Camera arrangement for a vehicle and method for installing a camera arrangement in a vehicle

• US 8,836,789 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Bhm, Gnther, Liepold, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Perungavoor, Sath V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US13/822,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20130182112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details

Abstract

A camera arrangement for a vehicle, with a camera unit constructed to be pivoted between an active position and an inactive position, and a chamber accommodating the camera unit, wherein in the inactive position a sealing cover that seals the chamber is arranged on the camera unit, with the camera unit being inaccessible from outside, and wherein in the active position the camera unit is pivoted out of the chamber for optically capturing a surrounding area and the camera unit seals the chamber. A method for installing the camera arrangement in a vehicle is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A camera arrangement for a vehicle, comprising:

a camera unit comprising a peripheral rim and constructed to be pivoted between an active position and an inactive position,

a chamber accommodating the camera unit, wherein in the inactive position the camera unit is housed inside the chamber and a sealing cover which seals the chamber is disposed on the camera unit and wherein the camera unit is inaccessible from outside, and wherein in the active position the camera unit is pivoted out of the chamber for optically capturing a surrounding area, with the peripheral rim providing a seal between the camera unit and the chamber in the active position of the camera unit.

2. The camera arrangement of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises an optical lens disposed between the rim and the sealing cover.

3. The camera arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a spindle drive for pivoting the camera unit between the active position and the inactive position.

4. The camera arrangement of claim 3, wherein the camera unit is pivoted about a pivot axis extending through the camera unit.

5. The camera arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a housing module in which the chamber is formed.

6. The camera arrangement of claim 5, wherein the housing module is attached on a lid or a door of the vehicle.

7. The camera arrangement of claim 5, wherein the housing module is constructed to receive an operating device for operating the lid or door.

8. The camera arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sealing cover is positively attached on the camera unit.

9. A method for installing a camera arrangement in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

arranging in a camera module a camera unit that can be pivoted between an active and an inactive position for image capture;

arranging in an operating module an operating device for operating a lid or a door of the vehicle;

inserting the operating module from outside into a body opening of the lid or door;

arranging the camera module on an inside the lid or door;

connecting the camera module and the operating module to a housing module; and

attaching a sealing cover on the camera unit,

wherein in the inactive position the camera unit is housed inside the camera module and a sealing cover which seals the camera module is disposed on the camera unit and wherein the camera unit is inaccessible from outside, and wherein in the active position the camera unit is pivoted out of the camera module for optically capturing a surrounding area and the camera unit seals the camera module.