VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH WINDSHIELD MOUNTED CAMERA

• US 20160297377A1
• Filed: 06/13/2016
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Salomonsson, Ove J., Van Dan Elzen, Christopher L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,630,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• 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 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• 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: B60R 2300/00 Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8086 for vehicle path indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/00 Filters or other obturators specially adapted for photographic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/749 by influencing the pick-up tube voltages

Abstract

A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a windshield of the vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle. The camera includes a lens and is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board via a flexible electrical connector. The flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of the camera to differ from a mounting angle of the circuit board. As disposed at the windshield, the circuit board is angled relative to the principal axis of the field of view of the camera.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises a lens;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to said circuitry via a flexible electrical connector;

wherein said flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of said camera to differ from a mounting angle of said circuit board; and

wherein as disposed at the windshield, said circuit board is angled relative to a principal axis of the field of view of said camera.

2. The vision system of claim 1, comprising an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera.

3. The vision system of claim 2, wherein said image processor comprises part of a driver assistance system of the vehicle.

4. The vision system of claim 3, wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iv) an object detection system of the vehicle, (v) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle and (vi) a distance determining system operable to determine a distance to a leading vehicle.

5. The vision system of claim 1, wherein the principal axis of the field of view of said camera is generally horizontal.

6. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is generally parallel to the inner surface of the windshield local at where said camera is disposed.

7. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is disposed at the windshield rearward of said lens of said camera.

8. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is disposed at the windshield higher up than said lens of said camera.

9. The vision system of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is disposed under a roof liner of the equipped vehicle.

10. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises a lens;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to said circuitry via a flexible electrical connector;

an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera;

wherein said image processor comprises part of a driver assistance system of the vehicle;

wherein, at least in part responsive to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said camera, distance to a leading vehicle is determined;

wherein said flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of said camera to differ from a mounting angle of said circuit board; and

wherein as disposed at the windshield, said circuit board is angled relative to a principal axis of the field of view of said camera.

11. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iv) an object detection system of the vehicle and (v) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle.

12. The vision system of claim 11, wherein the principal axis of the field of view of said camera is generally horizontal.

13. The vision system of claim 12, wherein said circuit board is generally parallel to the inner surface of the windshield local at where said camera is disposed.

14. The vision system of claim 10, wherein said circuit board is disposed at the windshield higher up than said lens of said camera.

15. A vision system for a vehicle, said vision system comprising:

a camera disposed at a windshield of a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle and through the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein said camera comprises a lens;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to circuitry established at a circuit board;

wherein said camera is electrically connected to said circuitry via a flexible electrical connector;

an image processor operable to process image data captured by said camera;

wherein said image processor comprises part of a driver assistance system of the vehicle;

wherein, at least in part responsive to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said camera, distance to a leading vehicle is determined;

wherein said flexible electrical connector flexes to allow a viewing angle of said camera to differ from a mounting angle of said circuit board; and

wherein said driver assistance system comprises at least one of (i) a vehicle headlamp control system of the vehicle, (ii) a lane change assistance system of the vehicle, (iii) a lane departure warning system of the vehicle, (iv) an object detection system of the vehicle and (v) a traffic sign recognition system of the vehicle.

16. The vision system of claim 15, wherein a principal axis of the field of view of said camera is generally horizontal.

17. The vision system of claim 16, wherein as disposed at the windshield, said circuit board is angled relative to the principal axis of the field of view of said camera.

18. The vision system of claim 15, wherein said circuit board is disposed at the windshield higher up than said lens of said camera.

19. The vision system of claim 15, wherein said circuit board is generally parallel to the inner surface of the windshield local at where said camera is disposed.

20. The vision system of claim 15, wherein said circuit board is disposed at the windshield rearward of said lens of said camera.