EXTERIOR COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE

• US 20120242833A1
• Filed: 03/20/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: YAMAGUCHI, Wataru, SHIBUTANI, Yukihide
• Application Number:
  US13/424,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20120242833A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• 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: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

An exterior component for a vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of surroundings of a vehicle, and a through-hole at which the camera is provided. The through-hole forms an airflow to flow through the through-hole in association with a driving of the vehicle. The camera is provided at a position where the airflow flows and where an image capturing range serving as a function of the camera is ensured.

Claims

1. An exterior component for a vehicle, comprising:

a camera capturing an image of surroundings of a vehicle; and

a through-hole at which the camera is provided;

the through-hole forming an airflow to flow through the through-hole in association with a driving of the vehicle,

the camera being provided at a position where the airflow flows and where an image capturing range serving as a function of the camera is ensured.

2. The exterior component according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole is formed at a lower side of the camera, the through-hole including a flow passage where the airflow flows.

3. The exterior component according to claim 1, wherein the camera is provided at an inner peripheral surface formed at an upper side of the through-hole in a height direction of the vehicle.

4. The exterior component according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole forms the airflow flowing through respective sides or either side of the camera in a width direction of the vehicle.

5. The exterior component according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes a lens and the lens is positioned at a peripheral edge of an air discharge port from which the airflow formed by the through-hole is discharged.