Camera surveillance system wing position controller
By using an electric motor-driven housing and current monitoring technology in a vehicle camera monitoring system, and utilizing current spikes and ripples to confirm the position of the sensor wings, the complexity and high cost of existing designs are solved, achieving simplified design and reliable position control.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle camera monitoring systems have complex and costly sensor wing position controller designs, requiring additional sensors or switches to confirm wing position, which increases design complexity and cost.
The housing is driven by an electric motor. Combined with stoppers and current monitoring technology, it determines whether the sensor wings have reached the deployment position by detecting current spikes and ripples. The position is confirmed by matching the slope or waveform of the current spike with a known waveform and counting the current ripples, which reduces the reliance on additional sensors or switches.
The design was simplified, costs were reduced, and the system's reliability and durability were improved by ensuring accurate positioning of the sensor wings through precise current monitoring.
Smart Images
Figure CN122207199A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Technology
[0001] Camera-based monitoring systems in vehicles are becoming an increasingly common replacement for traditional side and rearview mirrors. One or more cameras mounted on the vehicle provide video to one or more displays visible to the driver. For example, side-view cameras are typically mounted at the end of a sensor wing that is pivotally mounted to a base fixed to the vehicle. The wing can pivot between a retracted, original position near the vehicle and an extended, usable position away from the vehicle. An electric motor can drive the wing between the original and usable positions. Sensors or switches can be used to confirm with the controller whether the wing is in the original or usable position; however, additional sensors or switches increase design complexity and cost. Summary of the Invention
[0002] A vehicle sensor wing position controller according to an example disclosed herein includes a housing rotatable relative to a base between a retracted position and an extended position. An electric motor is coupled to the housing to selectively move the housing between the retracted and extended positions. At least one stop prevents the housing from rotating beyond the extended position. During extension, the vehicle sensor wing position controller monitors the current supplied to the electric motor and determines, based on the current, whether the sensor wing has reached the extended position.
[0003] In one example, a current spike is generated when at least one stop is encountered. To distinguish the at least one stop from another obstacle (such as a wall), the ramp or waveform of the current spike is compared with a known ramp or waveform. If sufficient matches exist, the deployment position is determined to have been reached. If insufficient matches exist, it is determined that the sensor wing has encountered an obstacle. A warning can be generated.
[0004] In another example, the current ripple generated during motor operation is counted. If the number of counted current ripples reaches a threshold, it is determined that the sensor wings have reached the deployed position. If the sensor wings stop before the threshold number of current ripples has been counted (e.g., a current spike), it is determined that the sensor wings have encountered an obstacle. A warning can be generated.
[0005] In other examples, current spike and current ripple techniques can be used in combination. For instance, when a current spike is detected, the motor stops. If the waveform of the current spike matches a known waveform perfectly, the counted number of current ripples is compared to a threshold. Only when the waveforms match perfectly and the counted number of current ripples reaches the threshold is it determined that the sensor wing has reached the deployment position. Otherwise, it is determined that the sensor wing has encountered an obstacle. A warning can be generated.
[0006] These two technologies can be combined in other ways. For example, the motor can be shut down in response to the detection of a current spike or in response to the amount of current ripple reaching a threshold (whichever occurs first).
[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller comprising: a base; a housing for supporting a vehicle sensor wing thereon, the housing being rotatable relative to the base between a first position and a second position; a motor coupled to the housing to selectively rotate the housing relative to the base; at least one stop preventing the housing from rotating relative to the base beyond the second position; at least one processor; and at least one storage device storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the vehicle sensor wing position controller to: a) monitor the current supplied to the motor as the motor moves the housing between the first and second positions; b) detect a current spike during step a); c) compare the waveform of the current spike with a known waveform; and d) determine whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the second position or encountered an obstacle; wherein step d) is performed based on the comparison in step c).
[0008] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, which also includes a vehicle sensor wing mounted to a housing and a camera mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
[0009] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, wherein the instructions further cause the vehicle sensor wing position controller to: e) count the ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); and f) compare the ripple counted in step e) with a threshold; wherein step d is performed based on step f).
[0010] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, wherein step e) is performed up to step b).
[0011] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, which also includes a vehicle sensor wing mounted to a housing and a camera mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
[0012] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, which also includes a vehicle sensor wing mounted to a housing and a camera mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method for monitoring the position of a vehicle sensor wing capable of moving between a retracted position and an deployed position, the method comprising: a) supplying power to a motor coupled to the vehicle sensor wing; b) monitoring the current supplied to the motor during step a); c) detecting spikes in the current supplied to the motor during step b); d) comparing the waveform of the spikes with a known waveform; and e) determining whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the deployed position or encountered an obstacle; wherein step e is performed based on step d).
[0014] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method that further includes: f) detecting ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); g) counting the ripple detected in step f); and h) comparing the ripple counted in step g) with a threshold; wherein step e) is performed based on step h).
[0015] In some respects, the technique described herein relates to a method in which the step of counting ripples in step g) is performed during step a) up to step c).
[0016] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method that further includes: i) cutting off the power supply to the electric motor based on step c); wherein step h) is performed after step i).
[0017] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method in which, in step e), an obstacle is determined to be encountered before reaching the unfolding position based on the count of ripples being less than a threshold.
[0018] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method in which, in step e), the arrival of a vehicle sensor wing at its deployment position is determined based on the number of ripples reaching a threshold.
[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller comprising: a base; a housing for supporting a vehicle sensor wing thereon, the housing being rotatable relative to the base between a first position and a second position; a motor coupled to the housing to selectively rotate the housing relative to the base; at least one stop preventing the housing from rotating relative to the base beyond the second position; at least one processor and at least one storage device storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the vehicle sensor wing position controller to: a) monitor the current supplied to the motor as the motor moves the housing between the first and second positions; b) count the ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); c) compare the ripple counted in step b) with a threshold; and d) determine whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the second position or encountered an obstacle; wherein step d) is performed based on the comparison in step c).
[0020] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, which also includes a vehicle sensor wing mounted to a housing and a camera mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
[0021] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, wherein step b) is performed until a current spike is detected.
[0022] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, which also includes a vehicle sensor wing mounted to a housing and a camera mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
[0023] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a vehicle sensor wing position controller, which also includes a vehicle sensor wing mounted to a housing and a camera mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
[0024] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method for monitoring the position of a vehicle sensor wing capable of moving between a retracted position and an deployed position, the method comprising: a) supplying power to a motor coupled to the vehicle sensor wing; b) monitoring the current supplied to the motor during step a); c) counting the ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); and d) determining whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the deployed position or encountered an obstacle; wherein step d) is performed based on step c).
[0025] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method in which the step of counting ripples in step c) is performed until a current spike is detected.
[0026] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method that further includes: e) cutting off the power supply to the electric motor based on step d); wherein step e) is performed after step e).
[0027] In some respects, the technique described herein relates to a method in which, in step d), an obstacle is determined to be encountered before reaching the unfolding position based on the ripple count in step c) being less than a threshold.
[0028] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method in which, in step c), the arrival of a vehicle sensor wing at a deployment position is determined based on the ripple count in step c) reaching a threshold. Attached Figure Description
[0029] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a camera monitoring system used in vehicles.
[0030] Figure 2 Is Figure 1 When the wings move to the deployed position, Figure 1 The waveform of the current drawn by the motor.
[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The current signal at time t nom Extremely magnified view during the period.
[0032] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 Several simplified schematic diagrams of an electric motor are shown to illustrate the generation of ripple current.
[0033] Figure 5 It is used to determine Figure 1 A flowchart of one possible method to determine whether the vehicle sensor wings have reached the fully deployed usage position.
[0034] Figure 6 It is possible to be with Figure 5 Methods for parallel operation used to interrupt Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for supplying electricity to an electric motor. Detailed Implementation
[0035] Figure 1This is an exploded view of a camera monitoring system 10 for a vehicle (not shown). The camera monitoring system 10 includes a central shaft 12 having a base 13 fixed to the vehicle. A housing 14 is pivotally mounted to the central shaft 12 such that the central shaft 12 passes through the housing 14. A cover 16 is configured to substantially enclose other components and the housing 14.
[0036] A cam ring 18 is fixed to a central shaft 12 below the housing 14. The central shaft 12 extends through the cam ring 18. The cam ring 18 includes at least one stop 19 that engages one or more complementary stops on the underside of the housing 14 to limit rotation of the housing 14 relative to the central shaft 12.
[0037] The wing 20 (not shown to scale) has at least one camera 22 mounted thereon, typically near its outer end. The inner end of the wing 20 is fixed to the housing 14. Rotation of the housing 14 relative to the central axis 12 moves the wing 20 and the at least one camera 22 between an initial position adjacent to the vehicle (first position or retracted position) and a usage position away from the vehicle (second position or deployed position). When the housing 14 is moved to the usage position, at least one stop on the underside of the housing 14 contacts at least one stop 19 on the cam ring 18.
[0038] The motor 24 is mounted to a frame 26 fixed to the housing 14. A power supply 28 supplies DC power to the motor 24 and is controlled by a controller 30, which may include one or more processors appropriately programmed to perform the functions described herein.
[0039] Spacer 32 positions motor 24 within cover 16. Motor shaft 25 extends through motor guide 34 and is fixed to motor worm 36. Motor worm 36 engages with worm gear 38 fixed to worm gear shaft 40. Worm gear 42 is positioned at the end of worm gear shaft 40 and held by worm gear washer 44. Camera monitoring system 10 also includes bearing spring 46.
[0040] The worm gear 38 engages a clutch gear 48 rotatably housed on the central shaft 12. The clutch gear 48 includes at least one protrusion 49 received in at least one complementary recess 51 within the retaining ring 50. The clutch gear 48 and the retaining ring 50 provide a disengagement function to rotatably separate the clutch gear 48 from the housing 14, such as in the event of an impact on the wing 20. This separates the electric motor 24 from the housing 14 and the force of any such impact.
[0041] The retaining ring 52 is biased toward the clutch gear 48 via the clutch spring 54, both of which are housed on the central shaft 12. The retaining washer 56 holds the clutch spring 54 on the central shaft 12.
[0042] refer to Figure 2 When power supply 28 supplies voltage (V) to motor 24, as shown in the waveform diagram above, the current (A) fluctuates, as follows. Figure 2 The lower waveform diagram is shown. As shown, the current reaches its peak at startup, and then at the wing 20 ( Figure 1 The travel time (t) nom The current remains substantially constant during the stroke, then peaks again when the housing 14 contacts at least one stop 19 on the central shaft 12. The power supply 28 and / or controller 30 are activated at time t at the end of the stroke. nom The current spike is then detected, and power supply 28 is shut off. Power supply 28 and / or controller 30 can also [operate at time t] nom The current spike's ramp is then monitored and compared to a known waveform that should occur when at least one stop on housing 14 engages at least one stop on central shaft 12. If the ramp / waveform mismatch is insufficient, controller 30 determines that some other obstacle may have been encountered (besides stopping at the end of the stroke) and may generate a warning. An analog-to-digital converter can convert the measured current level into a digital signal readable by controller 30.
[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The current signal at time t nom A magnified view of the period is shown. As illustrated, a very small ripple is present at the top of the DC signal. These current ripples are generated by a constant count for each mechanical rotation of motor 24. The ripple count for each mechanical rotation is independent of temperature, voltage, motor speed, and manufacturing variations in motor 24 or other components. Power supply 28 and / or controller 30 count the ripples during the travel of wing 20 from its initial position to its operating position. Suitable ripple counters are known, such as the AN3049 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. After a current spike occurs and power supply 28 is turned off, the number of current ripples counted during travel is compared to a threshold. If the number of current ripples reaches the threshold, controller 30 determines that wing 20 has fully reached the fully deployed operating position. If the number of current ripples does not reach the threshold, controller 30 determines that wing 20 encountered an obstacle before fully reaching the fully deployed operating position.
[0044] The housing 14 may come into contact with an obstacle (e.g., a wall) that can produce a ramp or waveform similar to the known waveform of at least one stop 19 on the central axis 12 of the housing 14. Counting the current ripple and comparing it to a threshold confirms whether the wing 20 has reached the usage position or encountered an obstacle that produces a similar current spike.
[0045] By comparing the ramp or waveform of the current spike with a known waveform, the number of current ripples can be compared with a threshold. In one example, the counted number of current ripples is compared with the threshold only after the ramp or waveform of the current spike has a sufficient match with a known waveform. If the number of current ripples is below the threshold, an obstacle is determined to have been encountered and a warning is generated to the driver. If the number of current ripples reaches the threshold, the controller 30 determines that the wing 20 and at least one camera 22 are in the usage position.
[0046] Alternatively, power supply 28 can be turned off once the amount of current ripple reaches a threshold or a current spike with a waveform that matches a known waveform.
[0047] Upon power-on or after a power outage during the folding or unfolding of wing 20, or if wing 20 is moved manually, controller 30 returns wing 20 to its original position and then moves it back to its operating position. Controller 30 can also perform small movements and check the DC current to verify that it has reached the beginning or end of its travel.
[0048] The circuitry in power supply 28 converts the current ripple signal into a digital signal without using direct analog-to-digital conversion. For example, the circuitry can convert the ripple into a square wave signal and easily count the square wave, such as using an interrupt pin. Using PCB traces to measure the ripple current avoids the use of discrete or SMT shunt resistors.
[0049] Determining the position of wing 20 without additional sensors or switches is advantageous in terms of cost, durability, and mechanical complexity.
[0050] Each brushed DC motor generates so-called "ripple current" as it moves due to the movement / switching of the commutator and its brushes. The number of current pulses generated by the motor's rotation is deterministic (number of pulses / rotations) and can be used to infer the number of rotations the motor made while powered. Ripple current is in the millivolt range, where AC current exceeds the motor's DC current.
[0051] refer to Figure 4Small current ripple is generated during motor rotation and is defined as low-amplitude current alternation relying on a DC voltage source. This current ripple is the periodic variation of current generated by rotor movement as the rotor coils connect and disconnect from the power supply via brushes. When motor 24 rotates, the brushes short-circuit adjacent commutator segments, causing current to circulate between the segments. This results in a short circuit of the back electromotive force of the commutator segments, generating short-duration high-voltage pulses at the motor terminals. These high-voltage pulses reduce the impedance of the wing-like properties, causing the total current to rise and generating current ripple. The periodic shift of the brushes from one coil to another generates periodic current ripple. Again, the amount of ripple will be proportional to the rotational speed of motor 24 and independent of temperature, voltage, engine speed, and other variations or tolerances.
[0052] Figure 5 It is used to determine Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating one possible method for determining whether the vehicle sensor wing 20 has reached its fully deployed operational position. (See reference) Figure 1 and Figure 5 In step 110, power supply 28 begins supplying power to motor 24. In step 112, the current supplied to motor 24 is monitored. In step 114, the current ripple is counted. In step 116, current spikes in the current supplied to motor 24 are detected. Based on the detected current spikes (with sufficient amplitude and / or ramp), in step 120, the waveform of the spikes ( Figure 2 Compare it with a known waveform. The known waveform can be simply a ramp (or a ramp and amplitude), or it can be a more complex waveform that includes a ramp that varies over time.
[0053] In step 122, it is determined whether the waveform of the current spike matches a known waveform sufficiently. If not, it is determined that an obstacle has been encountered (other than the travel end stop 19), and a warning is sent to the vehicle driver that the vehicle sensor wing 20 is not in the fully deployed position.
[0054] If, in step 122, it is determined that the waveform of the current spike sufficiently matches a known waveform, then in step 126, the current ripple counted up to the point when power is supplied to motor 24 until the current spike is detected is compared with a threshold. If, in step 128, it is determined that the threshold number of ripples has not been reached, then in step 124, it is again determined that wing 20 has contacted an obstacle (other than the travel end stop 19), and a warning is sent to the vehicle driver that the vehicle sensor wing 20 is not in the fully deployed position.
[0055] If it is determined in step 126 that the threshold number of ripples was counted between the power supply start-up of motor 24 and the current spike detection in step 116, then it is determined in step 130 that the fully deployed use position has been reached.
[0056] Figure 6 It is used to stop the flow of Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for supplying power to motor 24, which can be used with... Figure 5 The methods are operated in parallel. Similarly, in step 110, power supply 28 begins to supply power to motor 24. In step 112, the current supplied to motor 24 is monitored. In step 114, the current ripple is counted. In step 115, which operates in parallel with step 114, the occurrence of current spikes in the current supplied to motor 24 is monitored.
[0057] In step 126, the number of current ripples is compared with a threshold. If the threshold is not reached in step 128, the current ripple count continues in step 114. If the threshold is reached in step 128, it is determined in step 130 that the unfolding position has been reached, and power supply to the motor 24 is stopped in step 118.
[0058] If a current spike is detected in step 116 during the execution of steps 114, 126, and 128, then power supply to motor 24 is stopped in step 118. The method then returns to... Figure 5 Step 120.
[0059] In accordance with patent laws and regulations, the above exemplary configuration is considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced in ways different from those specifically shown and described without departing from its spirit or scope. The alphanumeric identifiers relating to the steps or operations performed in the method claims are for convenience of reference in the dependent claims only and do not indicate a desired order unless otherwise expressly stated in the claims.
Claims
1. A vehicle sensor wing position controller, comprising: Base; A housing for supporting a vehicle sensor wing thereon, the housing being rotatable relative to the base between a first position and a second position; An electric motor coupled to the housing to selectively rotate the housing relative to the base; At least one stop prevents the housing from rotating relative to the base beyond the second position; At least one processor and at least one storage device for storing instructions, said instructions, when executed by said at least one processor, causing the vehicle sensor wing position controller to: a) Monitor the current supplied to the motor as the motor moves the housing between the first position and the second position; b) Detect current spikes during step a); c) Compare the waveform of the current spike with a known waveform; as well as d) Determine whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the second position or encountered an obstacle; Step d is performed based on the comparison in step c).
2. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 1, further comprising: The vehicle sensor wing is mounted to the housing, and the camera is mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
3. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 2, wherein, The instruction also causes the vehicle sensor wing position controller to: e) Count the ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); and f) Compare the ripple count from step e) with the threshold; Step d) is performed based on step f).
4. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 3, wherein, Step e) continues until step b).
5. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising: The vehicle sensor wing is mounted to the housing, and the camera is mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
6. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: The vehicle sensor wing is mounted to the housing, and the camera is mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
7. A method for monitoring the position of a vehicle sensor wing capable of moving between a retracted position and a deployed position, comprising: a) Power is supplied to the electric motor coupled to the vehicle sensor wing; b) Monitor the current supplied to the motor during step a); c) Detect spikes in the current supplied to the motor during step b); d) Compare the waveform of the spike with a known waveform; as well as e) Determine whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the deployed position or encountered an obstacle; Step e) is performed based on step d).
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: f) Detect ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); g) Count the ripples detected in step f); as well as h) Compare the ripple count from step g) with the threshold; Step e) is performed based on step h).
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The step of counting the ripples in step g) is performed during step a) up to step c).
10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: i) Based on step c), disconnect the power supply to the motor; Step h) is executed after step i).
11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, In step e), it is determined that an obstacle was encountered before reaching the unfolding position based on the count of ripples being less than the threshold.
12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, In step e), the arrival of the vehicle sensor wing at the deployment position is determined based on the number of counted ripples reaching the threshold.
13. A vehicle sensor wing position controller, comprising: Base; A housing for supporting a vehicle sensor wing thereon, the housing being rotatable relative to the base between a first position and a second position; An electric motor coupled to the housing to selectively rotate the housing relative to the base; At least one stop prevents the housing from rotating relative to the base beyond the second position; At least one processor and at least one storage device for storing instructions, said instructions, when executed by said at least one processor, causing the vehicle sensor wing position controller to: a) Monitor the current supplied to the motor as the motor moves the housing between the first position and the second position; b) Count the ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); c) Compare the ripple counts from step b) with the threshold; as well as d) Determine whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the second position or encountered an obstacle; Step d is performed based on the comparison in step c).
14. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 13, further comprising: The vehicle sensor wing is mounted to the housing, and the camera is mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
15. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, Perform step b) until a current spike is detected.
16. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to claim 15, further comprising: The vehicle sensor wing is mounted to the housing, and the camera is mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
17. The vehicle sensor wing position controller according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising: The vehicle sensor wing is mounted to the housing, and the camera is mounted to the vehicle sensor wing.
18. A method for monitoring the position of a vehicle sensor wing capable of moving between a retracted position and a deployed position, comprising: a) Power is supplied to the electric motor coupled to the vehicle sensor wing; b) Monitor the current supplied to the motor during step a); c) Count the ripple in the current supplied to the motor during step a); as well as d) Determine whether the vehicle sensor wing has reached the deployed position or encountered an obstacle; Step d) is performed based on step c).
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, Perform the step of counting the ripples in step c) until a current spike is detected.
20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising: e) Based on step d), disconnect the power supply to the motor; Step e) is executed after step e).
21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, In step d), it is determined that an obstacle was encountered before reaching the unfolding position based on the fact that the ripple count in step c) is less than a threshold.
22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein, In step c), the vehicle sensor wing is determined to have reached the deployment position based on the ripple count in step c) reaching a threshold.