Camera device for installation in a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a camera device (3) for installation in a vehicle (1), and the camera device comprises a carrier device (4) configured to be attached to the vehicle (1) so as to support a camera housing (6) carrying a camera unit (8), the camera device (3) further comprising a fan unit (12) having a fan wheel (12a) and a fan motor (12b), the fan wheel being configured to force air heated by the camera device (3) into the interior of the vehicle (1), the fan motor being configured to operate the fan wheel (12a). In addition, the fan motor (12b) comprises a fan motor shaft (12c), the fan motor shaft being connected to the fan wheel (12a) and being configured to have a substantially vertical orientation when the camera device (3) is installed in the vehicle (1).

Description

Summary of the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera device for installation in a vehicle, and the camera device includes a carrier device, the carrier device is configured to be attached to the vehicle so as to support a camera housing carrying a camera unit. The camera device includes a fan unit having a fan wheel and a fan motor, the fan wheel being configured to force air heated by the camera device into the interior of the vehicle, the fan motor being used to operate the fan wheel.

[0002] Nowadays, there are different types of detection and sensor systems for road vehicles, by means of which various objects in the vehicle's surroundings can be detected and analyzed. For this reason, such detection and sensor systems may include camera units for providing images and video sequences. Alternatively, such systems may include devices such as radar systems, navigation systems, lidar systems and other sensors and detectors.

[0003] Furthermore, such detection and sensor systems can be used in conjunction with, for example, automated vehicle systems for speed control and collision prevention, and can also be used in the field of autonomous vehicles.

[0004] According to the prior art, a carrier device may be configured to support a camera unit or similar type of equipment. Such a carrier device may be positioned on the inside of a windshield of a vehicle. This means that the camera unit may be positioned in a suitable position in the vehicle while being supported by the carrier device and configured to have a given detection area in front of or around the vehicle.

[0005] As is previously known, the carrier device may comprise a frame or plate arranged to be attached to a vehicle windshield and further connected to a support device attached to the frame. In addition, the support device comprises a suitable attachment member configured to support the camera unit. In addition, the carrier device is suitably attached to the windshield by a suitable adhesive.

[0006] A general problem in this technical field is to provide a system that is configured to force heated air away and cool the camera unit and other related components that are heated during operation of the camera unit. In particular, such a system must be compact, silent and must also not obstruct the view of the driver of the vehicle in question. The system must also be adaptable to different windshields of different shapes and inclinations.

[0007] A previously known camera device of the above type is known from patent document US 2017 / 184945. This known device is based on a camera device comprising a mounting device for a camera unit and configured to be attached to a windshield of a vehicle. The device also comprises a heat transfer device, a fan and a motor for operating the fan. In particular, the device comprises a fan arranged to transport air through the housing of the camera unit.

[0008] Even if the device according to US 2017 / 184945 is constructed in a way that it is mounted to the windshield and transports heated air, there is a need for further improvements in this field of technology. In particular, there is a need for improved cooling of the hot air that has been heated by the electronics and camera unit, while still obtaining an efficient camera device.

[0009] For the reasons stated above, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a carrier device for a camera device, by which the above-mentioned disadvantages and challenges associated with the prior art may be addressed.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the object is achieved by a camera device for installation in a vehicle, and the camera device comprises a carrier device, the carrier device being configured to be attached to the vehicle so as to support a camera housing carrying a camera unit. The camera device comprises a fan unit having a fan wheel and a fan motor, the fan wheel being configured to force air heated by the camera device into the interior of the vehicle, the fan motor being configured to operate the fan wheel. Furthermore, the fan motor comprises a fan motor shaft, the fan motor shaft being connected to the fan wheel and being configured to have a substantially vertical orientation when the camera device is installed in the vehicle.

[0011] A number of advantages are achieved by the camera arrangement according to the present disclosure. Primarily, the camera arrangement according to the present disclosure will provide improved cooling of hot air from the electronics and camera unit, and will also efficiently transport air away from the windscreen, while still achieving a space saving and efficient camera arrangement.

[0012] The carrier device according to the present disclosure is suitably used with road vehicles such as cars, trucks or other road vehicles, but may in principle also be used with any other vehicle having a windscreen suitable for mounting the above-described carrier device on the inner side of the windscreen.

[0013] Further aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0014] According to some aspects, the fan motor shaft is disposed at an angle of less than 25° relative to the vertical axis.

[0015] According to some aspects, the fan motor shaft is disposed at an angle of less than 5° relative to the vertical axis.

[0016] According to some aspects, the camera device further includes a fan housing supporting the fan unit.

[0017] According to some aspects, the fan housing includes means for cooling radiator fins of air forced into the interior of the vehicle.

[0018] According to some aspects, the fan housing includes a cover unit at least partially surrounding the fan wheel and including a wall structure for the fan unit.

[0019] According to some aspects, the fan housing is configured to have a single outlet that forces air in one direction or dual outlets that force air in two separate directions.

[0020] According to some aspects, the fan housing is configured to be mounted on an underside of the camera housing when the camera device is installed in a vehicle.

[0021] According to some aspects, the camera device includes an electronics unit configured to control operation of the camera unit and disposed between the camera housing and the fan housing.

[0022] According to some aspects, the fan motor shaft can be rotatably disposed in the fan motor via a fluid bearing.

[0023] According to some aspects, a carrier device includes a substrate configured to be attached to an inside of a windshield of the vehicle.

[0024] According to some aspects, the fan is configured to force air in a direction substantially parallel to a windshield of the vehicle.

[0025] According to some aspects, the fan unit is arranged in a housing defining a space for directing air past the fan wheel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 showing a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a carrier device and a camera unit according to the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a camera device according to the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 A perspective view of the electronics unit and camera housing is shown with Figure 3 The comparison is shown inverted;

[0031] Figure 5 A perspective view of a fan housing mounted to a camera housing is shown with Figure 3 The comparison is also shown inverted;

[0032] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a fan housing installed in a cover unit; and

[0033] Figure 7 Shown is a side view of a fan unit according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a perspective view of a vehicle 1, which according to one embodiment is a conventional vehicle, having a windshield 2. According to one embodiment, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a camera device 3, which is mounted on the inner side of the windshield 2, i.e. the side of the windshield 2 facing the interior of the vehicle 1. The camera device 3 comprises a carrier device 4 for a camera unit, which will be described in more detail below.

[0035] The camera device 3 is particularly intended for use on road vehicles, primarily in the form of cars, trucks and buses and the like, but may alternatively be used in other vehicles.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the carrier device 4 comprises a base plate 5 formed as a substantially U-shaped frame element. The upper side of the base plate 5 is suitably provided with an adhesive for gluing it to the inner side of the windshield 2 .

[0037] Furthermore, the carrier device 4 comprises a support device, which is configured as a camera housing 6 with a holder 7 for supporting a camera unit 8 or the like. The camera unit 8 is suitably of a type configured to provide an image or video stream of the road in front of the vehicle 1. For this reason, the camera unit 8 comprises an image sensor device, a lens and a control unit. Such components are well known in the field of camera technology, and for this reason, they are not described in detail here. In this way, the camera unit 8 can be used, for example, in a vehicle system for detecting road conditions, for speed control, for navigation or in conjunction with a system for autonomous driving or similar fields of use. These technical fields are mentioned only as examples.

[0038] In addition, it should be noted that in Figure 2 The camera unit 8 is shown separately and in a schematic manner in FIG. 4 , because the camera unit 8 is normally sold and marketed as a separate piece of equipment from the carrier device 4 .

[0039] According to various embodiments, the camera housing 6 may be configured to support other units besides the camera unit 8, such as a radar device or other type of sensor that may be suitable for use in a detection system in a road vehicle.

[0040] The carrier device 4 is suitably configured with fastening means for attaching the camera housing 6 to the substrate 5. Such fastening means are not shown in detail in the present disclosure. According to known techniques, the fastening means may be constituted by a plurality of locking elements arranged on the camera housing 6 and configured to cooperate with corresponding elements arranged on the substrate 5.

[0041] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, the camera housing 6 is provided with cooling means in the form of a plurality of cooling fins 9 for absorbing heat that may be expected to be generated by the camera unit 8 and other associated components during operation.

[0042] refer to Figure 3 , shows a perspective view of a camera device 3 according to the present disclosure and in an exploded view. As described above, the camera housing 6 is configured to support the camera unit 8 and is also secured to the substrate 5. The substrate 5 is secured to the inside of the windshield ( Figure 3 Furthermore, an electronic unit 10 is mounted on the underside of the camera housing 6, for which reason the camera housing is formed to accommodate the electronic unit 10. The electronic unit 10 comprises components for controlling the operation of the camera unit 8.

[0043] According to the embodiment shown, the camera housing 6 is provided with a light barrier 6 a which may optionally be mounted on the camera housing 6 and which is adapted to reduce disturbing light towards the camera unit 8 .

[0044] Furthermore, the cover unit 11 is arranged on the lower side of the electronic unit 10. This means that the electronic unit 10 is usually enclosed by the camera housing 6 and the cover unit 11. In addition, on the lower side of the cover unit 11, a fan unit 12 is mounted. This means that the fan housing is defined on the lower side of the cover unit 11 by the fact that the cover unit 11 is arranged to accommodate the fan unit 12. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is described in further detail below (see in particular reference numeral 13 ).

[0045] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing how the electronic unit 10 is mounted in the camera housing 6. It should be noted that for reasons of clarity, Figure 3 compared to, Figure 4 The parts shown in FIG. 1 are inverted.

[0046] also, Figure 51 is a perspective view showing how a fan housing 13 is mounted on the camera housing 6, the fan housing being formed by the cover 11 and including the fan unit 12. Figure 3 compared to, Figure 5 The parts are also inverted. Figure 5 As shown, the electronic unit 10 is installed in the cavity formed by the camera housing 6, and a cover unit 11 is installed to cover the electronic unit 10, and the cover unit is also formed as a fan housing 13. The back side (ie, Figure 5 The upper side shown in FIG. 1 is formed to accommodate the fan unit 12. Figure 3 It is clear that the fan unit 12 is installed at the lowermost end of the camera device 3 when the camera device 3 is installed in the vehicle 1 during normal operation of the camera device 3 .

[0047] Figure 5 Also shown is the general design of the fan unit 12, ie comprising a fan wheel 12a and a fan motor 12b having a fan motor shaft 12c for operating the fan wheel 12a.

[0048] The fan wheel 12a is configured to force air heated by the camera device 3 into the interior of the vehicle 1. In addition, the fan motor 12b includes a fan motor shaft 12c connected to the fan wheel 12a. In addition, the fan motor shaft 12c is configured to have a substantially vertical orientation, i.e., extend along a substantially vertical axis, when the camera device 3 is installed in the vehicle 1 in its normal operating condition.

[0049] In addition, the fan housing 13 suitably includes a cover plate 17 that covers and encloses the fan wheel 12a, the fan motor 12b, and the fan motor shaft 12c. In other words, the fan unit 12 is installed below the cover plate 17.

[0050] Reference now Figure 6 , shows how to install the fan unit 12 so that it is supported by the fan housing 13. Figure 6 It is also shown that the fan housing 13 comprises means for cooling the air forced into the interior of the vehicle 1, i.e. for cooling the air heated by the components forming part of the camera arrangement 3. More precisely, the radiator fins 14 are formed as a plurality of guide fins 14 extending from the fan housing 13 and forming together an air duct for guiding the air from the fan 12a towards the interior of the vehicle, while cooling the air.

[0051] Furthermore, the fan housing 13 comprises a wall structure 15 which is formed to surround the fan wheel 12a and which is at least partially shaped as a wall for the fan unit 12. Suitably, the wall structure 15 is substantially circular in order to accommodate the fan wheel 12a. Figure 6As shown, the wall structure 15 is also formed to connect with the air ducts defined by the radiator fins 14 .

[0052] Thus, the fan housing 13 is formed with a wall structure 15 which forms part of the enclosing structure for the fan unit 12. This means that the fan unit 12 itself does not have to be formed with any walls or side structures to accommodate the fan wheel 12a.

[0053] As mentioned above, the fan motor shaft 12c is configured to have a substantially vertical orientation, i.e., along the imaginary axis 12d. According to one embodiment, the fan motor shaft 12c defines an angle α of less than 25° relative to the vertical axis 16. According to another embodiment, the fan motor shaft 12c defines an angle α of less than 5° relative to the vertical axis 16. This vertical orientation of the fan motor shaft 12c allows a compact camera device 3 that can be mounted inside a windshield in a space-saving manner, while allowing hot air to be directed away from the camera device 3.

[0054] according to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the embodiment shown in FIG, the fan housing 13 is shaped to have an air duct defined along the radiator fins 14, which thus defines a single outlet from the fan unit 12 to the vehicle interior. It should be noted that, appropriately, the fan wheel 12a is configured to force air in a direction substantially parallel to the windshield 2.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the fan housing 13 may be designed with several groups of radiator fans which thus define two or more outlets for air in two or more directions along the windshield.

[0056] refer to Figure 7 , shows a simplified side view of an embodiment, which includes a fan unit 12 having a fan wheel 12a and a fan motor 12b. According to this embodiment, the fan motor 12b is mounted on the bottom surface of the fan housing 13 so that the fan motor shaft 12c extends upward and substantially vertically, as described above. In addition, there is a space between the upper end of the fan motor shaft 12c and the lower side of the cover plate 17 in the vertical direction. In this way, the housing 18 is formed for the fan unit 12 in such a way that the housing 18 defines a usable space at its upper part between the upper end of the fan motor shaft 12c and the cover plate 17, and the usable space is used to guide the air above the fan unit 12 away (i.e., by passing through the fan wheel 12a), and for cooling. In addition, Figure 7 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is arranged so that the fan motor 12 b is arranged in a recessed section 19 on the bottom surface of the housing 18 .

[0057] Additionally, it should be noted that the fan motor 12b is not provided with any particular housing. Figure 6The wall structure 15 shown in FIG. 1 is used to enclose the fan motor 12 b.

[0058] Additionally, according to another embodiment, the fan housing may house more than one fan unit, with corresponding air outlets corresponding to the above-described embodiments.

[0059] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the fan motor shaft 12 c can be rotatably arranged in the fan motor 12 b via a fluid bearing, which allows for efficient operation of the fan unit 12 .

[0060] The present disclosure is not limited to the above examples but may vary freely within the scope of the appended claims.For example, the present disclosure may relate to different types of vehicles and different types of camera units.

[0061] In general, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure relates to a camera device 3 for installation in a vehicle 1, and the camera device includes a carrier device 4, the carrier device being configured to be attached to the vehicle 1 so as to support a camera housing 6 carrying a camera unit 8. The camera device 3 includes a fan unit 12 having a fan wheel 12a configured to force air heated by the camera device 3 into the interior of the vehicle 1 and a fan motor 12b for operating the fan wheel 12a. The fan motor 12b includes a fan motor shaft 12c, which is connected to the fan wheel 12a and is configured to have a generally vertical orientation when the camera device 3 is installed in the vehicle 1.

[0062] According to some aspects, the fan motor shaft 12c is disposed at an angle (α) of less than 25° relative to the vertical axis 16 .

[0063] According to some aspects, the fan motor shaft 12c is disposed at an angle (α) of less than 5° relative to the vertical axis 16 .

[0064] According to some aspects, the camera device 3 comprises a fan housing 13 supporting the fan unit 12 .

[0065] According to some aspects, fan housing 13 includes a means for cooling radiator fins 14 that are used to cool air that is forced into the interior of vehicle 1 .

[0066] According to some aspects, the fan housing 13 includes a cover unit 11 at least partially surrounding a fan wheel 12 a and includes a wall structure 15 for the fan unit 12 .

[0067] According to some aspects, fan housing 13 is shaped to have a single outlet that forces air in one direction or dual outlets that force air in two separate directions.

[0068] According to some aspects, the fan housing 13 is configured to be mounted on the underside of the camera housing 6 when the camera device 3 is installed in the vehicle 1 .

[0069] According to some aspects, the camera device 3 includes an electronics unit 10 that is configured to control the operation of the camera unit 8 and is arranged between the camera housing 6 and the fan housing 13 .

[0070] According to some aspects, fan motor shaft 12c can be rotatably disposed within fan motor 12b via a fluid bearing.

[0071] According to some aspects, the carrier device 4 includes a substrate 5 configured to be attached to the inside of a windshield 2 of the vehicle 1 .

[0072] According to some aspects, fan wheel 12 a is configured to force air in a direction substantially parallel to windshield 2 of vehicle 1 .

[0073] According to some aspects, the fan unit 12 is disposed in a housing 18 that defines a space for directing air past the fan wheel 12a.

Claims

1. A camera device (3) for installation in a vehicle (1), the camera device comprising a carrier device (4) configured to be attached to the vehicle (1) so as to support a camera housing (6) carrying a camera unit (8), the camera device (3) further comprising an electronics unit (10) and a fan unit (12) having a fan wheel (12a) and a fan motor (12b), the fan wheel being configured to force air heated by the camera device (3) into the interior of the vehicle (1), the fan motor being configured to operate the fan wheel (12a), characterized in that The cover unit (11) is arranged on the lower side of the electronic unit (10) so that the electronic unit (10) is enclosed by the camera housing (6) and the cover unit (11), and the fan unit (12) is mounted on the lower side of the cover unit (11) so that the cover unit (11) defines a fan housing (13) for the fan unit (12) on the lower side of the cover unit (11), wherein the fan motor (12b) includes a fan motor shaft (12c) connected to the fan wheel (12a) and configured to be rotated in the camera housing (6). The camera device (3) has a generally vertical orientation when installed in the vehicle (1), and wherein the fan housing (13) includes a radiator fin (14) arrangement for cooling air forced into the interior of the vehicle (1) and a wall structure (15), the wall structure (15) being formed to surround the fan wheel (12a), and the wall structure (15) being at least partially formed as a wall for the fan unit (12), the wall structure (15) being formed to connect to an air duct defined by the radiator fins (14) for directing air from the fan wheel (12a).

2. The camera device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The fan motor shaft (12c) is arranged at an angle α of less than 25° relative to the vertical axis (16).

3. The camera device (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that The fan motor shaft (12c) is arranged at an angle α of less than 5° relative to the vertical axis (16).

4. The camera device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The fan housing (13) supports the fan unit (12).

5. The camera device (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that The cover unit (11) at least partially surrounds the fan wheel (12a).

6. The camera device (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that The fan housing (13) is shaped to have a single outlet for forcing air in one direction or a dual outlet for forcing air in two separate directions.

7. The camera device (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that The fan housing (13) is configured to be mounted on the lower side of the camera housing (6) when the camera device (3) is installed in the vehicle (1).

8. The camera device (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that The electronic unit (10) is configured to control the operation of the camera unit (8) and is arranged between the camera housing (6) and the fan housing (13).

9. The camera device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The fan motor shaft (12c) is rotatably arranged in the fan motor (12b) via a fluid bearing.

10. The camera device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The carrier device (4) comprises a substrate (5) which is configured to be attached to the inner side of a windshield (2) of the vehicle (1).

11. The camera device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that The fan wheel (12a) is configured to force air in a direction substantially parallel to a windshield (2) of the vehicle (1).

12. The camera device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The fan unit (12) is arranged in a housing (18) which defines a space for directing air past the fan wheel (12a).

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