Back-vision system for vehicles

• US 5,760,828 A
• Filed: 04/09/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IDESA ACCESORIOS, S.A.
• Original Assignee: IDESA ACCESORIOS, S.A.
• Inventors: Cortes, Luis Leon Lamata
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Time in patent office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/148, 348/151, 348/118, 348/117, 340/435, 340/436, 340/901, 359/871
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements house mirrors and spies A47G1/00; antiglare equipment, e.g. polarising, for windscreens or windows B60J3/00; visual aids for tractors B62D49/0614; devices per se G02B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

Back-vision system for vehicles which comprises a microcamera (6) with its corresponding control unit (13) and power-supply source, a housing for the microcamera (6), formed by an external casing (1) and an internal box (2) joined to the external casing (1) and in communication with it, into which the microcamera (6) is introduced, the objective of which microcamera is focused towards the outside through an opening in the external casing (1), and a monitor (21) on which the images picked up by the microcamera (6) can be seen. By placing a microcamera (6) in its corresponding housing in a suitable manner on one of the sides of the vehicle and, optionally one microcamera and its housing on each side, improved back-vision is obtained.

Claims

1. A back-vision system for a vehicle comprising:

a rear facing microcamera for obtaining optical images external to the vehicle and converting said optical images to image signals;

a housing assembly for said microcamera including an external casing adapted for positioning at a first surface of said vehicle and having an opening through which said microcamera can obtain the optical images, an internal portion adapted for positioning within the vehicle and connected to said external casing to form a chamber within said housing assembly, a block of insulative material securely supporting said microcamera at an angle in said chamber for viewing through said opening, said block filling said chamber to hold said microcamera in fixed position in said chamber, said microcamera having an objective lens facing said opening in the external casing, a pane of high strength, tempered glass in said opening in said external casing to cover said objective lens of said microcamera, said external casing including a protective extension extending beyond said pane of glass, means for supplying heat, within said extension adjacent to said pane of glass, said means for supplying heat within said extension comprising an inlet into said extension and a tube connected to said inlet to supply heated air thereto from a heating system of the vehicle,

a control unit connected to said microcamera for controlling operation thereof, said control unit being connected to said microcamera to supply power thereto and to receive image signals therefrom;

a separate housing for said control unit adapted for positioning within said vehicle adjacent to said housing assembly for said microcamera, and a further block of insulative material filling said separate housing to hold said control unit in fixed position therein,

a power supply unit for supplying power to said control unit, and

a monitor for receiving signals from said control unit to display images of back vision produced by said microcamera.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal portion of said housing assembly has an open bottom and said housing assembly further comprises a cover detachably connected to said internal portion to close said open bottom.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external casing has an aerodynamic shape.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitor is supported within a cabin of the vehicle to face a driver thereof.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power supply unit is actuated upon insertion of a key into an ignition opening in the vehicle.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second said microcamera,

a second said housing assembly,

a second said control unit and associated housing, and

a second said monitor to provide a separate image produced by said second microcamera.