Apparatus and method for restoring a camera mounting to a calibrated position
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle comprising:
- a first portion of a first material with a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain the camera in a calibrated position; and
a second portion of a second material coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion is a selectively weakened form so that the second portion deforms prior to the first portion in response to an impact, wherein the second material is capable of;
deforming upon an impact to the apparatus; and
returning the camera to the calibrated position upon exposure to an energy source.
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Abstract
Various examples of an apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle are disclosed. An apparatus comprises a first portion of a first material with a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle. The apparatus is configured to maintain the camera in a substantially calibrated position. A second portion of a second material is coupled to the first portion, wherein the second material is capable of deforming upon an impact to the apparatus and returning the apparatus to the calibrated position upon exposure to an energy source. In another example, the apparatus is constructed entirely of the second material.
25 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle comprising:
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a first portion of a first material with a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain the camera in a calibrated position; and a second portion of a second material coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion is a selectively weakened form so that the second portion deforms prior to the first portion in response to an impact, wherein the second material is capable of; deforming upon an impact to the apparatus; and returning the camera to the calibrated position upon exposure to an energy source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle comprising:
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a first portion of a first material with a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain the camera in a calibrated position; and a second portion of a second material coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion is coated and the coating visibly crazes in response to an impact;
wherein the second material is capable of;deforming upon the impact to the apparatus; and returning the camera to the calibrated position upon exposure to an energy source.
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7. An apparatus for mounting a camera on a vehicle comprising:
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a first portion of a first material with a first end configured for attaching to a camera and a second end configured for mounting to a vehicle, wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain the camera in a calibrated position; and a second portion of a second material coupled to the first portion, wherein the first portion includes a first feature that aligns with a second feature on the second portion;
wherein the first feature and second feature are not aligned in response to an impact wherein the second material is capable of;deforming upon the impact to the apparatus; and returning the camera to the calibrated position upon exposure to an energy source. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. An assembly for a camera mounting comprising
a camera; -
a bracket comprising; a first portion with a first end for fastening to the camera and a second end for mounting to a vehicle; a second portion in a predetermined form coupled to the first portion, wherein the second portion is a selectively weakened form so that the second portion deforms prior to the first portion in response to an impact;
wherein the second portion is capable of;deforming upon the impact to the apparatus; and returning to the predetermined form upon exposure to an energy source. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of configuring a camera assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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fastening a camera on a first end of a bracket; affixing a second end of the bracket to a vehicle;
wherein the bracket comprises a portion between the first end and the second end with a shape memory material in a predetermined form;calibrating the camera based on the fastened position of the camera; determining the camera is no longer in the calibrated position in response to the shape memory material no longer being in the predetermined form; and exposing the shape memory material to an energy source such that the shape memory material returns to the predetermined form. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification