Vehicle accessory system

• US 9,862,323 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, DeWard, Joshua L., Whitehead, Peter J., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAHAMAN, MOHAMMED S
• Application Number:
  US14/299,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20140340519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1246 with clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/108 using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield and an accessory module configured to detachably mount to the attachment member. The accessory module and attachment member are configured so that when the accessory module mounts to the attachment member, an electrical element of the accessory module is biased toward and against the inner surface of the windshield. The electrical element includes a camera and, with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the camera has a forward field of view through the windshield. The camera may be associated with at least one of (i) a headlamp control system, (ii) a lane departure warning system, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iv) a sign recognition system, (v) a night vision system, (vi) a pedestrian detection system and (vii) a pre-crash avoidance system.

Claims

1. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

an attachment member attached at a vehicle windshield;

an accessory module configured to detachably mount to said attachment member;

said accessory module and said attachment member configured so that when said accessory module mounts to said attachment member, an electrical element of said accessory module is biased toward and against a surface of the vehicle windshield so as to optically couple therewith;

wherein said electrical element comprises a camera and wherein said camera comprises a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield; and

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a headlamp control system, (ii) a lane departure warning system, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iv) a sign recognition system, (v) a night vision system, (vi) a pedestrian detection system and (vii) a pre-crash avoidance system.

2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, a principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is directed generally at or below horizontal.

3. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is configured to draw a surface of said accessory module into intimate contact with the surface of the vehicle windshield.

4. The accessory system of claim 3, wherein said attachment member comprises narrowing structure along which corresponding structure of said accessory module moves when said accessory modules mounts to said attachment member.

5. The accessory system of claim 4, wherein said attachment member comprises a rail.

6. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment.

7. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield.

8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said accessory module comprises a housing and wherein said housing comprises an opening and wherein said camera views through said opening.

9. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera views through an aperture in a black-out layer at the vehicle windshield.

10. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

an attachment member adhesively attached at a vehicle windshield;

an accessory module configured to detachably mount to said attachment member;

said accessory module and said attachment member configured so that when said accessory module mounts to said attachment member, an electrical element of said accessory module is biased toward and against a surface of the vehicle windshield so as to optically couple therewith;

wherein said electrical element comprises a camera and wherein said camera comprises an imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a headlamp control system, (ii) a lane departure warning system, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iv) a sign recognition system, (v) a night vision system, (vi) a pedestrian detection system and (vii) a pre-crash avoidance system; and

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera views through an aperture in a black-out layer at the vehicle windshield.

11. The accessory system of claim 10, wherein said imaging array sensor comprises a CMOS imaging array sensor.

12. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein said attachment member is configured to draw a surface of said accessory module into intimate contact with the surface of the vehicle windshield.

13. The accessory system of claim 12, wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment.

14. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, a principal axis of the forward field of view of said camera is directed generally at or below horizontal.

15. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

an attachment member attached at a vehicle windshield;

an accessory module configured to detachably mount to said attachment member;

said accessory module and said attachment member configured so that when said accessory module mounts to said attachment member, an electrical element of said accessory module is biased toward and against a surface of the vehicle windshield so as to optically couple therewith;

wherein said electrical element comprises a camera and wherein said camera comprises an imaging array sensor and a lens;

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a headlamp control system, (ii) a lane departure warning system, (iii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iv) a sign recognition system, (v) a night vision system, (vi) a pedestrian detection system and (vii) a pre-crash avoidance system; and

wherein said attachment member is configured to draw a surface of said accessory module into intimate contact with the surface of the vehicle windshield.

16. The accessory system of claim 15, wherein said attachment member is adhesively attached at the vehicle windshield.

17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera views through an aperture in a black-out layer at the vehicle windshield.

18. The accessory system of claim 17, wherein said camera is associated with a lane departure warning system.

19. The accessory system of claim 18, wherein said camera is associated with a headlamp control system.

20. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment.

21. An accessory system for a vehicle, said accessory system comprising:

an attachment member adhesively attached at a vehicle windshield;

an accessory module configured to detachably mount to said attachment member;

said accessory module and said attachment member configured so that when said accessory module mounts to said attachment member, an electrical element of said accessory module is biased toward and against a surface of the vehicle windshield so as to optically couple therewith;

wherein said electrical element comprises a camera;

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said camera is associated with at least one of (i) a lane departure warning system, (ii) an adaptive cruise control system, (iii) a sign recognition system and (iv) a pedestrian detection system;

wherein, with said accessory module mounted to said attachment member, said camera views through an aperture in a black-out layer at the vehicle windshield; and

wherein said accessory module mounts to said attachment member via snap attachment.

22. The accessory system of claim 21, wherein said attachment member is configured to draw a surface of said accessory module into intimate contact with the surface of the vehicle windshield.

23. The accessory system of claim 22, wherein said camera comprises a CMOS imaging array sensor and a lens, and wherein said camera is associated with a headlamp control system.