

10. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 2, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

11. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 3, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

12. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 4, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

13. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 5, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

14. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 6, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

15. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 7, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera has one or more openings for discharging water.

16. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 2, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera is configured similar to a nacelle of a turboreactor, with a jacket surrounding the body of the camera and a front wall and a rear wall in which the abovementioned passages for conveying air are defined.

17. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 3, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera is configured similar to a nacelle of a turboreactor, with a jacket surrounding the body of the camera and a front wall and a rear wall in which the abovementioned passages for conveying air are defined.

18. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 4, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera is configured similar to a nacelle of a turboreactor, with a jacket surrounding the body of the camera and a front wall and a rear wall in which the abovementioned passages for conveying air are defined.

19. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 5, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera is configured similar to a nacelle of a turboreactor, with a jacket surrounding the body of the camera and a front wall and a rear wall in which the abovementioned passages for conveying air are defined.

20. External rear-view camera unit according to claim 6, wherein the casing defined by said portion for supporting the camera is configured similar to a nacelle of a turboreactor, with a jacket surrounding the body of the camera and a front wall and a rear wall in which the abovementioned passages for conveying air are defined.