ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20140009672A1
• Filed: 09/09/2013
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeWard, Joshua L., Brown, Steven L., Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,710,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/02 related to ambient conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield and an accessory module. The windshield has a mounting element attached at an inner surface of the windshield, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory module accommodates a camera having a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at the accessory module separate from the lens. The CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that is exterior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system and an inner surface that is interior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield is at a windshield angle relative to vertical when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

an accessory module adapted for mounting to and demounting from said mounting element;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at said accessory module separate from said lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (v) a traffic lane control system of the equipped vehicle, (vi) a lane change assist system of the equipped vehicle and (vii) a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle.

2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector, and wherein said electrical connector comprises a plurality of conducting members, and wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module, and wherein said circuitry is associated with said CMOS photosensor array, and wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least one of (i) an electrical source of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a power source of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a control of the equipped vehicle.

3. The accessory system of claim 2, wherein said electrical connector connects said circuitry with at least one of (i) a communication bus of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a CAN communication bus of the equipped vehicle.

4. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said mounting element is adhesively held at said windshield and is positioned at or near an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated.

5. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises a carrier member that holds an accessory and wherein said accessory module comprises a casing that at least partially encases said accessory.

6. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module and said mounting element are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said lens is facing towards said windshield of the equipped vehicle and provides a desired field of view forwardly of the equipped vehicle.

7. The accessory system of claim 6, wherein said accessory module comprises a first holding portion and a second holding portion and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is held at said first holding portion and wherein said lens is held at said second holding portion.

8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein (i) said CMOS photosensor array is manufactured by a first manufacturer, (ii) said lens is manufactured by a second manufacturer and (iii) said accessory module is manufactured by a third manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer is different from said second manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said second manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer supplies said CMOS photosensor array to said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer supplies said lens to said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer uses said CMOS photosensor array and said lens during manufacture of said accessory module.

9. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein, when accommodated in said accessory module, said CMOS photosensor array is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said lens, and wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one (i) an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a lane change assist system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (v) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle and (vi) a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

10. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises a holding portion configured to hold said lens, and wherein said lens has a forward field of view through said windshield when said accessory module is mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, and wherein, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said accessory module is positioned behind an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated.

11. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises a holding portion configured to hold said lens, and wherein said lens has a forward field of view through said windshield when said accessory module is mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield.

12. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein a mirror mounting button is attached at said inner surface of said windshield and wherein an interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to said mirror mounting button, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element, at least two photosensors, a microprocessor and associated circuitry all commonly established on a common semiconductor element, and wherein said microprocessor is operable to detect a voltage applied to said electro-optic reflective element and to adjust the voltage applied to said electro-optic reflective element via controlling a current gating element, said current gating element controlling an amount of current shunted to ground to control the voltage applied to said electro-optic reflective element, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes an inductive power receiver that receives power from an inductive power transmitter located remotely from said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly includes a data transceiver that wirelessly communicates with a data transceiver located remotely from said interior rearview mirror assembly.

13. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that is exterior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system and an inner surface that is interior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield is at a windshield angle relative to vertical when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

an accessory module adapted for mounting to and demounting from said mounting element;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector and wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least one of (i) an electrical source of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a power source of the equipped vehicle and (iii) a control of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module and wherein said circuitry is associated with said CMOS photosensor array; and

wherein said electrical connector connects said circuitry with at least one of (i) a communication bus of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a communication bus of the equipped vehicle.

14. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein said accessory module comprises a holding portion configured to hold said lens, and wherein said lens has a forward field of view through said windshield when said accessory module is mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, and wherein, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said accessory module is positioned behind an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated, and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at said accessory module separate from said lens.

15. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein said accessory module and said mounting element are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said lens is facing towards said windshield of the equipped vehicle and provides a desired field of view forwardly of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said accessory module comprises a first holding portion and a second holding portion and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is held at said first holding portion and wherein said lens is held at said second holding portion, and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board.

16. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein said accessory module comprises a carrier member that holds an accessory, and wherein said accessory module comprises a casing that at least partially encases said accessory, and wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system, (v) a traffic lane control system, (vi) a lane change assist system and (vii) a blind spot detection system.

17. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that is exterior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system and an inner surface that is interior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield is at a windshield angle relative to vertical when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

an accessory module adapted for mounting to and demounting from said mounting element;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said accessory module comprises an electrical connector and wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least one of (i) an electrical source of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a power source of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a control of the equipped vehicle and (iv) a communication bus of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module;

wherein (i) said CMOS photosensor array is manufactured by a first manufacturer, (ii) said lens is manufactured by a second manufacturer and (iii) said accessory module is manufactured by a third manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer is different from said second manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said second manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer supplies said CMOS photosensor array to said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer supplies said lens to said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer uses said CMOS photosensor array and said lens during manufacture of said accessory module;

wherein said accessory module and said mounting element are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said lens is facing towards said windshield of the equipped vehicle and provides a desired field of view forwardly of the equipped vehicle for a driver assistance system; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (v) a traffic lane control system of the equipped vehicle, (vi) a lane change assist system of the equipped vehicle and (vii) a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle.

18. The accessory system of claim 17, wherein said electrical connector comprises a plurality of conducting members, and wherein said circuitry is associated with said CMOS photosensor array, and wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to a communication bus of the equipped vehicle.

19. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein said mounting element is positioned at or near an interior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated, and wherein said communication bus comprises a CAN communication bus.

20. The accessory system of claim 19, wherein said accessory module comprises a carrier member that holds an accessory, and wherein said accessory module comprises a casing that at least partially encases said accessory, and wherein said accessory module comprises a first holding portion and a second holding portion, and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is held at said first holding portion, and wherein said lens is held at said second holding portion.

21. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

a windshield, said windshield having an outer surface that is exterior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to a vehicle equipped with said accessory system and an inner surface that is interior of the vehicle when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield is at a windshield angle relative to vertical when said windshield is mounted to the equipped vehicle;

wherein said windshield has a mounting element attached at said inner surface;

wherein said mounting element is adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of said accessory module therefrom;

an accessory module adapted for mounting to and demounting from said mounting element;

said accessory module accommodating a camera comprising a CMOS photosensor array and a lens;

wherein said CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at said accessory module separate from said lens;

wherein said accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to said mounting element attached at said windshield, said lens has a field of view through said windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a traffic sign recognition system of the equipped vehicle, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a traffic lane control system of the equipped vehicle and (v) a lane change assist system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said electrical connector electrically connects with circuitry disposed in said accessory module;

wherein said circuitry is associated with said CMOS photosensor array;

wherein said electrical connector is configured for electrical connection to at least one of (i) an electrical source of the equipped vehicle, (ii) a power source of the equipped vehicle, (iii) a control of the equipped vehicle, (iv) a communication bus of the equipped vehicle and (v) a CAN communication bus of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said mounting element is attached at said windshield at an area of said windshield that is wiped by a windshield wiper of the equipped vehicle when the windshield wiper is activated.

22. The accessory system of claim 21, wherein said accessory module and said mounting element are configured so that, with said accessory module mounted to said mounting element, said lens is facing towards said windshield of the equipped vehicle and provides a desired field of view forwardly of the equipped vehicle.

23. The accessory system of claim 22, wherein said accessory module comprises a first holding portion and a second holding portion and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is held at said first holding portion and wherein said lens is held at said second holding portion, and wherein said CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board, and wherein said electrical connector comprises a plurality of conducting members, and wherein said mounting element is adhesively held at said windshield, and wherein (i) said CMOS photosensor array is manufactured by a first manufacturer, (ii) said lens is manufactured by a second manufacturer and (iii) said accessory module is manufactured by a third manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer is different from said second manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer is different from said first manufacturer and from said second manufacturer, and wherein said first manufacturer supplies said CMOS photosensor array to said third manufacturer, and wherein said second manufacturer supplies said lens to said third manufacturer, and wherein said third manufacturer uses said CMOS photosensor array and said lens during manufacture of said accessory module.