On-vehicle camera and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a vehicle-mounted camera device and a vehicle. The vehicle-mounted camera device comprises a camera and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a driving piece and a transmission assembly connected with the driving piece. The driving piece and the camera are jointly arranged on the same carrier. The driving piece is used for driving the transmission assembly to move, so that the transmission assembly drives the driving piece and the camera as a whole to move between a first position and a second position. The camera is configured to be hidden in a cover in the first position and to be exposed through the cover in the second position. The camera can be exposed through the cover to shoot environmental images in a working state and can be hidden in the cover in a non-working state, so as to reduce contamination of the camera. The driving piece and the camera can move as a whole, so that the overall structure of the vehicle-mounted camera device is more compact, and the miniaturization of the vehicle-mounted camera device is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive technology, and more particularly to an in-vehicle camera device and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of automotive technology, cars now possess functions such as assisted driving and safe driving. Cars can utilize cameras to capture images of their surroundings, enabling these functions. However, some car cameras are typically exposed, making them susceptible to contamination from water, dust, and other contaminants, which can affect their normal operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the problem of easy contamination of cameras in related technologies, the present invention provides a concealable vehicle-mounted camera device, which makes the camera less susceptible to contamination by sewage, dust and other contaminants, and maintains a clear and stable shooting effect.

[0004] The vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a camera and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a driving member and a transmission assembly connected to the driving member. The driving member and the camera are jointly disposed on the same carrier. The driving member is used to drive the transmission assembly to move, so that the transmission assembly drives the driving member and the camera as a whole to move between a first position and a second position. The camera is configured to be hidden inside a cover when it is in the first position and exposed through the cover when it is in the second position.

[0005] In the vehicle-mounted camera device of this application embodiment, the camera can be exposed through the cover to capture environmental images when it is working, and the camera can be hidden inside the cover when it is not working, thereby reducing the contamination of the camera; in addition, the driving component and the camera are jointly mounted on the same carrier, so that the driving component and the camera can move as a whole, making the overall structure of the vehicle-mounted camera device more compact and conducive to the miniaturization of the vehicle-mounted camera device.

[0006] In some implementations, the motion trajectory of the drive unit and the camera as a whole between the first position and the second position is arc-shaped.

[0007] Common driving components are typically electric motors, providing the power for rotation, while transmission components are usually gears. Compared to linear motion trajectories, circular or arc-shaped motion trajectories for both the driving components and the camera are easier to achieve. Furthermore, for the same length of motion trajectory, an arc-shaped trajectory occupies less space and has a more compact structure, which is beneficial for miniaturizing vehicle-mounted camera devices.

[0008] In some embodiments, the transmission assembly includes a housing and a transmission mechanism disposed within the housing. The housing has an arc-shaped guide groove, and the driving component includes a rotating shaft that passes through the housing and is connected to the transmission mechanism. The rotating shaft moves along the extension direction of the arc-shaped guide groove.

[0009] In this way, the housing can partially or completely cover the transmission mechanism, providing waterproofing and dustproofing, and protecting the transmission mechanism inside the housing. The arc-shaped guide groove on the housing guides the movement of the drive components and the camera, making the camera's movement more stable.

[0010] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear and a second gear meshing with the first gear. The first gear is mounted on the housing, and the second gear is connected to a rotating shaft. The drive unit drives the second gear to revolve around the first gear via the rotating shaft, thereby driving the drive unit and the camera as a whole to move.

[0011] In this way, the transmission mechanism can achieve a stable transmission effect through the rotation of gears.

[0012] In some embodiments, a bracket is provided on the housing for securing the housing to a structural component of the vehicle.

[0013] In this way, the bracket can fix the camera device in a fixed position on the vehicle, keeping the housing in a stable position.

[0014] In some implementations, the cover includes the vehicle's front bumper. The vehicle-mounted camera may be mounted on the front bumper, with the camera positioned facing forward of the vehicle.

[0015] In this way, by installing the vehicle-mounted camera device in front of the vehicle, the camera can capture images of the environment in front of the vehicle.

[0016] In some embodiments, the vehicle-mounted camera device includes a soft protective element disposed on a cover, the soft protective element being located in the movement path of the camera, and wiping the camera as it moves.

[0017] In this way, the soft protective part can be used to wipe the camera clean during camera movement, resulting in clearer shooting results.

[0018] In some implementations, when the camera is in the first position, the soft protective element rests against the camera.

[0019] In this way, the camera is not in the primary position when it is not in use, and is covered and hidden by the cover. The soft protective part can protect the camera from water and dust.

[0020] In some embodiments, a mounting element is provided on the cover, and a soft protective element is provided on the side of the mounting element opposite to the cover.

[0021] In this way, soft protective components can be installed and fixed on the cover, and the mounting components can be set to a size and material specifically for soft protective components, making the installation and replacement of soft protective components easier.

[0022] The vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention includes the vehicle-mounted camera device of any of the above embodiments.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the working state of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a side view of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is the internal structure of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the camera and driver according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of key component symbols: Vehicle 1000, vehicle-mounted camera device 100, carrier 110, camera 10, lens 101, drive mechanism 20, cover 30, housing 40, drive component 21, transmission assembly 22, adjustment motor 211, transmission mechanism 220, rotating shaft 212, first gear 221, second gear 222, arc-shaped guide rail groove 41, bracket 50, gasket 51, front bumper 31, soft protective component 60, mounting component 70. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows for communication; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0030] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0031] Please see Figures 1-4 The vehicle-mounted camera device 100 of this invention includes a camera 10 and a drive mechanism 20. The drive mechanism 20 includes a drive member 21 and a transmission assembly 22 connected to the drive member 21. The drive member 21 and the camera 10 are jointly disposed on the same carrier 110. The drive member 21 drives the transmission assembly 22 to move, so that the transmission assembly 22 drives the drive member 21 and the camera 10 as a whole to move between a first position and a second position. The camera 10 is configured to be hidden inside a cover 30 when in the first position, and exposed through the cover 30 when in the second position, with the lens 101 of the camera 10 extending outside the cover 30.

[0032] In the vehicle-mounted camera device 100 of this application embodiment, the camera 10 can be exposed through the cover 30 to capture environmental images when it is working, and the camera 10 can be hidden inside the cover 30 when it is not working, thereby reducing the contamination of the camera 10; in addition, the drive member 21 and the camera 10 are jointly disposed on the same carrier 110, so that the drive member 21 and the camera 10 can move as a whole, making the overall structure of the vehicle-mounted camera device 100 more compact, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the vehicle-mounted camera device 100.

[0033] Specifically, the first position of camera 10 is as follows: Figure 1 The location of camera 10 is shown, and the second location of camera 10 is as follows. Figure 2 The location of camera 10 is shown. Figures 1-3 In this configuration, the carrier 110 completely covers the drive component 21, which is located inside the carrier 110. Figures 1-3The structure of the drive component 21 is not shown. The drive component 21 may be an adjustment motor 211, whose start-up, rotation direction, and stop can be controlled by signals and power from the vehicle 1000. When the camera 10 is not in operation, it is located in the first position, with both the camera 10 and the adjustment motor 211 hidden within the cover 30. When the camera 10 needs to be used, the adjustment motor 211 starts, driving the transmission component 22 to rotate the camera 10 downwards. The rotation stops when the camera 10 is in the second position, at which point the camera 10 extends out of the cover 30 and can perform tasks such as taking pictures and recording videos to achieve functions such as road condition acquisition and dynamic perception of the surrounding environment. After the camera 10 is no longer in use, the adjustment motor 211 can rotate in the opposite direction, driving the camera 10 back from the second position to the first position.

[0034] Please see Figure 5 The driving component 21 and the camera 10 are both mounted on the same carrier 110. Either the driving component 21 or the camera 10 can be fixed to the carrier 110, or both can be fixed to the carrier 110. In addition, the driving component 21 and the camera 10 can be fixedly connected. For example, the camera 10 can be fixed to the driving component 21 by means of clips, screws, adhesive, etc.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the motion trajectory of the drive unit 21 and the camera 10 as a whole between the first position and the second position is arc-shaped.

[0036] Since the drive unit 21 typically provides the driving force for rotation, it is easier to achieve a circular or arc-shaped motion trajectory for both the drive unit 21 and the camera 10 compared to a linear motion trajectory. Furthermore, for the same length of motion trajectory, an arc-shaped trajectory occupies less space and has a more compact structure, which is beneficial for miniaturizing the vehicle-mounted camera device 100.

[0037] Specifically, the drive component 21 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, providing torque to drive the transmission assembly 22 to rotate. The movement trajectory of the camera 10 between the first and second positions can be an arc, the radius of which can be the sum of the radii of the gears in the transmission assembly 22, and the center of the semi-circular arc can be the center of the first gear 221 in the transmission assembly 22. It can be understood that for planar figures with the same perimeter, a circle has the smallest area, and an arc-shaped movement trajectory can minimize the space occupied by the vehicle-mounted camera device 100.

[0038] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the motion trajectories of the drive unit 21 and the camera 10 may also be straight lines. This application does not impose any special limitations on the motion trajectories of the drive unit 21 and the camera 10.

[0039] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the transmission assembly 22 includes a housing 40 and a transmission mechanism 220 disposed within the housing 40. The housing 40 is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove 41. The drive member 21 includes a rotating shaft 212, which passes through the housing 40 and is connected to the transmission mechanism 220. The rotating shaft 212 moves along the extension direction of the arc-shaped guide groove 41.

[0040] Thus, the housing 40 can partially or completely cover the transmission mechanism 220, providing waterproofing and dustproofing, and protecting the transmission mechanism 220 inside the housing 40. The arc-shaped guide groove 41 on the housing 40 can guide the movement of the drive component 21 and the camera 10, making the movement of the camera 10 more stable.

[0041] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The housing 40 may have a semi-circular cross-sectional shape and be disposed inside the cover 30. A portion of the housing 40 may be covered by the cover 30, while another portion may be exposed. The housing 40 may accommodate at least two transmission gears and may be fixedly mounted on the structural components of the vehicle 1000. The arc-shaped guide groove 41 may be semi-circular, having the same center as the semi-circular cross-section of the housing 40 and a radius smaller than the radius of the semi-circular cross-section of the housing 40. The arc-shaped guide groove 41 may be set to a depth equal to the surface thickness of the housing 40, allowing the rotating shaft 212 to pass through one side surface of the housing 40 via the arc-shaped guide groove 41.

[0042] Please see Figure 4 In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism 220 includes a first gear 221 and a second gear 222 meshing with the first gear 221. The first gear 221 is disposed on the housing 40, and the second gear 222 is connected to the rotating shaft 212. The driving member 21 drives the second gear 222 to revolve around the first gear 221 through the rotating shaft 212, thereby driving the driving member 21 and the camera 10 to move as a whole.

[0043] Thus, the transmission mechanism 220 can achieve a stable transmission effect through the rotation of gears.

[0044] Specifically, the first gear 221 and the second gear 222 can be a pair of planetary gears. The first gear 221 can be a sun gear, which is fixed in position during transmission, while the second gear 222 can be a planet gear, which can move in position during transmission. When the camera 10 is not in operation, it is in the first position. When the vehicle 1000 needs to use the camera 10 while driving, the adjusting motor 211 drives the second gear 222 to rotate around its own axis via the rotating shaft 212. Since the first gear 221 meshes with the second gear 222 and the first gear 221 is fixed in position, the second gear 222 rotates on its own axis and also revolves around the axis of the first gear 221 along the outer circumference of the first gear 221, causing the camera 10 and the driving component 21 to rotate downward to the second position. During the rotation, the camera 10 and the driving component 21 move along the arc-shaped guide groove 41.

[0045] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, a bracket 50 is provided on the housing 40 for fixing the housing 40 to a structural component of the vehicle 1000.

[0046] Thus, the bracket 50 can place the vehicle-mounted camera device 100 at a fixed position on the vehicle 1000, keeping the position of the housing 40 stable.

[0047] Specifically, the bracket 50 can be used to fix the housing 40 to components such as the bottom bumper of the vehicle 1000 and the engine protection plate at the bottom of the vehicle 1000 by screws. The bracket 50 can fix the position of the housing 40 and provide structural support by using shims 51 arranged at three opposite positions on the housing 40.

[0048] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the cover 30 includes a front bumper 31 of the vehicle 1000. An onboard camera 100 can be fixed to the front bumper 31, with the camera 10 positioned facing forward of the vehicle 1000. The front bumper 31 can completely cover and obscure the camera 10 and the drive unit 21 at a first position.

[0049] In this way, by installing the vehicle-mounted camera device 100 in front of the vehicle 1000, the camera 10 can capture images of the environment in front of the vehicle. At the same time, when the camera 10 is not in operation, it is completely obscured by the front bumper 31, which does not affect the appearance of the vehicle 1000 and improves its versatility.

[0050] Specifically, the front bumper 31 of vehicle 1000 is located at the front of vehicle 1000, and can be a distance from the ground greater than the width of the lens 101 of camera 10. The front bumper 31 can be made of lightweight, opaque, and high-strength materials, such as polypropylene or polyester plastic. The front bumper 31 can be manufactured into various shapes through processes such as stamping and extrusion molding to meet different appearance requirements of vehicle 1000.

[0051] Please see Figures 1-3 In some embodiments, the vehicle-mounted camera device 100 includes a soft protective element 60 disposed on the cover 30. The soft protective element 60 is located on the movement path of the camera 10, and the soft protective element 60 wipes the camera 10 during the movement of the camera 10.

[0052] When the camera 10 is in operation, it is located in the second position, exposed below the front bumper 31. This second position is close to the ground, making it prone to dust, water stains, and other dirt, leading to contamination and poor image quality. The soft protective component 60 can wipe the camera 10 during camera movement. Thus, before and after the camera 10 is in operation, the soft protective component 60 can clean the camera 10, especially the lens 101, resulting in clearer image quality.

[0053] Specifically, the soft protective component 60 can be made of fiber cloth, soft fabric, suede, etc., and can be made of materials such as cotton, polyester filament, and polyester fiber. The soft protective component 60 can also be a protective film for the lens 101, which can be made of PET material covered with PU adhesive. The soft protective component 60 can be rectangular, circular, polygonal, etc., and can have a larger area than the lens 101 of the camera 10.

[0054] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, when the camera 10 is in the first position, the soft protective member 60 abuts against the camera 10.

[0055] Thus, the camera 10 is in the first position, covered and hidden by the cover 30. When not in working condition, the soft protective part 60 can protect the camera 10 from water and dust.

[0056] Specifically, the soft protective element 60 can be positioned between the first position and the cover 30, and closer to the first position. When the camera 10 is in the first position, the soft protective element 60 and the camera 10 are in an interference fit, and the camera 10 is completely covered by the soft protective element 60. During the process of the camera 10 moving from the second position to the first position, the soft protective element 60 can wipe the camera 10, thus serving a cleaning function.

[0057] Please see Figure 3In some embodiments, the cover 30 is provided with a mounting member 70, and the soft protective member 60 is provided on the side of the mounting member 70 opposite to the cover 30.

[0058] In this way, the soft protective component 60 can be installed and fixed on the cover 30, and the mounting component 70 can be set to a size and material specifically for the soft protective component 60, making the installation and replacement of the soft protective component 60 easier.

[0059] Specifically, the soft protective component 60 does not move with the movement of the camera 10 and is fixed to the cover 30 by the mounting component 70. The soft protective component 60 can be replaced on the mounting component 70. The mounting component 70 can be configured with a snap-on base or other structure that facilitates installation and replacement.

[0060] Please see Figure 6 The vehicle 1000 of the present invention includes the vehicle-mounted camera device 100 of any of the above embodiments. The vehicle 1000 may be a passenger car, a commercial vehicle, or a fuel-powered vehicle 1000, an electric vehicle 1000, or a hybrid vehicle 1000.

[0061] In one example, a movable vehicle-mounted camera 100 is installed behind the front bumper 31 of the vehicle 1000. When the camera 10 is not in operation, the front bumper 31 covers and hides the vehicle-mounted camera 100, with the camera 10 in a first position, abutting against the soft protective component 60. When the camera 10 needs to be used, the adjustment motor 211 of the vehicle-mounted camera 100 is activated, causing the second gear 222 to rotate via the rotating shaft 212. The first gear 221 is fixed in position and meshes with the second gear 222, so that the second gear 222 rotates around its own axis while simultaneously rotating around a second axis along the outer circumference of the first gear 221. The rotating shaft 212 drives the camera 10 to move from the first position to the second position along the arc-shaped guide groove 41 on the housing 40. When the camera 10 is in the second position, the lens 101 is not obstructed by the front bumper 31, allowing for shooting, recording, and other operations. After the camera 10 has finished working, the adjustment motor 211 can rotate in the opposite direction, causing the second gear 222 to rotate in the opposite direction, thus returning the camera 10 from the second position to the first position. The soft protective part 60 can wipe the camera 10 during the movement of the camera 10.

[0062] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0063] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted camera device, characterized in that, include: Camera; and A driving mechanism includes a driving component and a transmission assembly connected to the driving component. The driving component and the camera are jointly mounted on the same carrier. The driving component is used to drive the transmission assembly to move, so that the transmission assembly drives the driving component and the camera as a whole to move between a first position and a second position. The camera is configured to be hidden inside a cover when it is in the first position and exposed through the cover when it is in the second position. The movement trajectory of the drive component and the camera as a whole between the first position and the second position is arc-shaped; The transmission assembly includes a housing and a transmission mechanism disposed within the housing. The housing is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove. The driving component includes a rotating shaft that passes through the housing and is connected to the transmission mechanism. The rotating shaft moves along the extending direction of the arc-shaped guide groove. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear and a second gear meshing with the first gear. The first gear is disposed on the housing, and the second gear is connected to the rotating shaft. The driving member drives the second gear to revolve around the first gear through the rotating shaft, thereby driving the driving member and the camera to move as a whole.

2. The vehicle-mounted camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a bracket, which is used to fix the housing to the structural components of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle-mounted camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover includes the vehicle's front bumper.

4. The vehicle-mounted camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted camera device includes a soft protective component disposed on the cover, the soft protective component being located on the movement path of the camera, and wiping the camera during the movement of the camera.

5. The vehicle-mounted camera device according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the camera is in the first position, the soft protective member abuts against the camera.

6. The vehicle-mounted camera device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cover is provided with an mounting component, and the soft protective component is located on the side of the mounting component opposite to the cover.

7. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the vehicle-mounted camera device as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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