Externally mounted camera pod adapter

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a camera pod adapter assembly (100) comprising: a mounting side (102); at least one first fastener; at least one mounting bracket (116, 118); and wherein the at least one first fastener is attached to the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) through a hole (110, 112) in the adapter assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a camera pod adapter assembly. More specifically, this disclosure relates to the mounting of a camera pod on the exterior of a vehicle. This disclosure also relates to a vehicle incorporating such a camera pod adapter assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Current rearview mirror systems in motor vehicles, which allow drivers to observe indirect views, are being replaced by camera systems. To monitor the required observation area, camera systems must be arranged in a specific layout based on the vehicle's forward position and lateral distance. The specific mounting location and method of the camera pod adapter assembly may present disadvantages during installation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this disclosure is to further develop existing camera pod mounting devices to overcome the problems of the prior art.

[0004] This objective is achieved by providing a camera pod adapter assembly for attaching a camera pod assembly to a vehicle. The camera pod adapter assembly includes a mounting side, at least one first fastener, and at least one mounting bracket, wherein the at least one first fastener is attached to the at least one mounting bracket through a hole in the adapter assembly. The adapter assembly is provided with a mounting side for attaching the camera pod assembly and a vehicle side for attaching to the vehicle. The adapter assembly also includes at least one fastener and at least one mounting bracket, which cooperate to secure the adapter assembly to the attachment portion of the vehicle.

[0005] The camera pod adapter assembly of the present invention can be implemented in various ways, for example by one or more of the following features. The adapter assembly can give the at least one mounting bracket a first state and a second state. The at least one first fastener is configured to move the at least one mounting bracket from the first state to the second state. The at least one first fastener is also configured to move the at least one mounting bracket from the second state to the first state. At least one first hole is disposed substantially perpendicular to the at least one mounting bracket; at least one second fastener is configured to be inserted through the at least one first hole to secure the adapter assembly.

[0006] A general aspect of the adapter assembly may include at least one first hole and at least one second fastener. In one embodiment, the at least one first hole of the camera pod adapter assembly provided herein is disposed substantially perpendicular to the at least one mounting bracket. The at least one second fastener is configured to be inserted through the at least one first hole to secure the adapter assembly.

[0007] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the following description may be combined with each other in any technically advantageous manner, and other forms of this disclosure are listed. The features of this disclosure are further described in the specification, especially in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the disclosure is described in detail. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To better understand this disclosure, various forms of this disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 An isometric view of a camera pod adapter according to aspects of this disclosure is shown;

[0010] Figure 2 An isometric view of a camera pod adapter according to aspects of this disclosure is shown;

[0011] Figure 3 A side view of the mounting bracket for a camera pod adapter according to an aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0012] Figure 4 A side view of the mounting bracket for a camera pod adapter according to an aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0013] Figure 5 A close-up view of the mounting bracket and camera pod adapter according to aspects of this disclosure is depicted;

[0014] Figure 6 An isometric view of the attachment portion of a vehicle for attaching a camera pod adapter, according to aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0015] Figure 7 A perspective view showing the alignment of the camera pod adapter and attachment portion according to aspects of this disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 8 A perspective view showing the alignment of the mounting bracket and attachment portion of the camera pod adapter according to an aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 9 A side view of a camera pod adapter attached to an attachment portion of a vehicle according to aspects of this disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 10 A perspective view showing the alignment of the mounting bracket and attachment portion of the camera pod adapter according to an aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 11 A side view of the mounting bracket for the camera pod adapter in a first state according to aspects of this disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 12A side view of the mounting bracket for the camera pod adapter in a second state, according to aspects of this disclosure, is shown; and

[0021] Figure 13 A perspective view of a camera pod adapter mounted on an attachment portion of a vehicle, according to aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or its use. It should be understood that throughout these figures, corresponding reference numerals denote similar or corresponding parts and features. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 An isometric view of a camera pod adapter according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 The mounting side 102 of the camera pod adapter 100 is shown, providing a mounting point for a camera pod system (not shown). The camera pod system can be attached to the mounting side 102 of the camera pod adapter 100 via a camera pod system component 114. A hole 104 provides an opening for a wiring harness (not shown) to pass from the vehicle through the camera pod adapter 100 to the camera pod system. In other embodiments, the camera pod system may be equipped with an integrated self-cleaning system, which would require conduits for cleaning fluids that can pass through the hole 104. Screws 106 and 108 are provided and can be rotated to tighten mounting brackets 116 and 118 (e.g., ...) respectively. Figure 2 (As shown). Holes 110 and 112 provide openings through which fasteners (not shown) can be inserted to secure the camera pod adapter 100 to the exterior of the vehicle. In this embodiment, screws 106 and 108 are depicted as screws; however, in other embodiments, screws 106 and 108 may be any other known fasteners or fastening methods.

[0024] Figure 2 An isometric view of a camera pod adapter according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2The image shows the vehicle side 120 of the camera pod adapter 100. Mounting bracket 116 includes a threaded insert into which screw 106 is inserted. When screw 106 is turned clockwise, it pulls mounting bracket 116 toward camera pod adapter 100, and when screw 106 is turned counterclockwise, it pushes mounting bracket 116 away from camera pod adapter 100. Similarly, mounting bracket 118 includes a threaded insert into which screw 108 is inserted such that when screw 108 is turned clockwise, mounting bracket 118 is pulled toward camera pod adapter 100, and when screw 108 is turned counterclockwise, mounting bracket 118 is pushed away from camera pod adapter 100. It should be noted that the described rotation of screws 106 and 108 is exemplary in nature and the directions can be easily reversed. Furthermore, it will be apparent to any person skilled in the art that any number of different fastening methods can be used to retract or extend each of the mounting brackets 116 and 118 away from or toward the camera pod adapter 100. The pad 122 is arranged such that it can be positioned on the vehicle side 120 of the camera pod adapter 100. Figure 6 A seal is provided between the surfaces of the attachment portion 600. In this example variant, the camera pod adapter 100 includes two mounting brackets: mounting bracket 116 and mounting bracket 118. However, in other example variants, the camera pod adapter 100 requires at least one or more mounting brackets.

[0025] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A side view of the mounting bracket for a camera pod adapter according to an aspect of this disclosure is shown. Figure 3 The image depicts screws 106 and 108 being turned so that mounting brackets 116 and 118 are in a first state in which they extend a maximum distance away from the camera pod adapter 100. Figure 4 The image depicts screws 106 and 108 being turned so that mounting brackets 116 and 118 are in a second state, in which these mounting brackets are retracted so that they are at a minimum distance from the camera pod adapter 100, i.e., in a position opposite to the first state.

[0026] Figure 5A close-up view of a mounting bracket and camera pod adapter according to aspects of this disclosure is depicted. The mounting bracket 118 is attached to a screw 108, which can be used to move the mounting bracket 118 from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state. As shown, the camera pod adapter 100 further includes guides 502 and 504. Guides 502 and 504 are secured to the camera pod adapter 100 such that guide 502 extends into hole 506 and guide 504 extends into hole 508, wherein holes 506 and 508 are located on the mounting bracket 118. Guides 502 and 504 stabilize the mounting bracket 118 such that the mounting bracket remains fixed in place during installation of the camera pod adapter 100, as further referenced. Figures 6 to 13 The installation will be discussed further. Mounting bracket 116 also has guides and holes that are similar in form and function to guides 502, guides 504, holes 506 and 508. However, for clarity, only exemplary guides for stabilizing mounting bracket 118 are shown in the following figures.

[0027] Figure 6 An isometric view of an attachment portion 600 of a vehicle for attaching a camera pod adapter 100 according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. The attachment portion 600 can be located on the vehicle to which the camera pod is to be attached. Hole 602 provides an opening for a wiring harness or conduit (not shown) to pass from the vehicle through the camera pod adapter 100 to the camera pod system. Hole 604 provides an opening through which a mounting bracket 118 can be inserted, and hole 608 provides an opening through which a mounting bracket 116 can be inserted. Slot 606 connects to hole 604 and provides space for an adjusting screw. Slot 610 connects to hole 608 to provide space for an adjusting screw 106. Fasteners (not shown) can be inserted through hole 110 of the camera pod adapter 100 into hole 612 and through hole 112 of the camera pod adapter 100 into hole 614 to secure the camera pod adapter 100 to the attachment portion 600.

[0028] Figure 7 A perspective view showing the alignment of the camera pod adapter 100 and the attachment portion 600 according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. For the camera pod adapter 100 to be mounted at the attachment portion 600, mounting brackets 116 and 118 must be in a first state in which both mounting brackets are at their maximum distance from the camera pod adapter 100. In the first state, mounting bracket 116 is aligned such that it can be inserted through hole 604, and mounting bracket 118 is aligned such that it can be inserted through hole 608. It is possible to... Figures 8 to 9The alignment of mounting bracket 116 with hole 604 and mounting bracket 118 with hole 608 can be seen more clearly in the image. When mounting bracket 116 is inserted through hole 604 and mounting bracket 118 is inserted through hole 608, there is a distance between the camera pod adapter 100 and the mounting attachment portion 600. This distance is... Figure 9 The distance is shown as 900.

[0029] Aligning the mounting brackets 116 and 118 of the camera pod adapter 100 through their respective holes means that a portion of screw 106, guides 502 and 504 will pass through hole 604, and a portion of screw 108 and its corresponding guide will pass through hole 608. Once the mounting brackets 116 and 118 have extended through their respective holes as described above, the camera pod adapter 100 can be mounted onto the attachment portion 600. To mount the camera pod adapter 100 onto the attachment portion 600, screw 106, guides 502 and 504 are repositioned from hole 604 into slot 606, while screw 108 and the corresponding guide of mounting bracket 116 are repositioned from hole 608 into slot 610, thereby allowing the vehicle side 120 of the camera pod adapter 100 to rest against the surface of the attachment portion 600, such as... Figure 10-11 As shown. The lengths of slots 606 and 610 correspond to Figure 9 The distance 900 is such that as the camera pod adapter 100 moves toward the attachment portion 600, the distance 900 decreases until the camera pod adapter 100 contacts the attachment portion 600. The distance 900 is approximately zero at the point of contact.

[0030] In this way, installing the camera pod adapter 100 onto the attachment portion 600 is much easier compared to current technology. Conventional adapters do not include mounting brackets 116 or 118, typically only including screws 106 and 108. During installation, the camera pod adapter 100 must be held in place while adjusting screws 106 and 108 to align them with corresponding holes on the attachment portion 600. This can be difficult for a person to perform, as one hand is needed to hold the camera pod adapter 100 in place. Aligning and turning screws 106 and 108 must be done with a single free hand while holding a screwdriver, drill bit, or other device that turns screws 106 and 108 into their respective holes.

[0031] like Figure 11As shown, once the vehicle side 120 of the camera pod adapter 100 is brought against the surface of the attachment portion 600, screws 106 and 108 are rotated to move mounting brackets 116 and 118 from a first state to a second state, in which the mounting brackets are moved away from the camera pod adapter 100 by a minimum distance. When moving from the first state to the second state, mounting brackets 116 and 118 translate toward the camera pod adapter 100. The camera pod adapter 100 translates against the surface of the attachment portion 600 by moving screws 106, guides 502 and 504 into slots 606 and by moving screws 108 and the corresponding guides of mounting bracket 116 into slots 610. Thus, mounting brackets 116 and 118 no longer move as previously... Figure 10 Align it with hole 604 or hole 608 as shown. In the second state, mounting bracket 116 and mounting bracket 118 abut against the inner surface of attachment portion 600, thereby securing the camera pod adapter 100 in place.

[0032] Figure 12 A camera pod adapter, according to aspects of this disclosure, is shown attached to an attachment portion of a vehicle. After mounting brackets 116 and 118 are in their second state and the camera pod adapter 100 is held against the attachment portion 600, it can be accessed through hole 110 (…). Figure 2 Insert the fastener (not shown) into hole 612. Figure 6 In, and through hole 112 ( Figure 2 Insert the fastener into hole 614. Figure 6 Then, tighten the fasteners to secure the camera pod adapter 100 to the attachment portion 600. The camera pod adapter 100 is secured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the mounting brackets 116 and 118 by inserting fasteners through holes 110 and 112 into holes 612 and 614. Mounting brackets 116 and 118 secure the camera pod adapter 100 by applying force to the attachment portion 600 through adjacent slots 606 and 610. However, if only mounting brackets 116 and 118 are used, the camera pod adapter 100 can be removed by applying an upward force relative to it. Removal of the camera pod adapter 100 from the attachment portion 600 by applying an upward force is prevented by using fasteners through holes 110 into hole 612 and through hole 112 into hole 614.

[0033] As each through hole 110 and hole 112 in the fasteners is inserted and the mounting brackets 116 and 118 are adjusted to the second state, the gasket 122 is compressed between the camera pod adapter 100 and the outer surface of the attachment portion 600. Once fully compressed, the gasket 122 is able to seal any opening between the camera pod adapter 100 and the attachment portion 600 to prevent contaminants from the external atmosphere from entering the equipped vehicle.

[0034] The foregoing description of various preferred embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many modifications and variations can be made in accordance with the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments described above were chosen and are intended to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications suitable for the particular intended use. The various features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, drawings, and claims, whether individually or in any combination, are essential for the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

[0035] List of reference numerals

[0036] 100-Camera Pod Adapter

[0037] 102-Installation Side

[0038] 104-hole

[0039] 106-screw

[0040] 108-screw

[0041] 110-hole

[0042] 112-hole

[0043] 114-Installation Components

[0044] 116-Mounting bracket

[0045] 118-Mounting Bracket

[0046] 120-Vehicle Side

[0047] 122-Pad

[0048] 502 - Guide

[0049] 504 - Guide

[0050] 506-hole

[0051] 508-hole

[0052] 600-Attachment

[0053] 602-hole

[0054] 604-hole

[0055] 606-slot

[0056] 608-hole

[0057] 610-slot

[0058] 612-hole

[0059] 614-hole

[0060] 900-distance

Claims

1. A camera pod adapter assembly (100), comprising: Mounting side (102); At least one first fastener; At least one mounting bracket (116, 118); wherein the at least one first fastener is attached to the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) through a hole (110, 112) in the camera pod adapter assembly. At least one first hole (506, 508) and at least one second fastener; wherein the at least one first hole (506, 508) is disposed substantially perpendicular to the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118); and wherein the at least one second fastener is configured to be inserted through the at least one first hole (506, 508) to secure the camera pod adapter assembly; and At least one guide (502, 504) extends into the at least one first hole (506, 508) to stabilize the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) such that the at least one mounting bracket remains fixed during installation of the camera pod adapter assembly (100).

2. The camera pod adapter assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) has a first state and a second state.

3. The camera pod adapter assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one first fastener is configured to move the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) from the first state to the second state; and wherein the at least one first fastener is configured to move the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) from the second state to the first state.

4. The camera pod adapter assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein, In the first state, the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) extends a maximum distance away from the camera pod adapter assembly (100), and in the second state, the at least one mounting bracket (116, 118) retracts to a minimum distance away from the camera pod adapter assembly (100).

5. The camera pod adapter assembly (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The camera pod adapter assembly moves from the first state to the second state toward the attachment portion (600) on the vehicle until the camera pod adapter assembly (100) makes firm contact with the attachment portion (600).

6. The camera pod adapter assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, A pad is also provided to provide a seal between the vehicle side (120) of the camera pod adapter assembly (100) and the surface of the attachment portion (600) located on the vehicle.

7. A vehicle comprising a camera pod adapter assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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