Driver assistance system for a vehicle

Abstract

A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a bracket connectable with a window. The bracket has a body portion and a camera viewing window in the body portion. A camera in the body portion has a field of view through the camera viewing window. A heat sink is in contact with the camera and is configured to be in contact with the window. The heat sink extends around a perimeter of the camera viewing window such that heat generated by the camera is transferred through the heat sink to an area of the window surrounding the field of view of the camera. Fog and ice on the window are thereby reduced from affecting the field of view of the camera.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a driver assistance system for a vehicle, and more particularly to a driver assistance system for a vehicle having a heat sink for defogging and / or deicing of a vehicle window. BACKGROUND

[0002] Driver assistance systems ("DAS") for vehicles are known. One type of vehicle DAS uses a forward-facing camera. The camera is mounted in a housing that is secured to the vehicle's front windshield to provide a forward-looking view of the vehicle's front. Such forward-facing DAS devices monitor the vehicle's forward operating environment and provide the monitored environmental information to other vehicle systems to help safer operation of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle DAS can monitor for lane departure, help keep the vehicle in the road lane, provide lane centering / guidance, control operation of high beams and / or low beams, detect for vehicle presence, provide forward collision warnings, perform sign recognition, and / or apply automatic emergency braking in response to detecting a pedestrian.

[0003] The vehicle DAS controller is connected to the output of the camera and analyzes the camera's image output data. Fog and / or ice on the windshield can cause a degradation in the quality of the camera image. To ensure that the camera of the vehicle DAS accurately perceives the environment within its view, it is desirable to reduce any fog and / or ice on the windshield that can affect the camera image, which can cause the image analysis to be incorrect. SUMMARY

[0004] According to one aspect, a driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a bracket that is connectable with a vehicle window. The bracket has a body portion and a camera viewing window in the body portion. A camera in the body portion has a field of view that is through the camera viewing window. A heat sink is in contact with the camera and is configured to be in contact with the vehicle window. The heat sink extends around a perimeter of the camera viewing window such that heat generated by the camera is transferred through the heat sink to an area of the vehicle window that surrounds the field of view of the camera.

[0005] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the heat sink can include a heat conducting body having a first conducting body portion that extends around a perimeter of the camera viewing window. The heat sink can include a first elastically compressible thermal interface material on the first conducting body portion. The first thermal interface material can be configured to be in contact with the vehicle window and provide an interface between the first conducting body portion and the vehicle window.

[0006] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the heat conducting body can have a second conducting body portion that is proximate to the camera. The heat sink can include a second elastically compressible thermal interface material on the second conducting body portion. The second thermal interface material can be in contact with the second conducting body portion and provide an interface between the camera and the second conducting body portion.

[0007] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the heat conductor can have a middle conductor portion extending through the body portion of the bracket. The middle conductor portion can interconnect the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion such that heat generated by the camera is conducted through the second conductor portion, the middle conductor portion, and the first conductor portion to the vehicle window.

[0008] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the heat sink can include a first elastically compressible thermal interface material between the first portion of the heat sink and the vehicle window and in contact with the first portion of the heat sink and the vehicle window. The heat sink can include a second elastically compressible thermal interface material between the second portion of the heat sink and the camera and in contact with the second portion of the heat sink and the camera.

[0009] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the body portion can have a mounting face configured to face the vehicle window. The camera viewing window can be defined by spaced apart first and second side walls extending from the mounting face and a bottom wall interconnecting the side walls. The heat sink can include a window portion configured to contact the vehicle window. The window portion can have spaced apart first and second side sections and an end section interconnecting the first and second side sections. The first side section can engage the first side wall. The second side section can engage the second side wall. The end section can be spaced apart from the camera.

[0010] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the camera viewing window can be further defined by an end wall extending away from the vehicle window from the mounting face when the bracket is connected to the vehicle window. The end wall can be spaced apart from the camera and can interconnect the first and second side walls. The end section of the windshield portion can engage the end wall.

[0011] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the body portion can have a mounting face configured to face the vehicle window. The mounting face can have a recess thereon. The recess can extend around a perimeter of the camera viewing window. A portion of the heat sink can be located in the recess.

[0012] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the camera viewing window can be defined by spaced apart first and second side walls extending from the mounting face and a bottom wall interconnecting the side walls. The recess can have a first side portion formed in the first side wall, a second side portion formed in the second side wall, and an end portion interconnecting the first and second side portions. A portion of the heat sink can be located in the first, second, and end portions of the recess.

[0013] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the camera viewing window can be further defined by an end wall that extends away from the vehicle window from the mounting face when the bracket is connected to the vehicle window. The end wall can be spaced apart from the camera and can interconnect the first side wall and the second side wall. An end portion of the recess can be formed in the end wall.

[0014] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the heat sink can include a window portion in the recess and extending around a perimeter of the camera viewing window. The window portion can have a first side segment in the first side portion of the recess, a second side segment in the second side portion of the recess, and an end segment in the end portion of the recess. The end segment of the window portion can interconnect the first side segment and the second side segment.

[0015] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the body portion can have a mounting face configured to face the vehicle window. The body portion can define a camera receiving portion below the mounting face in which the camera is disposed. The heat sink can include a camera portion in contact with the camera in the camera receiving portion and a window portion configured to be in contact with the vehicle window. The window portion can extend around a perimeter of the camera viewing window on the mounting face.

[0016] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the heat sink can have an intermediate portion extending through the body portion between the camera receiving portion and the mounting face. The intermediate portion of the heat sink can interconnect the camera portion and the window portion such that heat generated by the camera is conducted through the camera portion, the intermediate portion, and the window portion of the heat sink to the vehicle window.

[0017] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the camera portion can conduct heat from the camera to the intermediate portion. The window portion can conduct heat from the intermediate portion to the vehicle window.

[0018] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the driver assistance system can further include a thermal insulator in the camera receiving portion. The thermal insulator can be positioned between and in contact with the camera and a plurality of portions of the body portion that define the camera receiving portion. The thermal insulator can direct heat generated by the camera toward the camera portion of the heat sink by insulating the camera receiving portion and limiting and / or preventing heat loss to the ambient environment.

[0019] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the body portion can define a camera receiving portion in which the camera is disposed. The camera can have a lens that extends into the camera viewing window.

[0020] According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any other aspect, the driver assistance system can further include a thermal insulator in the camera-receiving portion. The thermal insulator can be positioned between the camera and the plurality of portions of the body portion that define the camera-receiving portion, and in contact with the camera and the plurality of portions. The thermal insulator can insulate the camera-receiving portion to limit and / or prevent heat generated by the camera from being lost to the ambient environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing and other features of the present application will become apparent to those who are of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following description of the application with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a driver assistance system made in accordance with one embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the driver assistance system of Figure 1

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the driver assistance system of Figure 1 as secured to a vehicle window; and

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the driver assistance system of Figure 1 as secured to a vehicle window. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figures 1 to 4 A driver assistance system ("DAS") 10 for a vehicle 12 is shown. The DAS 10 includes a bracket 14 that can be connected with a vehicle window 16, such as a windshield, side window, or rear window of the vehicle 12. In the example configuration of Figures 1 to 4 , the bracket 14 is shown connected to a windshield 16 of the vehicle 12. The bracket 14 has a body portion 18 with a mounting face 20. The mounting face 20 is configured to face the windshield 16 when the bracket 14 is mounted or secured to the windshield. As shown in Figures 3 to 4 , the mounting face 20 can be mounted directly to the windshield 16 via a layer of adhesive 22.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 ​As shown, a camera viewing window 24 is provided on the mounting surface 20. The camera viewing window 24 is defined by a spaced-apart first sidewall 26 and second sidewall 28 and a bottom wall 30. When the bracket 14 is connected to the windshield, the first sidewall 26 and second sidewall 28 extend from the mounting surface 20 away from the windshield 16. The bottom wall 30 extends between the first sidewall 26 and the second sidewall 28, connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall to each other. The camera viewing window 24 may be further defined by an end wall 32, which extends from the mounting surface 20 away from the windshield 16 when the bracket 14 is connected to the windshield. The end wall 32 extends between the first sidewall 26, the second sidewall 28, and the bottom wall 30, connecting the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the bottom wall to each other.

[0028] For example, the camera 34, such as a CCD or CMOS camera, is located within the body portion 18 of the bracket 14. The body portion 18 of the bracket 14 can have any construction or configuration suitable for accommodating or supporting the camera 34. Figures 3 to 4 As shown in the example configuration, the body portion 18 defines a camera receiving portion 36 below the mounting surface 20. A camera 34 can be positioned in the camera receiving portion 36 through a camera receiving opening 38 on the body portion 18. The body portion 18 of the bracket 14 may have a resilient arm 40 near the camera receiving opening 38, which engages with the end 42 of the inserted camera 34 to hold the camera in the camera receiving portion 36.

[0029] The camera 34 has a lens 44, which extends into the camera's viewing window 24 when attached to the bracket 14. Figure 3 When the camera 34 is attached to the windshield 16 of the vehicle 12 using the bracket 14 as shown, the camera 34 is in the position as shown. Figure 3 Arrow F indicates that the vehicle has an unobstructed field of view (“FOV”) 46 through the camera observation window 24 in the forward direction. Although Figures 1 to 4 The embodiments are described with reference to a DAS having a forward-facing camera device, but the DAS may have different fields of view (e.g., a rear-facing camera device, a side-facing camera device, or a camera device facing the interior of the vehicle).

[0030] Under certain environmental conditions, fog and / or ice may form on the windshield 16. When fog and / or ice form in the area where the windshield 16 intersects with the camera's field of view 46, the camera's field of view may be obstructed and / or the quality of the image obtained by the camera 34 may be reduced. To prevent fog and / or ice from forming at the windshield / field of view intersection 48 on the windshield 16, and / or to remove fog and / or ice formed at the windshield / field of view intersection on the windshield, the DAS 10 includes a radiator 50.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the radiator 50 has a window portion 78 configured to contact the windshield 16 when the bracket 14 is mounted on the windshield. When the camera is in the camera receiving portion 36, the camera portion 82 of the radiator 50 contacts the camera 34. A middle portion 86 of the radiator 50 extends between the window portion 78 and the camera receiving portion 82, connecting the window portion to the camera receiving portion.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the window portion 78 of the heat sink 50 includes a first conductive portion 54 of the heat conductor 52. The window portion 78 of the heat sink 50 may also include a first elastically compressible thermal interface material 80, such as an elastomer, on the first conductive portion 54. The first conductive portion 54 engages with the mounting surface 20 of the bracket 14. The first conductive portion 54 has a spaced-apart first side section 58 and a second side section 60. The first side section 58 engages with a first sidewall 26, and the second side section 60 engages with a second sidewall 28. The first conductive portion 54 thus extends around the perimeter 62 of the camera viewing window 24 on at least two sides of the camera viewing window 24.

[0033] The first conductor portion 54 may also have an end segment 64 that engages with the mounting surface 20 and is spaced apart from the camera 34. The end segment 64 of the first conductor portion 54 extends between a first side segment 58 and a second side segment 60, connecting the first side segment and the second side segment to each other. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the example configuration, when the end wall is located in the body portion 18 of the bracket 14, the end segment 64 engages with the end wall 32. However, in a configuration of the bracket 14 excluding the end wall 32, the end segment 64 may engage with the bottom wall 30. The first side segment 58, the second side segment 60, and the end segment 64 of the first conductor portion thus extend around the perimeter 62 of the camera viewing window 24 on at least three sides of the camera viewing window.

[0034] Although the first side section 58, the second side section 60, and the end section 64 of the first conductor portion 54 have been shown and described as engaging with the first side wall 26, the second side wall 28, and the end wall 32 of the bracket 14, the first side section, the second side section, and the end section of the first conductor portion may be spaced apart from the first side wall, the second side wall, and the end wall of the bracket, as long as they extend around the camera viewing window 24.

[0035] like Figures 2 to 4As shown in the example configuration, the mounting surface 20 may have a recess 66 that engages with the first conductor portion 54. The recess 66 has a first side portion 68 formed in the first sidewall 26, a second side portion 70 formed in the second sidewall 28, and an end portion 72 formed in the endwall 32. The first side portion 58 of the first conductor portion 54 is located in the first side portion 68 of the recess 66. The second side portion 60 of the first conductor portion 54 is located in the second side portion 70 of the recess 66. The end portion 64 of the first conductor portion 54 is located in the end portion 72 of the recess 66. The first side portion 58, the second side portion 60, and the end portion 64 of the first conductor portion 54 thus extend around the periphery 62 of the camera viewing window 24 within the first side portion 68, the second side portion 70, and the end portion 72 of the recess 66.

[0036] Although the first side portion 68, the second side portion 70, and the end portion 72 of the groove 66 have been shown and described as being formed in the first sidewall 26, the second sidewall 28, and the end wall 32 of the bracket 14, the first side portion, the second side portion, and the end portion of the groove may be spaced apart from the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the end wall of the bracket, as long as they extend around the perimeter 62 of the camera viewing window 24. Furthermore, although Figures 1 to 4 The bracket 14 shown in the example configuration depicts the groove 66 as having an end portion 72 formed in the end wall 32, but some configurations of the bracket do not include such an end wall. In these configurations, the end portion 72 of the groove 66 may be located in the bottom wall 30. In a DAS 10 configuration where the end segment 64 of the first conductor portion 54 engages with the bottom wall, the end portion 72 of the groove 66 may be formed in the bottom wall 30. In a DAS 10 configuration that does not include the end portion 72 of the groove 66, the first conductor 54 may not include the end segment 64.

[0037] The first thermal interface material 80 of the window portion 78 of the radiator 50 is configured to contact, for example, directly with the windshield 16 when the bracket 14 is mounted to the windshield 16. The first thermal interface material 80 thus provides an interface between the first conductor portion 54 and the windshield 16. When the bracket 14 is fastened to the windshield, the first thermal interface material 80 can be compressed by the windshield 16. The compressed first thermal interface material 80 at least partially flattens against the windshield 16 to help ensure contact between the windshield and the radiator 50. The first thermal interface material 80 can, for example, provide a continuous (i.e., uninterrupted) interface between the first conductor portion 54 and the windshield 16 along the length of a first side section, a second side section, and an end section of the first conductor portion.

[0038] While the window portion 78 of the heat spreader 50 is described and depicted as having the first conductor portion 54 and the first thermal interface material 80, the window portion can include only the first conductor portion. In such a configuration, the first conductor portion 54 can be configured to be in contact with the windshield 16. Alternatively, the first conductor portion 54 can be spaced apart from and adjacent to the windshield 16.

[0039] As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the camera portion 82 of the heat spreader 50 includes the second conductor portion 56 of the thermally conductive body 52. The camera portion 82 of the heat spreader 50 can also include a second elastically compressible thermal interface material 84, such as an elastomer, on the second conductor portion 56. Figures 2 to 4

[0040] As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the second conductor portion 56 is spaced apart from the first conductor portion 54. As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the second conductor portion 56 is located in (such as entirely within) the camera-receiving portion 36 of the bracket 14, adjacent to the camera 34. The second conductor portion 56 is located between the camera 34 and a portion of the body portion 18 that defines the camera-receiving portion 36, and is engaged with the camera and the portion of the body portion. The second conductor portion 56 can be in contact with the portion of the body portion 18 that defines the camera-receiving portion 36. Figures 2 to 4 Figures 3 to 4

[0041] As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, when the camera is located in the camera-receiving portion 36, the second thermal interface material 84 is in contact with the camera 34, such as directly contacting. The second thermal interface material 84 thus provides an interface between the second conductor portion 56 and the camera 34. The second thermal interface material 84 may, for example, provide a continuous (i.e., uninterrupted) interface along the length of the second conductor portion 56 between the second conductor portion and the windshield 16. Figures 3 to 4

[0042] When the camera is positioned in the camera-receiving portion 36, the second thermal interface material 84 can be compressed by the camera 34. The compressed second thermal interface material 84 flattens at least partially against a portion of the camera 34 to help ensure contact between the camera and the heat spreader 50.

[0043] While the camera portion 82 of the heat spreader 50 is described and depicted as having the second conductor portion 56 and the second thermal interface material 84, the camera portion can include only the second conductor portion. In such a configuration, the second conductor portion 56 can be configured to be in contact with the camera 34. Alternatively, the second conductor portion 56 can be spaced apart from and adjacent to the camera 34.

[0044] As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the camera portion 82 of the heat spreader 50 includes the second conductor portion 56 of the thermally conductive body 52. The camera portion 82 of the heat spreader 50 can also include a second elastically compressible thermal interface material 84, such as an elastomer, on the second conductor portion 56. Figure 2 Figure 4 ​​​​​As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the middle portion 86 of the heat sink 50 includes a middle conductor portion 74 of the heat conductor 52. The middle conductor portion 74 extends between and interconnects the first conductor portion 54 and the second conductor portion 56. The middle conductor portion 74 extends through the body portion 18 of the bracket 14. As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the middle conductor portion 74 can extend through one or more openings 76 in the body portion 18 that extend between the camera receiving portion 36 and the mounting face 20. Figure 4

[0045] As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, during use of the DAS 10, the DAS is mounted to the windshield 16. In use, the camera 34, and / or other electronic components of the DAS 10 in the camera receiving portion 36 generate heat in the camera receiving portion. The heat conductor 52 of the heat sink 50 is formed of a material, such as a metal, that is more thermally conductive than the material that forms the bracket 14, which can be a plastic or polymer. Thus, heat generated in the camera receiving portion 36 is substantially conducted through the heat sink 50, rather than the bracket 14. Figures 3 to 4

[0046] As shown in the example configuration of FIG. 1, the camera portion 82 of the heat sink 50 is in contact with the camera 34 in the camera receiving portion 36 of the bracket 14. The window portion 78 of the heat sink 50 is in contact with the windshield 16. The middle portion 86 of the heat sink 50 extends through the body portion 18 of the bracket 14 and interconnects the camera portion 82 and the window portion 78. The camera portion 82 of the heat sink 50 conducts heat from the camera 34 and / or other electronic components within the camera receiving portion 36 to the middle portion 86. The window portion 78 of the heat sink 50 then conducts heat from the middle portion 86 to the windshield 16. Heat generated in the camera receiving portion 36 can also bypass the camera portion 82 and be conducted through only the middle portion 86 to the window portion 78 of the heat sink 50. Figure 4

[0047] As described above, the FOV 46 of the camera extends through the camera viewing window 24. The first conductor portion 54 of the heat sink 50 extends around the perimeter 62 of the camera viewing window 24, and thus the window portion 78 of the heat sink extends around the FOV 46 of the camera. The window portion 78 of the heat sink 50 conducts heat generated in the camera receiving portion 36 to the area of the windshield 16 surrounding the FOV 46 of the camera, which heats the windshield / FOV intersection 48. Heating the windshield / FOV intersection 48 can prevent fog and / or ice from forming at the windshield / FOV intersection on the windshield 16, and / or can defog and / or deice the windshield at the windshield / FOV intersection.

[0048] ​​​To help ensure that heat generated in the camera housing 36 is conducted to the area of ​​the windshield 16 surrounding the camera's field of view 46, the DAS 10 may include a heat insulation element 88 in the camera housing. The heat insulation element 88 may be formed of one or more materials with low thermal conductivity, such as open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, and / or aerogel. Figures 2 to 4 In the example configuration, the insulation 88 is formed of open-cell or closed-cell foam. For example... Figures 3 to 4 As shown, the heat insulation element 88 contacts and is positioned along multiple portions of the camera receiving portion 36 of the body portion 18. The camera 34 can be inserted into the heat insulation element 88 when inserted into the camera receiving portion 36. The heat insulation element 88 is an open-cell or closed-cell foam capable of being compressed and allowing the camera 34 to be inserted therein. When the camera 34 is positioned in the camera receiving portion 36, the heat insulation element 88 is positioned between the camera and the multiple portions of the camera receiving portion of the body portion 18, and contacts the camera and these portions. The heat insulation element 88 does not engage with the camera portion 82 of the heat sink 50 to allow heat generated by the camera 34 to be conducted through that camera portion.

[0049] The thermal insulation element 88 isolates the camera housing portion 36 and limits and / or prevents heat loss to the surrounding environment. By isolating the camera housing portion 36 and limiting or preventing heat loss, the thermal insulation element 88 helps ensure that heat generated in the camera housing portion is directed toward the camera portion 82 and / or intermediate portion 86 of the radiator 50, and ultimately conducted to the area of ​​the windshield 16 surrounding the camera's field of view 46.

[0050] Although the thermal insulation 88 is described above as being formed of open-cell foam, closed-cell foam and / or aerogel, the thermal insulation may also be, or alternatively, one or more gases with low thermal conductivity, such as air, argon and / or krypton, held within the camera receiving portion 36.

[0051] Advantageously, the radiator 50 not only helps prevent fog and / or ice from obscuring the camera's field of view 46, but it also helps prevent thermal damage to the camera 34. In certain situations, heat generated by the camera 34 and / or other electronic components in the camera housing 36 can cause thermal damage to the camera if it is not dissipated. The radiator 50 aids in heat dissipation by conducting heat generated in the camera housing 36 to the windshield 16, where heat can be more easily dissipated, for example, by airflow above the windshield, which has a much larger surface area and mass for heat dissipation than the radiator or bracket 14. Therefore, the environment surrounding the camera 34 can be cooled or mitigated via the windshield 16 due to the radiator 50.

[0052] In addition to the methods described above for cooling the camera 34, the DAS 10 can have additional structures for actively cooling the camera. For example, the heat sink 50 can include one or more fins that dissipate heat away from the camera 34 to cool the camera. Alternatively, the DAS 10 can include a liquid cooling system within the cradle 14. The liquid cooling system can include liquid cooling lines that transfer heat away from the camera 34 to cool the camera.

[0053] While the heat sink 50 is described herein as providing a conduction path for heat to travel from the camera receiving portion 36 to the windshield 16, the heat sink can alternatively or additionally provide a low thermal resistance path for heat to be transferred from the camera receiving portion to the windshield by one or more heat transfer mechanisms, such as by convection, radiation, conduction, and / or phase change. For example, the heat sink 50 can function as a heat pipe for transferring heat from the camera receiving portion 36 to the windshield 16 by using a liquid contained within an interior cavity of the heat sink. Alternatively, the heat sink 50 with fins can transfer heat dissipated by the fins from the camera 34 to the windshield 16. As another alternative, the heat sink 50 with liquid cooling lines at least partially disposed on and / or within the heat sink can transfer heat to the windshield 16 through the liquid cooling lines.

[0054] From the foregoing description of the present application, those skilled in the art will appreciate that improvements, changes, and modifications can be practiced. Such improvements, changes, and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A driver assistance system for a vehicle, the driver assistance system comprising: A bracket capable of being connected to a vehicle window, the bracket having a body portion and a camera viewing window in the body portion; The camera in the main body has a field of view through the camera viewing window; as well as A radiator, which contacts the camera and is configured to contact the vehicle window, extends around the perimeter of the camera's viewing window, such that heat generated by the camera is transferred through the radiator to the area of ​​the vehicle window surrounding the camera's field of view. The heat sink includes a heat conductor having a first conductor portion extending around the periphery of the camera viewing window. The heat sink includes a first elastically compressible thermal interface material on the first conductor portion, the first elastically compressible thermal interface material being configured to contact the window and provide an interface between the first conductor portion and the window.

2. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The heat conductor has a second conductor portion adjacent to the camera, and the heat sink includes a second elastically compressible thermal interface material on the second conductor portion, the second elastically compressible thermal interface material contacting the second conductor portion and providing an interface between the camera and the second conductor portion.

3. The driver assistance system as described in claim 2, wherein, The heat conductor has an intermediate conductor portion that extends through the body portion of the bracket. The intermediate conductor portion connects the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion to each other, so that the heat generated by the camera is conducted to the car window through the second conductor portion, the intermediate conductor portion and the first conductor portion.

4. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The radiator includes a first elastically compressible thermal interface material and a second elastically compressible thermal interface material. The first elastically compressible thermal interface material is between the first part of the radiator and the vehicle window, and is in contact with the first part of the radiator and the vehicle window. The second elastically compressible thermal interface material is between the second part of the radiator and the camera, and is in contact with the second part of the radiator and the camera.

5. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The body portion has a mounting surface configured to face the vehicle window. The camera viewing window is defined by a spaced-apart first sidewall and second sidewall extending from the mounting surface, and a bottom wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall to each other. The radiator includes a window portion configured to contact the vehicle window. The window portion has a spaced-apart first side section and second side section extending from the camera, and an end section connecting the first side section and the second side section to each other. The first side section is adjacent to the first sidewall, the second side section is adjacent to the second sidewall, and the end section is spaced apart from the camera.

6. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The camera viewing window is further defined by an end wall that extends away from the window from the mounting surface when the bracket is connected to the window. The end wall is spaced apart from the camera and connects the first side wall and the second side wall to each other. The end section of the windshield portion is adjacent to the end wall.

7. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The main body portion has a mounting surface configured to face the vehicle window, the mounting surface having a groove extending around the periphery of the camera viewing window, and a portion of the radiator located within the groove.

8. The driver assistance system of claim 7, wherein, The camera viewing window is defined by a spaced-apart first sidewall and second sidewall extending from the mounting surface, and a bottom wall connecting the sidewalls to each other. The groove has a first side portion formed in the first sidewall, a second side portion formed in the second sidewall, and an end portion connecting the first side portion and the second side portion to each other. A portion of the heat sink is in the first side portion, the second side portion, and the end portion of the groove.

9. The driver assistance system as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The camera viewing window is further defined by an end wall that extends away from the window from the mounting surface when the bracket is connected to the window. The end wall is spaced apart from the camera and connects the first side wall and the second side wall to each other. The end portion of the groove is formed in the end wall.

10. The driver assistance system of claim 9, wherein, The heat sink includes a window portion extending in the recess and around the periphery of the camera viewing window. The window portion has a first side section in a first side portion of the recess, a second side section in a second side portion of the recess, and an end section in an end portion of the recess, the end section of the window portion connecting the first side section and the second side section to each other.

11. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein, The body portion has a mounting surface configured to face the vehicle window, the body portion defining a camera receiving portion below the mounting surface, the camera being disposed in the camera receiving portion, the radiator including a camera portion and a window portion, the camera portion contacting the camera in the camera receiving portion, and the window portion being configured to contact the vehicle window and extending around the periphery of the camera viewing window on the mounting surface.

12. The driver assistance system of claim 11, wherein, The radiator has a middle portion that extends through the body portion between the camera receiving portion and the mounting surface. The middle portion of the radiator connects the camera portion and the window portion to each other, so that the heat generated by the camera is conducted to the vehicle window through the camera portion, the middle portion, and the window portion of the radiator.

13. The driver assistance system of claim 12, wherein, The camera portion conducts heat from the camera to the middle portion, and the window portion conducts heat from the middle portion to the window.

14. The driver assistance system of claim 11, further comprising a heat insulation element in the camera receiving portion, the heat insulation element being positioned between the camera and a plurality of portions of the body portion defining the camera receiving portion and in contact with the camera and the plurality of portions, the heat insulation element directing heat generated by the camera to the camera portion of the radiator by isolating the camera receiving portion and limiting and / or preventing heat loss to the surrounding environment.

15. The driver assistance system of claim 1, wherein, The body portion defines a camera receiving portion, the camera is disposed in the camera receiving portion, and the camera has a lens extending from the camera receiving portion into the camera viewing window.

16. The driver assistance system of claim 15, further comprising a heat insulation element in the camera receiving portion, the heat insulation element being positioned between the camera and a plurality of portions of the body portion defining the camera receiving portion and contacting the camera and the plurality of portions, the heat insulation element isolating the camera receiving portion to limit and / or prevent heat generated by the camera from being lost to the surrounding environment.

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