Side mirrors for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a side exterior mirror (10) for a motor vehicle with a housing (12) which has an opening (20) covered by a mirror element (18) having a disc (14) which at least partially forms and / or covers a reflective surface (16), wherein the mirror element (18) and the housing (12) enclose a cavity (22) in which a camera (24) with a lens (26) which is oriented towards the disc (14) is arranged, and the mirror element (18) is movable relative to the housing (12) by means of a displacement mechanism (28), whereby the opening (22) can be released, and the displacement mechanism (28) can be activated by an actuating unit.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a side exterior mirror for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

[0002] It is now not uncommon to replace or at least supplement side mirrors on motor vehicles with cameras. For example, DE 10 2009 006 109 A1 discloses a commercial vehicle mirror with a housing and a mirror body extending over a mirror surface, incorporating a camera with a field of view that extends at least partially through the mirror surface.

[0003] Furthermore, EP 2 377 725 B1 discloses an exterior mirror simulation for a vehicle consisting of at least one optical sensor in a housing, with optics that allow a wide-angle image on the plane of the optical sensor, with a data connection to the vehicle and a display unit that is mounted approximately in the direction of the driver's view at the position of an exterior mirror.

[0004] When cameras replace rearview mirrors, they are called digital outer review mirrors (ORVMs). The use of digital outer review mirrors carries risks, such as electronic failure, lack of homologation (meaning, for example, that approval is lacking in some countries), reliability issues, repairs, and / or high costs and / or complexity, especially when using multiple ORVMs.

[0005] A generic side exterior mirror is already known from JP 2014 - 133 440 A and comprises a housing that has an opening covered by a mirror element having a disc which forms and / or covers at least part of a reflective surface, wherein the mirror element and the housing enclose a cavity in which a camera with a lens oriented towards the disc is arranged, and the mirror element is movable relative to the housing by means of a displacement mechanism, whereby the opening can be released, and the displacement mechanism can be activated by an actuating unit.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a side exterior mirror which enables particularly high reliability and particularly easy operation.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, as well as in the description and the drawing.

[0008] The side exterior mirror according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a housing having an opening covered or coverable by a disc that forms and / or covers a reflective surface. The mirror element and the housing together enclose a cavity in which a camera with a lens oriented towards the disc of the mirror element is arranged. The mirror element is movable relative to the housing by means of a displacement mechanism, in particular pivotable and / or displaceable, thereby allowing the opening to be uncovered. Access to the camera can be granted, in particular, by unlocking the opening due to the movement of the mirror element by means of the displacement mechanism. According to the invention, the displacement mechanism can be activated by an actuating unit.

[0009] According to the invention, the lens is arranged in an area of ​​the disc that is clear, i.e., in particular non-reflective or transparent, so that the lens can easily perceive an environment through the disc of the mirror element.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the invention, the reflective surface comprises the entire disc and / or the reflective surface and thus the mirror is designed as a one-way mirror, so that the camera can also easily look through it, wherein in particular the cavity can be, for example, black or particularly dark.

[0011] A side mirror can be for either the driver's or passenger's side of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is typically a passenger car and / or truck. The lens forms or covers the mirror or reflective surface. This surface faces away from the housing and, when the side mirror is mounted, is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle. Its purpose is to allow the user, especially the driver, to see the area behind the vehicle.In addition to the mirror, a camera is positioned, its lens being able to view, or be oriented, an area behind or to the side of the vehicle in its operating position, particularly through the lens. This provides a degree of redundancy for observing the area beside and / or behind the vehicle through the reflective surface of the mirror element and the camera. The displacement mechanism can be, in particular, a tilting and / or swiveling mechanism, allowing the lens to be moved relative to the housing in such a way as to release the opening and thus enable access to the camera, for example, for maintenance. The lens can be, in particular, divided into two sections, with separate areas for the lens and for the reflective surface. Alternatively, the lens can be, in particular, a single piece.

[0012] The actuation unit can be activated in particular due to an event, such as a driver request or the like.

[0013] In other words, a side exterior mirror for a motor vehicle is shown, wherein a camera is integrated into its housing, enabling the rear area of ​​the vehicle to be captured. The camera comprises a camera lens which is arranged behind a cover, in particular a mirror glass, of the side exterior mirror.

[0014] According to the invention, the cover or mirror glass is arranged to be movable and, in particular, foldable, wherein an actuating means for actuating the cover or mirror glass is provided, which can be activated manually by the driver, in the event of a system error and / or by coding, for example during a production process of the motor vehicle or the side exterior mirror.

[0015] Combining a digital exterior mirror with a conventional mirror, or integrating the camera into the mirror housing which can be folded out, simplifies regulatory approval and increases reliability. Another advantage is that the camera module is easily accessible in case of failure, thus facilitating simple maintenance. Further benefits include particularly low costs, the ability to handle different product variants, and / or the capacity to handle increasing complexity.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating unit is designed to activate the displacement mechanism based on an event.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating unit has at least one sensor for detecting the event.

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] This shows: Fig. 1. A schematic perspective view of a side exterior mirror with a swiveling mirror element and a camera; and Fig. 2 a schematic diagram for activating the swiveling of the mirror element of the side exterior mirror according to Fig. 1.

[0020] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a side mirror for a motor vehicle with a housing 12, which has an opening covered by a mirror element 18 having a disc 14 that at least partially forms and / or covers a reflective surface 16. The mirror element 18 and the housing 12 enclose a cavity 22 in which a camera 24 with a lens 26 is arranged, which is oriented towards the disc 14. The mirror element 18 can be moved relative to the housing 12 by means of a displacement mechanism 28, thereby releasing the opening 20 and thus the cavity 22. The displacement mechanism 28 can be activated by an actuating unit, which is not shown.

[0022] The actuating unit is designed to activate the displacement mechanism 28 based on an event and has, for example, a sensor to detect this event. Furthermore, the actuating unit can include a simple button, for example on a touchscreen, and / or a mechanical control element, so that the displacement mechanism 28 can be activated by a user request, in particular to initiate the opening of the displacement mechanism 28, thus allowing access to the opening 20 and the cavity 22, and therefore also to the camera 24.

[0023] The reflective surface 16 can be formed in conjunction with the disk 14 and / or, like the lens 26, be covered by the disk 14. The disk 14 can be formed in one piece or, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, in two parts. Advantageously, the disk 14 can be formed, at least partially, as a one-way mirror.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart for the possible opening or activation of the relocation mechanism 28. There are essentially three possibilities for the automated activation of the relocation mechanism: - via a manual control element represented by box T1; - by detecting an event using a diagnostic procedure, for example by means of a sensor, represented by box T2; and / or - based on a coding of a variant, especially in the production of the motor vehicle, represented by the box T3.

[0025] One possibility, represented by box M1, is to open the flap or mirror element 18. Furthermore, represented by box M2, the camera 24 can be activated or made accessible. The event diagnosed by T2, represented by event E1, could, for example, be a blockage of the digital camera 24. T2 can also be initiated by event E2, which describes the displacement or incorrect positioning of the camera 24. Event E3 could represent exceeding a predefined temperature. Event E4 describes, for example, an over- or undervoltage, and event E5 describes, for example, a misalignment and / or another electrical fault of the mirror.

[0026] The invention is based on the understanding that conventional exterior rearview mirrors are increasingly being replaced by cameras or digital rearview mirrors. This offers aerodynamic advantages, as camera-based mirrors are generally smaller than conventional mirrors, thus reducing a vehicle's air resistance, which can, for example, improve fuel efficiency and reduce road noise. Another advantage of digital rearview mirrors is visibility; cameras can offer a wider field of view than conventional mirrors. They can also provide better visibility in bad weather or at night, as night vision technologies, for example, can be integrated to compensate for poor lighting conditions.Another advantage is the safety features; digital mirrors can be combined with other safety systems, such as blind spot monitoring, to warn the driver of potential hazards. Warning signals can then be displayed directly on a screen that shows the camera image.

[0027] Another advantage is adjustability; a camera-based system can be more easily adjusted and automatically enlarged or reduced to provide the best perspective in various driving situations, such as driving on the highway or parking. Furthermore, it allows for a more flexible design, as large exterior mirrors are not required. This gives vehicle designers more freedom to create, for example, aerodynamic and / or futuristic vehicles.

[0028] Another advantage is the elimination of blind spots due to the extended field of view. Cameras can be easily positioned to avoid blind spots that cannot be covered by conventional mirrors. Furthermore, personalization is possible. For example, a screen or display in the vehicle can be customized to show different information in addition to the mirror or camera image, depending on the driver's preferences and / or the driving context. Additionally, glare is reduced because camera systems can automatically dim bright lights from following vehicles, which is a significant advantage over conventional mirrors at night.

[0029] Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages and challenges regarding digital rearview mirrors. For example, the use of camera-based systems as a replacement for side mirrors is not permitted in all regions, as they are not approved for use there. This means manufacturers have to contend with varying legal requirements. Furthermore, reliability is a concern; cameras and screens must function reliably under all conditions. If the camera fails, the driver may no longer be able to see behind the vehicle. Additionally, drivers may need more time to adapt to such systems, as the perception of distance and / or depth can differ when looking at a screen compared to looking in a mirror.Furthermore, cameras and screens may require different or more frequent maintenance than conventional mirrors, for example by cleaning the camera lenses and / or repairing electronic components.

[0030] The side exterior mirror 10 presented here solves the problems, as a digital rearview mirror is integrated into a conventional mirror, and the mirror element 18 can be opened, thus providing access to the camera 24. The mirror element 18 can be opened, in particular, based on the following and already outlined trigger conditions. Thus, T1 represents in the Fig. 2 the driver's request, which is made possible, for example, by pressing a button, which may always be located in the same place as a mirror setting.

[0031] T2 represents a system response to a detected fault. Thus, in the event of any fault, attributable to any cause such as blockage, temperature, over- or undervoltage, misalignment, electrical fault, etc., a signal can be triggered via a communication interface, for example of the sensor, to open the mirror.

[0032] Finally, in other words, box T3 represents variant handling in some countries, for example, where the vehicle must be equipped with physical mirrors. Thus, OEMs can, for instance, develop a single mirror variant; the hybrid side exterior mirror shown here, or side exterior mirror 10, can be combined with camera 24, or these can be omitted, depending on the variant coding.

Claims

[1] Side exterior mirror (10) for a motor vehicle with a housing (12) having an opening (20) covered by a mirror element (18) having a disc (14) which forms at least a reflective surface, wherein the mirror element (18) and the housing (12) enclose a cavity (22) in which a camera (24) with a lens (26) oriented towards the disc (14) is arranged, and the mirror element (18) is movable relative to the housing (12) by means of a displacement mechanism (28) whereby the opening (20) can be released, and the displacement mechanism (28) can be activated by an actuating unit, characterized by , that the lens (26) is arranged on an area of ​​the disk (14) which is clear and that the reflective surface covers the entire disk (14) and / or is designed as a one-way mirror. [2] Side exterior mirror (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the actuating unit is designed to activate the displacement mechanism (28) based on an event (E1 - E5). [3] Side exterior mirror (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuating unit has at least one sensor for detecting the event.

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