Stereo camera arrangement in a motor vehicle

• US 7,111,996 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Seger, Ulrich, Apel, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US10/468,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20040208497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 348/148
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence

Abstract

A stereo camera system in a motor vehicle, in particular for classifying objects and determining distance. In order to ensure secure installation and precise positioning of the camera system, in particular fixing of its lateral position, the camera system is provided with at least two camera modules, and a mount, in which camera modules are installed at a specified lateral distance apart, the mount being cemented to the inside of the windshield.

Claims

1. A stereo camera system in a motor vehicle having a windshield, the stereo camera system comprising:

at least two camera modules; and

a mount in which the camera modules are situated at a preselected lateral distance apart, the mount being cemented to an inside of the windshield,

wherein the mount is one piece and has two mounting regions, each of which holds one of the camera modules and is rigidly connected to the other by a crosspiece, and wherein the front of the crosspiece serves as a cementing region for fastening to the inside of the windshield, and wherein contact surfaces of the mount are sealed off on the inside of the windshield by a permanently elastic seal.

2. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, wherein the stereo camera system is for classifying objects.

3. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, wherein the the two mounting regions are cemented to the inside of the windshield at a preselected lateral distance from the other.

4. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, wherein spaces are formed in front of lenses between the camera modules and the windshield.

5. The stereo camera system according to claim 4, wherein the mount is cemented on the inside of the windshield in cementing regions around the spaces in front of a lens.

6. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, wherein the camera modules are connected together by an assembly support that is situated separate from the mount.

7. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, wherein a material of the mount has a coefficient of thermal expansion that substantially corresponds to a coefficient of thermal expansion of the windshield.

8. The stereo camera system according to claim 7, wherein the material is a synthetic material.

9. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a cover affixed to the windshield and a roof section of the vehicle and surrounding a camera region in which the mount is provided including the camera modules.

10. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board for data capture and power supply of the camera modules, situated on a back of the camera modules.

11. The stereo camera system according to claim 10, further comprising a data line provided from one of (a) the camera modules and (b) the printed circuit board, to a control device mounted separately from the mount.

12. The stereo camera system according to claim 1, further comprising a snap-in mechanism for a fixed-position installation of the camera modules, situated in the mount.

13. The stereo camera system according to claim 12, wherein the mechanism is for the fixed-position installation of a lens region of the camera modules.

14. A stereo camera system in a motor vehicle having a windshield, the stereo camera system comprising:

at least two camera modules;

a mount in which the camera modules are situated at a preselected lateral distance apart, the mount being cemented to an inside of the windshield, wherein the mount is one piece and has two mounting regions, each of which holds one of the camera modules and is rigidly connected to the other by a crosspiece and wherein the front of the crosspiece serves as a cementing region for fastening to the inside of the windshield; and

means, provided in the mount, for equalizing pressure of free spaces with respect to a surrounded space.

15. The stereo camera system according to claim 14, wherein the surrounded space is a camera region.

16. The stereo camera system according to claim 14, wherein the means for equalizing pressure contains semi-permeable regions.

17. The stereo camera system according to claim 16, wherein the semi-permeable regions include an air-permeable and moisture-impermeable material.

18. The stereo camera system according to claim 17, wherein the material is a microfiber textile material.