ACCESSORY MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20160100084A1
• Filed: 12/16/2015
• Published: 04/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, O'Brien, Frank, Bingle, Robert L., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,637,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5037 the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• 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 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 : with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/29 : for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 : providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 : of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 : for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 : for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 : Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 : with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 : with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 : Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 : Rear-view mirrors
• 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 2011/0084 : with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 : around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0282 : for the use of several passengers, e.g. simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 : Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 : Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01566 : Devices for warning or indicating mode of inhibition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 : using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 : using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 : using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 : combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/406 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 : in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 : for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 : for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 : characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 : including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 : the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 : comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 : comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 : Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 : characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 : Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment element bonded to an in-cabin windshield surface at a first windshield location and an attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface at a second windshield location. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror support that has a mirror mount configured to mount the mirror assembly to the attachment element. A module is configured to be received by and be supported by the attachment member attached at the windshield. With the module received by and supported by the attachment member at the windshield, a camera of the module views through the windshield and is part of a driver assistance system of the vehicle. With the module received by and supported by the attachment member at the windshield, the mirror mount can be mounted to and demounted from the attachment element without demounting the module from the attachment member.

Claims

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

an attachment element bonded by an adhesive to an in-cabin windshield surface at a first windshield location of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said accessory system;

an attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield at a second windshield location that is separate and spaced from the first windshield location where said attachment element is located;

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head and a mirror support;

wherein said mirror head comprises a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing;

wherein said mirror support comprises a mirror mount that is configured to mount said interior rearview mirror assembly to said attachment element;

a module configured to be received by and be supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module comprises a forward facing camera;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises (i) an image sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 60 dB;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said forward facing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises part of a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said mirror mount can be mounted to said attachment element and can be demounted from said attachment element without demounting said module from said attachment member;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said module can be removed for service or replacement;

wherein a light absorbing layer disposed at the vehicle windshield at least partially masks the presence of said attachment member from view from outside the equipped vehicle viewing through the vehicle windshield; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said module accommodates at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of (a) a rain sensor, (b) a light sensor, (c) a tire pressure monitoring system receiver, (d) an antenna, (e) an antenna for an entry system, (f) a component of an electronic toll collection system, (g) an antenna for a global positioning system, (h) a component of a telematic system, (i) a speaker, (j) a microphone, (k) an illumination source, (l) a garage door opener, (m) a compass sensor, (n) a user actuatable input and (o) a display.

3. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said forward facing camera provides input for a camera-based “

black box”

recorder system.

4. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein a shadeband is disposed at the vehicle windshield at least proximate to where said attachment member and said attachment element are attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield.

5. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said light absorbing layer disposed at the vehicle windshield at least partially masks the presence of said module from view from outside the equipped vehicle viewing through the vehicle windshield.

6. The accessory system of claim 1, comprising a housing that at least substantially hides the presence of said module from view viewing from the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle.

7. The accessory system of claim 6, wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member, an uppermost portion of said housing is disposed above said attachment member.

8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior rearview video mirror assembly comprising a transflective electrochromic mirror reflective element and a video display screen and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a double-ball prismatic interior rearview mirror assembly.

9. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached by an adhesive at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield.

10. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said module comprises electrical circuitry associated with said forward facing camera and wherein said electrical circuitry connects with a communication bus of the equipped vehicle.

11. The accessory system of claim 10, wherein said communication bus comprises a CAN bus.

12. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said image sensor comprises a multi-pixel photosensor array having at least 250,920 pixels.

13. The accessory system of claim 12, wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 80 dB.

14. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein said camera has a dark current less than about 0.4 nA/sq. cm.

15. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein said camera has a dark current less than about 0.2 nA/sq. cm.

16. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said camera has a signal to noise ratio greater than about 40 dB.

17. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said camera has a signal to noise ratio greater than about 50 dB.

18. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

19. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said driver assistance system comprises an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle and a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

20. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a metal foil and (ii) a metallized sheet or film to reduce EMI/RF emissions, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, said plurality of light emitting diodes emitting white light when actuated that backlight a video screen of said interior rearview mirror assembly that serves as a video screen for a rear backup camera of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly functions as part of a wireless communication telematic system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein wiring or cabling required for operation of said video screen passes through a support arm and least one ball joint of said interior rearview mirror assembly mirror, and wherein indicia overlay video images captured by said rear backup camera as displayed by said video screen and wherein said indicia include an indication of a distance to an object, said indication comprising an electronically generated graphic display.

21. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein power requirement for said forward facing camera is less than about 500 mW.

22. The accessory system of claim 21, wherein power requirement for said forward facing camera is less than about 350 mW.

23. The accessory system of claim 22, wherein power requirement for said forward facing camera is less than about 250 mW.

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

an attachment element bonded by an adhesive to an in-cabin windshield surface at a first windshield location of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said accessory system;

an attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield at a second windshield location that is separate and spaced from the first windshield location where said attachment element is located;

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head and a mirror support;

wherein said mirror head comprises a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing;

wherein said mirror support comprises a mirror mount that is configured to mount said interior rearview mirror assembly to said attachment element;

a module configured to be received by and be supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module comprises a forward facing camera;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises (i) an image sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 60 dB;

wherein said image sensor comprises a multi-pixel photosensor array having at least 250,920 pixels;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said forward facing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises part of a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said mirror mount can be mounted to said attachment element and can be demounted from said attachment element without demounting said module from said attachment member;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said module can be removed for service or replacement; and

wherein a light absorbing layer disposed at the vehicle windshield at least partially masks the presence of said attachment member from view from outside the equipped vehicle viewing through the vehicle windshield.

25. The accessory system of claim 24, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached by an adhesive at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield and wherein said module comprises electrical circuitry associated with said forward facing camera and wherein said electrical circuitry connects with a communication bus of the equipped vehicle.

26. The accessory system of claim 25, wherein said camera has a signal to noise ratio greater than about 40 dB.

27. The accessory system of claim 26, wherein said driver assistance system comprises an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

28. The accessory system of claim 26, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

29. The accessory system of claim 26, wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 80 dB.

30. The accessory system of claim 29, wherein power requirement for said forward facing camera is less than about 500 mW.

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

an attachment element bonded by an adhesive to an in-cabin windshield surface at a first windshield location of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said accessory system;

an attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield at a second windshield location that is separate and spaced from the first windshield location where said attachment element is located;

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head and a mirror support;

wherein said mirror head comprises a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing;

wherein said mirror support comprises a mirror mount that is configured to mount said interior rearview mirror assembly to said attachment element;

a module configured to be received by and be supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module comprises a forward facing camera;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises (i) an image sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein power requirement for said forward facing camera is less than about 500 mW;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said forward facing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises part of a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said mirror mount can be mounted to said attachment element and can be demounted from said attachment element without demounting said module from said attachment member;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said module can be removed for service or replacement; and

wherein a light absorbing layer disposed at the vehicle windshield at least partially masks the presence of said attachment member from view from outside the equipped vehicle viewing through the vehicle windshield.

32. The accessory system of claim 31, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached by an adhesive at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield and wherein said module comprises electrical circuitry associated with said forward facing camera.

33. The accessory system of claim 32, wherein said camera has a signal to noise ratio greater than about 40 dB and wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 60 dB.

34. The accessory system of claim 33, wherein said driver assistance system comprises a collision avoidance system of the equipped vehicle.

35. The accessory system of claim 33, wherein said driver assistance system comprises an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

36. The accessory system of claim 35, wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 80 dB.

37. The accessory system of claim 36, wherein said image sensor comprises a multi-pixel photosensor array having at least 250,920 pixels.

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

an attachment element bonded by an adhesive to an in-cabin windshield surface at a first windshield location of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with said accessory system;

an attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield at a second windshield location that is separate and spaced from the first windshield location where said attachment element is located;

wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached by an adhesive at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield;

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head and a mirror support;

wherein said mirror head comprises a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing;

wherein said mirror support comprises a mirror mount that is configured to mount said interior rearview mirror assembly to said attachment element;

a module configured to be received by and be supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield;

wherein said module comprises a forward facing camera;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises (i) an image sensor and (ii) a lens;

wherein power requirement for said forward facing camera is less than about 350 mW;

wherein said forward facing camera has a dynamic range greater than about 80 dB;

wherein said camera has a signal to noise ratio greater than about 40 dB;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said forward facing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said forward facing camera comprises part of a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said mirror mount can be mounted to said attachment element and can be demounted from said attachment element without demounting said module from said attachment member;

wherein, with said module received by and supported by said attachment member attached at the in-cabin windshield surface of the vehicle windshield, said module can be removed for service or replacement; and

wherein a light absorbing layer disposed at the vehicle windshield at least partially masks the presence of said attachment member from view from outside the equipped vehicle viewing through the vehicle windshield.

39. The accessory system of claim 38, wherein said module comprises electrical circuitry associated with said forward facing camera and wherein said image sensor comprises a multi-pixel photosensor array having at least 250,920 pixels.

40. The accessory system of claim 39, wherein said driver assistance system comprises an automatic headlamp control system of the equipped vehicle.

41. The accessory system of claim 40, comprising a housing that at least substantially hides the presence of said module from view viewing from the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle.

42. The accessory system of claim 41, wherein said module comprises electrical circuitry associated with said forward facing camera and wherein said electrical circuitry connects with a communication bus of the equipped vehicle.