Vehicle monitoring apparatus

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring device includes an image taking device having a housing for attaching to a vehicle, a motor disposed in the housing and having a spindle, a follower attached to the spindle and arranged to be rotated and driven by the motor and having a compartment. A video camera is attached to the follower, and rotated in concert with the follower. Another motor is disposed in the compartment of the follower and coupled to the video camera with such as a rack-and-pinion coupling, to rotate and adjust the video camera relative to the follower to different angular directions. A wiper may be attached to the housing, for wiping and cleaning a cap of the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle monitoring apparatus, and more particularly to a vehicle monitoring apparatus having image taking devices or video cameras adjustable to different directions for broadening rearward viewing. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Typical vehicles may comprise a display device provided in a rearview mirror of a vehicle, for showing or displaying various information for the drivers of the vehicles, such as inside temperature in the vehicle, the humidity in the vehicle, the air pressure, the pollution content within the vehicle, the light intensity outside the vehicle, the map of the environment, etc. [0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,638 to Kaspar et al. discloses a typical information system in a motor vehicle, including one or more electric circuits connected to a vehicle computer of the motor vehicle and one or more sensors, and a display device for displaying...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle monitoring apparatus including one or more image taking devices or video cameras adjustable to different directions for broadening rearward viewing, and for allowing users to reliably and safely view toward various directions behind the vehicles.

[0013] The follower includes an orifice formed therein for receiving the spindle of the first motor. The follower includes a non-circular portion formed in the orifice thereof, and the spindle of the first motor includes a non-circular end portion received in the non-circular portion of the follower, to prevent the follower from being rotated relative to the spindle of the first motor.

[0016] The housing includes an opening formed therein, and a cap engaged in the opening of the housing, to enclose the opening of the housing, and to prevent dirt or particles from entering into the housing. The image taking device includes a wiper attached to the housing, for wiping and cleaning the cap.

Problems solved by technology

However, the typical information system may not be used to show or to view or to see the objects or views behind the vehicles.

However, the video cameras are solidly fixed to the vehicles, and may not be adjusted relative to the vehicles to different angular directions, such the rearward viewing of the vehicles is limited and may not be directed or adjusted to different viewing directions.

Images