Electronic rearview mirror, vehicle, and control method for a vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses an electronic rearview mirror, a vehicle and a control method of the vehicle. The electronic rearview mirror comprises a shell, a camera assembly rotatably arranged in the shell, and a driving mechanism arranged in the shell and used for driving the camera assembly to rotate. In the application, the driving mechanism is used for driving the camera assembly to rotate along the rotation axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle during the switching of the vehicle in different driving states, so that the lens output pixels of the camera assembly are minimized, the diameter of the lens and the size of the photosensitive chip are minimized, and the cost of the electronic rearview mirror is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular relates to an electronic rearview mirror, a vehicle and a vehicle control method. Background Art

[0002] The image input and output principle of an electronic rearview mirror is to capture digital signals through a lens, convert them through a controller, and display the image on a monitor. In theory, the input pixel count of the image should be equal to or greater than the output pixel count. If the lens input pixel count is less than the monitor output pixel count, the pixel difference must be compensated to meet the monitor display output. Existing electronic rearview mirrors are typically designed with lens pixels much higher than those required for normal, temporarily magnified, and reverse vision to meet vehicle safety observation requirements. This results in a larger lens diameter and the required larger photosensitive chip, leading to high costs for electronic rearview mirrors. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides an electronic rearview mirror, wherein a camera assembly of the electronic rearview mirror rotates to different angles according to the driving state of the vehicle, thereby minimizing the output pixels of the camera assembly lens.

[0004] The present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising the above-mentioned electronic rearview mirror.

[0005] The present invention also provides a vehicle control method, which includes the above-mentioned vehicle.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic rearview mirror includes: a housing; a camera assembly, which is rotatably arranged in the housing, and the rotation axis of the camera assembly extends along the width direction of the vehicle; and a driving mechanism, which is arranged in the housing and is used to drive the camera assembly to rotate.

[0007] According to the electronic rearview mirror of an embodiment of the present invention, when the vehicle switches between different driving states, the driving mechanism drives the camera assembly to rotate along the rotation axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle, thereby minimizing the lens output pixels of the camera assembly, thereby minimizing the lens diameter and the size of the photosensitive chip, and reducing the cost of the electronic rearview mirror.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the driving mechanism includes: a driving member connected to the housing; and a transmission assembly connected to the camera assembly and an output end of the driving member.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the driving member is a driving motor, and the transmission assembly comprises a transmission rod, one end of the transmission rod being connected with an output shaft of the driving motor; a gear sleeve, the gear sleeve being arranged on the transmission rod, the gear sleeve being fixed relative to the transmission rod, and the camera assembly being connected with the gear sleeve.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the gear sleeve is two gear sleeves spaced apart along the axial direction of the transmission rod, and at least part of the camera assembly is located between the two gear sleeves and connected with both of the gear sleeves.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, one of the transmission rod and the gear sleeve is provided with a limiting groove, and the other is provided with a limiting protrusion matched with the limiting groove, for limiting movement of the gear sleeve along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod; and / or, the transmission rod is provided with a limiting structure, and both sides of the gear sleeve in the axial direction are provided with the limiting structure, for limiting movement of the gear sleeve along the axial direction of the transmission rod.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the electronic rearview mirror further comprises a fixing support arranged in the shell, and the end of the transmission rod away from the driving motor is rotationally connected with the fixing support.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the driving motor is a direct current motor.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the camera assembly comprises a camera and a protective shell arranged outside the camera.

[0015] The vehicle according to the embodiments of the present application comprises the electronic rearview mirror described above.

[0016] The vehicle according to the embodiments of the present application is provided with the electronic rearview mirror, and in the process of switching of the vehicle in different driving states, the camera assembly is driven to rotate by the driving mechanism along the rotation axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle, so as to realize minimization of the lens output pixels of the camera assembly, thereby realizing minimization of the lens diameter and the size of the photosensitive chip, and reducing the cost of the electronic rearview mirror.

[0017] According to the control method of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in the normal driving state, the driving mechanism drives the camera assembly to rotate to the first position; and when the vehicle is in the reversing state, the driving mechanism drives the camera assembly to rotate to the second position. In the first position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle. In the second position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly extends downward along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear lower side of the vehicle. The control method can realize different rotating angles of the camera assembly according to different driving states of the vehicle, minimize the output pixels of the lens of the camera assembly, minimize the diameter of the lens and the size of the photosensitive chip, and thus reduce the cost of the electronic rearview mirror.

[0018] According to the control method of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in the normal driving state, the driving mechanism drives the camera assembly to rotate to the first position; and when the vehicle is in the reversing state, the driving mechanism drives the camera assembly to rotate to the second position. In the first position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle. In the second position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly extends downward along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear lower side of the vehicle. The control method can realize different rotating angles of the camera assembly according to different driving states of the vehicle, minimize the output pixels of the lens of the camera assembly, minimize the diameter of the lens and the size of the photosensitive chip, and thus reduce the cost of the electronic rearview mirror.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and / or can be learned by practice of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the application will become apparent and be readily understood by considering the following detailed description, including the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an electronic rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the application;

[0022] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of an electronic rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the application, in which the camera assembly is rotated to the first position;

[0023] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of an electronic rearview mirror according to an embodiment of the application, in which the camera assembly is rotated to the second position;

[0024] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a control method of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the application.

[0025] REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0026] 100, electronic rearview mirror;

[0027] 1, camera assembly; 11, camera; 12, protective shell; 121, third mounting hole;

[0028] 2, driving mechanism; 21, driving piece; 211, second mounting hole; 22, transmission assembly; 221, transmission rod; 222, gear sleeve;

[0029] 3, fixed support; 31, first mounting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which the same or similar components have the same reference numerals throughout the several views. The embodiments described below are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present application. In addition, the features defined as "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified and limited, the term "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0032] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] The electronic rearview mirror 100 according to the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0034] As Figures 1-3As shown, the electronic rearview mirror 100 according to an embodiment of the present application comprises a housing (not shown in the figure), a camera assembly 1 and a driving mechanism 2. The camera assembly 1 is rotatably arranged in the housing, and the rotation axis of the camera assembly 1 extends along the width direction of the vehicle. The driving mechanism 2 is arranged in the housing and is used to drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate.

[0035] It can be understood that when the vehicle is in the normal driving state, such as Figure 2 As shown, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate along the rotation axis extending along the width direction of the vehicle, so that the axis of the lens of the camera assembly 1 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle, so as to meet the requirements of the driver in the normal driving state. When the vehicle is in the reversing state, such as Figure 3 As shown, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate along the rotation axis extending along the width direction of the vehicle, so that the axis of the lens of the camera assembly 1 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle, so as to meet the requirements of the driver in the normal driving state. When the vehicle is in the reversing state, such as

[0036] For example, the normal driving field of view of the vehicle is about 1 million pixels, corresponding to the output of 1 million pixels of the monitor, the temporary enlarged field of view is about 2 million pixels, and the reversing field of view is about 3 million pixels. Due to the fact that the reversing field of view faces downward, the required pixels of the lens are greatly increased. When multiple fields of view are combined in one lens, the required pixels can reach more than 5 million. However, according to the electronic rearview mirror 100 of the present application, in different driving states of the vehicle, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate along the rotation axis extending along the width direction of the vehicle. According to the calculation that the output pixels of the monitor are 1 million, the electronic rearview mirror 100 of the present application only needs a lens with 2 million pixels.

[0037] Meanwhile, by arranging the camera assembly 1 and the driving mechanism 2 in the housing, the camera assembly 1 and the driving mechanism 2 are protected, and the reliability of the electronic rearview mirror 100 is improved.

[0038] According to the electronic rearview mirror 100 of the present application, in the process of switching the vehicle in different driving states, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate along the rotation axis extending along the width direction of the vehicle, so as to minimize the output pixels of the lens of the camera assembly 1, thereby minimizing the diameter of the lens and the size of the photosensitive chip, and reducing the cost of the electronic rearview mirror 100.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present application, asFigure 1 As shown in the figure, the driving mechanism 2 comprises a driving member 21 and a transmission assembly 22. The driving member 21 is connected with the shell, and the transmission assembly 22 is connected with the camera assembly 1 and the output end of the driving member 21. Thus, in the process of switching the vehicle in different driving states, the transmission assembly 22 is driven by the output end of the driving member 21 to rotate with the camera assembly 1, so as to realize the minimization of the lens output pixels of the camera assembly 1.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in the figure, Figure 1 The driving member 21 is a driving motor, and the transmission assembly 22 comprises a transmission rod 221 and a gear sleeve 222. One end of the transmission rod 221 is connected with the output shaft of the driving motor, the gear sleeve 222 is arranged on the transmission rod 221, the gear sleeve 222 is fixed relative to the transmission rod 221, and the camera assembly 1 is connected with the gear sleeve 222. Thus, in the process of switching the vehicle in different driving states, the transmission rod 221 is driven by the output shaft of the driving motor to rotate to drive the gear sleeve 222 to rotate, and then drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate, so as to realize the minimization of the lens output pixels of the camera assembly 1. It should be noted that the transmission assembly 22 is not limited to this, and can also be other structures such as gears and transmissions.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in the figure, Figure 1 The gear sleeve 222 is two gear sleeves spaced apart along the axial direction of the transmission rod 221, and at least part of the camera assembly 1 is located between the two gear sleeves 222 and connected with both of the two gear sleeves 222. Thus, the transmission rod 221 is driven by the output shaft of the driving motor to rotate to drive the two gear sleeves 222 to rotate, and the two gear sleeves 222 drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate, further ensuring the stability of the rotation process of the camera assembly 1 and improving the reliability of the rotation axis of the camera assembly 1 extending along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0042] Further, the gear sleeve 222 close to the driving motor is connected with the output shaft of the driving motor, so that the output shaft of the driving motor drives the transmission rod 221 and the gear sleeve 222 close to the driving motor, the transmission rod 221 drives the gear sleeve 222 away from the driving motor to rotate, and the two gear sleeves 222 drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate, thereby further ensuring the rotation of the camera assembly 1 and improving the reliability.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, one of the transmission rod 221 and the gear sleeve 222 is provided with a limiting groove, and the other is provided with a limiting protrusion matched with the limiting groove, for limiting the movement of the gear sleeve 222 along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod 221; and / or, the transmission rod 221 is provided with a limiting structure, and the gear sleeve 222 is provided with a limiting structure on both sides in the axial direction, for limiting the movement of the gear sleeve 222 along the axial direction of the transmission rod 221.

[0044] Specifically, one of the transmission rod 221 and the gear sleeve 222 is provided with a limiting groove, and the other is provided with a limiting protrusion matched with the limiting groove, for limiting the gear sleeve 222 from moving along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod 221. Thus, by the cooperation of the limiting groove and the limiting protrusion, the gear sleeve 222 is now limited from moving along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod 221, so as to avoid the gear sleeve 222 from moving along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod 221 when the transmission rod 221 drives the gear sleeve 222 to rotate, thereby ensuring the gear sleeve 222 to drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate.

[0045] Alternatively, the transmission rod 221 is provided with a limiting structure, and the gear sleeve 222 is provided with a limiting structure on both sides in the axial direction, for limiting the gear sleeve 222 from moving along the axial direction of the transmission rod 221. Thus, by such a setting, the gear sleeve 222 is avoided from moving along the axial direction of the transmission rod 221 when the transmission rod 221 drives the gear sleeve 222 to rotate, thereby ensuring the gear sleeve 222 to drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate.

[0046] Alternatively, one of the transmission rod 221 and the gear sleeve 222 is provided with a limiting groove, and the other is provided with a limiting protrusion matched with the limiting groove, for limiting the gear sleeve 222 from moving along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod 221, and the transmission rod 221 is provided with a limiting structure, and the gear sleeve 222 is provided with a limiting structure on both sides in the axial direction, for limiting the gear sleeve 222 from moving along the axial direction of the transmission rod 221. Thus, by such a setting, the gear sleeve 222 is avoided from moving along the axial direction of the transmission rod 221 and the gear sleeve 222 from moving along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod 221 when the transmission rod 221 drives the gear sleeve 222 to rotate, thereby ensuring the gear sleeve 222 to drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figures 1-3 The electronic rearview mirror 100 further comprises a fixed support 3. The fixed support 3 is arranged in the housing, and the end of the transmission rod 221 away from the driving motor is rotationally connected with the fixed support 3. Thus, by such a setting, the reliability of the rotation of the transmission rod 221 is improved, thereby improving the reliability of the rotation of the camera assembly 1.

[0048] Further, the fixed support 3 is provided with a first mounting hole 31, and the driving member 21 is provided with a second mounting hole 211. The first bolt realizes the connection between the fixed support 3 and the housing through the first mounting hole 31, and the second bolt realizes the connection between the driving member 21 and the housing through the second mounting hole 211, further improving the reliability of the electronic rearview mirror 100.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present application, the driving motor is a direct current motor. Since the direct current motor can rotate at a constant speed after a voltage is applied, and the rotation speed of the output end of the direct current motor can be determined according to the size of the applied voltage. Therefore, by setting the driving motor as a direct current motor, the rotation speed of the output shaft of the driving motor driving the transmission rod 221 is changed by changing the size of the applied voltage during the switching of the vehicle in different driving states, and then the camera assembly 1 is driven to rotate at a constant speed by the gear sleeve 222, thereby improving the reliability of the electronic rearview mirror 100.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 1 The camera assembly 1 includes a camera 11 and a protective shell 12 sleeved outside the camera 11. Thus, the camera 11 is protected by the protective shell 12 to improve the reliability of the electronic rearview mirror 100, and the driving mechanism 2 drives the protective shell 12 to rotate and then drives the camera 11 to rotate.

[0051] Further, the protective shell 12 is provided with a third mounting hole 121, and the third bolt realizes the connection between the protective shell 12 and the gear sleeve 222 through the third mounting hole 121. Thus, the gear sleeve 222 drives the protective shell 12 to rotate by driving the transmission rod 221 of the output shaft of the driving motor to rotate, thereby realizing the rotation of the camera 11.

[0052] The vehicle of the embodiments of the present application is described below.

[0053] According to the vehicle of the embodiments of the present application, the electronic rearview mirror 100 described above is provided.

[0054] According to the vehicle of the embodiments of the present application, the electronic rearview mirror 100 is provided, and during the switching of the vehicle in different driving states, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate along the rotation axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle, realizes the minimization of the lens output pixels of the camera assembly 1, and thus realizes the minimization of the lens diameter and the size of the photosensitive chip, thereby reducing the cost of the electronic rearview mirror 100.

[0055] The control method of the vehicle of the embodiments of the present application is described below.

[0056] According to the vehicle control method of the embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 4 The vehicle is the vehicle described above, and the control method includes:

[0057] The driving state of the vehicle is obtained. The driving state of the vehicle can be obtained according to the vehicle controller, and the subsequent execution steps are determined according to the different driving states of the vehicle.

[0058] When the vehicle is in normal driving state, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate to the first position. Wherein, the vehicle controller judges the driving state of the vehicle as normal driving state, controls the driving mechanism 2 to drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate to the first position, so as to meet the field of view required by the driver in the normal driving state.

[0059] When the vehicle is in reverse state, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate to the second position. Wherein, the vehicle controller judges the driving state of the vehicle as reverse state through the reverse gear, controls the driving mechanism 2 to drive the camera assembly 1 to rotate to the second position, so as to meet the field of view required by the driver in the reverse state.

[0060] Wherein, in the first position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly 1 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle, and in the second position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly 1 extends downward along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear lower side of the vehicle.

[0061] Therefore, the rotation angle of the camera assembly 1 is different according to the different driving states of the vehicle, so as to minimize the output pixels of the lens of the camera assembly 1, minimize the diameter of the lens and the size of the photosensitive chip, and further reduce the cost of the electronic rearview mirror 100.

[0062] According to the vehicle control method of the embodiment of the application, when the vehicle is in normal driving state, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate to the first position; when the vehicle is in reverse state, the driving mechanism 2 drives the camera assembly 1 to rotate to the second position, wherein, in the first position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly 1 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle, and in the second position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly 1 extends downward along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear lower side of the vehicle, so as to realize the rotation angle of the camera assembly 1 is different according to the different driving states of the vehicle, so as to minimize the output pixels of the lens of the camera assembly 1, minimize the diameter of the lens and the size of the photosensitive chip, and further reduce the cost of the electronic rearview mirror 100.

[0063] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiment", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the exemplary description of the above terms does not necessarily mean the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0064] While embodiments of the application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are merely divergences of the principles and application of the present application and that numerous modifications, changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic rearview mirror, characterized in that: include: shell; A camera assembly (1), the camera assembly (1) being rotatably disposed in the housing, the rotation axis of the camera assembly (1) extending along the width direction of the vehicle; A drive mechanism (2), wherein the drive mechanism (2) is arranged in the housing, the drive mechanism (2) comprises a drive motor and a transmission assembly (22) connected to the housing, the transmission assembly (22) comprises a transmission rod (221) and a gear sleeve (222), the gear sleeve (222) is arranged on the transmission rod (221), the gear sleeve (222) and the transmission rod (221) are relatively fixed, one end of the transmission rod (221) is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor, the gear sleeves (222) are spaced apart along the axial direction of the transmission rod (221), the gear sleeve (222) close to the drive motor is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor, and at least a portion of the camera assembly (1) is located between the two gear sleeves (222) and is connected to both gear sleeves (222).

2. The electronic rearview mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the transmission rod (221) and the gear sleeve (222) is provided with a limiting groove, and the other is provided with a limiting protrusion that cooperates with the limiting groove, for limiting the movement of the gear sleeve (222) along the circumferential direction of the transmission rod (221). And / or, a limiting structure is provided on the transmission rod (221), and the limiting structure is provided on both sides of the gear sleeve (222) in the axial direction, for limiting the movement of the gear sleeve (222) along the axial direction of the transmission rod (221).

3. The electronic rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein: The electronic rearview mirror further comprises: A fixed bracket (3) is provided in the housing, and one end of the transmission rod (221) away from the drive motor is rotatably connected to the fixed bracket (3).

4. The electronic rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein: The driving motor is a DC motor.

5. The electronic rearview mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera assembly (1) comprises a camera (11) and a protective shell (12) sleeved outside the camera (11).

6. A vehicle, characterized in that: The electronic rearview mirror comprises the electronic rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A vehicle control method, characterized in that: The vehicle is the vehicle according to claim 6, and the control method includes: Get the vehicle's driving status; When the vehicle is in a normal driving state, the driving mechanism (2) drives the camera assembly (1) to rotate to a first position; When the vehicle is in a reverse state, the driving mechanism (2) drives the camera assembly (1) to rotate to a second position. Wherein, when in the first position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly (1) extends along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear side of the vehicle; when in the second position, the axis of the lens of the camera assembly (1) extends downward along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and the lens faces the rear lower side of the vehicle.

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