Automotive camera mounting apparatus

• US 9,344,611 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2012
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ohsumi, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): CUTLER, ALBERT H
• Application Number:
  US14/352,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20140247390A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

To provide an automotive camera mounting apparatus that has a simplified, lightweight configuration with a minimum increase in weight, is vibration-free during running, and can be steadily mounted on a vehicle body, an automotive camera mounting apparatus 10 for mounting on an inside of a windshield 3 of a vehicle 1 an automotive camera 6 that images a forward view of the vehicle 1 through the windshield 3 includes a taper plate 11 as a support plate disposed along the windshield 3. The taper plate 11 has a first fixing portion 12 on a first end thereof fixed to a front rail 2 disposed on a periphery of the windshield 3 and a second fixing portion 13 on a second end thereof fixed to the windshield 3 via a mirror base 4. The automotive camera 6 is supported by a stay 7 that has a fixing portion 8 fixedly disposed on a third fixing portion 14 formed at an intermediate portion of the taper plate 11.

Claims

1. An automotive camera mounting apparatus for mounting on an inside of a windshield of a vehicle an automotive camera that images a forward view of the vehicle through the windshield, the automotive camera mounting apparatus comprising:

a support plate disposed along the windshield, wherein

the support plate has a first end portion fixed to a front rail disposed on a periphery of the windshield, a second end portion fixed to the windshield, and an intermediate fixing portion holding the automotive camera,

the intermediate fixing portion is formed at an intermediate portion of the support plate,

the automotive camera is a stereo camera comprising a stay and two camera portions disposed on respective lateral end portions of the stay, and

an intermediate portion of the stay of the automotive camera is fixedly disposed on the intermediate fixing portion.

2. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automotive camera is supported by the stay fixed to the fixing portion of the support plate.

3. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the stay is formed into a long taper shape extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the support plate.

4. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the support plate is fixed via a bearing member fixed to the windshield.

5. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the bearing member has a bearing portion that accommodates any mounting error in the support plate.

6. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support plate has a groove portion formed therein, the groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the support plate.

7. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the support plate is fixed to a fixing portion of an inside rearview mirror of the vehicle.

8. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the support plate is bifurcated or trifurcated, or separated into four or more branches, and fixed to the front rail.

9. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the support plate is bifurcated or trifurcated, or separated into four or more branches, and fixed to the windshield.

10. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support plate includes a shielding portion that covers an upper portion of the automotive camera.

11. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support plate includes a cover portion that covers a lower portion of the automotive camera.

12. The automotive camera mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support plate has a vent port and a vent path.