Sensor assembly for a motor vehicle and mirror assembly having such a sensor assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor assembly for a motor vehicle, which can be fixed on a windshield (6) of a motor vehicle and comprises a holder (8), a camera (10) and a rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor (12) having a main body (14) and a lateral protrusion (16). The lateral protrusion (16) has an opening (18) for measuring the air humidity. The longitudinal extension of the lateral protrusion (16) extends obliquely with respect to a longitudinal center plane (M) of the sensor assembly. The invention also relates to a mirror assembly comprising such a sensor assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor assembly for a motor vehicle and a mirror assembly having such a sensor assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Mirror assemblies with sensor components are known in the prior art in different design schemes.

[0003] EP 2 195 214 B1 describes a mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a sensor assembly and a bracket. The sensor assembly is mounted on the windshield of the motor vehicle on the passenger compartment side, is mounted on the bracket, and includes a rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor and a camera-based driver assistance system. The rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor has an opening for introducing and expelling air to measure air humidity.

[0004] To ensure accurate measurement of air humidity inside a vehicle, the opening needs to be located at least partially within the airflow area of ​​the vehicle's ventilation system. Simultaneously, camera-based driver assistance systems must not be obstructed by rain, light, sunlight, or moisture sensors for data acquisition.

[0005] To meet these requirements, EP 2 195 214 B1 proposes placing rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensors laterally on the side of a camera-based driver assistance system.

[0006] However, such an arrangement of rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensors and camera-based driver assistance systems is sometimes impossible or at least only feasible at high cost due to specific structural space conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Starting from the mirror assembly described in EP 2 195 214 B1, the object of the present invention is to provide a sensor assembly for a motor vehicle and a mirror assembly having such a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly being able to perform the functions of a rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor and a camera with small structural space requirements.

[0008] According to the present invention, this task is accomplished by a sensor assembly and a mirror assembly.

[0009] According to the present invention, a sensor assembly for a motor vehicle is provided, the sensor assembly being fixed to the windshield of the motor vehicle. The sensor assembly includes a retainer, a camera, and a rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor having a main body and lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions have openings for measuring air humidity. The longitudinal extension of the lateral protrusions, i.e., the extension of the lateral protrusions away from the main body, extends obliquely, i.e., inclined or laterally, relative to the longitudinal center plane of the sensor assembly.

[0010] In the functional installation state of the sensor assembly on the windshield, the longitudinal center plane of the sensor assembly corresponds, for example, to the longitudinal center plane of the windshield.

[0011] Therefore, the core idea of ​​this invention is to configure the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor such that the longitudinal extension direction of the lateral protrusion deviates from the extension direction of the longitudinal center plane, specifically forming a defined angle with the longitudinal center plane. Thus, the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor can be offset in the longitudinal direction of the sensor assembly and at least partially positioned in the lateral direction corresponding to the position of the camera. The opening in the lateral protrusion extends obliquely through the lateral protrusion but is positioned laterally to the side of the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor and therefore at least partially within the airflow area of ​​the vehicle's ventilation system.

[0012] In the functional installation state of the sensor assembly on the windshield, the longitudinal direction of the sensor assembly corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the windshield.

[0013] Depending on the installation position of the windshield on the motor vehicle, the longitudinal direction of the windshield extends along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and / or along the vertical direction of the motor vehicle in a functional installation state of the windshield on the motor vehicle.

[0014] The opening is, for example, an air circulation opening for introducing and discharging air, for the operation of the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor.

[0015] Optical sensors include, for example, cameras.

[0016] Optical sensors can be a component of camera-based driver assistance systems.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the opening is partially or completely positioned laterally on the side of the camera.

[0018] In the functional installation state of the sensor assembly in the motor vehicle, the lateral direction corresponds to the lateral direction of the motor vehicle.

[0019] The main body of the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor has, for example, a flat cylindrical shape.

[0020] In one exemplary embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the straight line extending longitudinally along the lateral protrusion forms an angle of 20 to 160 degrees with the longitudinal center plane.

[0021] For example, the longitudinal extension direction of the lateral protrusion and the longitudinal central plane form an angle of 20 to 50 degrees, especially 30 to 45 degrees.

[0022] The longitudinal extension direction of the lateral protrusion can point forward along the longitudinal direction.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the opening is constructed on the first end of the lateral protrusion opposite to the body or on the first sidewall of the lateral protrusion.

[0024] The first sidewall may be the lower sidewall and / or the front sidewall of the lateral protrusion along the longitudinal direction.

[0025] For example, the first sidewall is the sidewall of the lateral protrusion facing the camera.

[0026] If the lateral protrusion extends forward longitudinally away from the main body, i.e., the angle between the straight line along the longitudinal extension direction of the lateral protrusion and the longitudinal center plane is less than 90 degrees, especially less than 45 degrees, then the lateral protrusion can be constructed on the first end of the lateral protrusion. This ensures that the opening is located in the airflow area of ​​the ventilation system.

[0027] If the lateral protrusion is orthogonal to the longitudinal center plane, or if the angle between the straight line extending along the longitudinal direction of the lateral protrusion and the longitudinal center plane is greater than 45 degrees, especially greater than or equal to 90 degrees, then the lateral protrusion is constructed, for example, on the side wall of the lateral protrusion facing the camera. This ensures that the opening is located in the airflow area of ​​the ventilation system.

[0028] In one exemplary embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor includes a plug housing.

[0029] The plug receiving part can be provided on the side of the main body opposite to the lateral protrusion, especially on the circumferential surface of the main body.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the retainer can be connected to the windshield via a sealing lip such that a local area of ​​the retainer, the windshield, and the sealing lip define an airtight cavity in which the optical sensor is disposed.

[0031] In one exemplary embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the opening is partially, and in particular entirely, arranged laterally on the side of the airtight cavity and / or the sealing lip.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor is disposed behind the camera along the longitudinal direction of the sensor assembly.

[0033] Depending on the installation location of the windshield in the motor vehicle, the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor can be positioned behind the camera along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle or above the camera along the vertical direction of the motor vehicle.

[0034] In one exemplary embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor, in particular its body, is at least partially, in particular entirely, in the lateral direction at the same location as the optical sensor, the airtight cavity, the sealing lip, and / or local areas of the aforementioned components.

[0035] Viewed from the front along the longitudinal direction, the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor can therefore be at least partially obscured by the camera.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an interior mirror assembly, and more particularly to a rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, the interior mirror assembly comprising a mirror, a temple, and a sensor assembly described above. The mirror is fixed to a mirror base plate via the temple. The temple can be fixed to the windshield of the motor vehicle via the mirror base plate. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 A front view of the in-vehicle mirror assembly according to the present invention is shown; and

[0039] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The interior mirror assembly of the car, along with a side view of the windshield. Detailed Implementation

[0040] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows an interior mirror assembly 2 for a motor vehicle according to the present invention. The interior mirror assembly 2 can be fixed to the windshield 6 of the motor vehicle.

[0041] The interior mirror assembly 2 includes a mirror 28, a temple 30, and a sensor assembly 4. The sensor assembly 4 includes a retainer 8, a camera 10 for a camera-based driver assistance system, and a rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12. The mirror 28 is secured to a mirror base plate 32 via the temple 30 and to the windshield 6 via the mirror base plate 32. The retainer 8 includes a notch in which the mirror base plate is located.

[0042] Especially from Figure 1 As can be seen, the retainer 8 houses the camera 10 and the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12. For this purpose, the retainer 8 includes recesses in which the optical sensor 10 or the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12 can be disposed in a defined orientation. The camera 10 is here positioned in the front region of the sensor assembly 4 along the longitudinal direction I of the sensor assembly 4. The rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12 is located behind the camera 10 along the longitudinal direction I.

[0043] The longitudinal direction I of the sensor assembly 4 extends along the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle in the functional installation state of the interior mirror assembly 2 on the windshield 6.

[0044] In the area surrounding the camera 10, the retainer 8 is connected to the windshield 6 via a sealing lip 26. The retainer 8, together with the sealing lip 26 and the windshield 6, defines an airtight space in which the camera 10 is housed.

[0045] The rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor 12 includes a main body 14, a lateral protrusion 16, and a plug receiving portion 24. The main body 14 has a flat cylindrical shape. The lateral protrusion 16 and the plug receiving portion 24 are provided on opposite sides of the circumference of the main body 14.

[0046] The rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12 is positioned longitudinally I behind the camera 10 and the sealing lip 26, so that the main body 14 and the plug receiver 24 are obscured by the camera 10 and the sealing lip 26 when viewed from the front along the longitudinal direction I. The main body 14 and the plug receiver 24 therefore occupy the same positions along the lateral direction y as local areas of the camera 10 and / or the sealing lip 26.

[0047] The lateral protrusion 16 includes an opening 18 for measuring air humidity at its first end 20 away from the main body 14. To ensure that sufficient airflow from the vehicle ventilation system can enter and exit the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12 through the opening 18 for air humidity measurement, the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor 12 is arranged such that its longitudinal extension direction L of the lateral protrusion 16 corresponds to the extension direction of the longitudinal center plane M of the interior mirror assembly 2, and is rotated by an angle α about a rotation axis orthogonal to the windshield 6. Therefore, the straight line along the longitudinal extension direction L of the lateral protrusion 16 extends obliquely, i.e., tilted or laterally, relative to the longitudinal center plane M of the interior mirror assembly 2.

[0048] Angle α is currently 42 degrees. Therefore, opening 18 is positioned laterally beside camera 10 and sealing lip 26. Thus, airflow from the vehicle's ventilation system can flow unobstructed to opening 18.

[0049] In cases where the angle is 45° or greater, in order to allow as much airflow as possible into the opening 18, the opening 18 can be located on the first sidewall 22, which faces forward along the longitudinal direction I, i.e., towards the camera 10.

[0050] List of reference numerals

[0051] 2-car interior mirror assembly

[0052] 4 sensor components

[0053] 6 windshields

[0054] 8 retainers

[0055] 10 cameras

[0056] 12 Rainwater-Light-Sunlight-Water Vapor Sensors

[0057] 14 Main Body

[0058] 16 Lateral protrusions

[0059] 18 Openings

[0060] 20 First end

[0061] 22 First sidewall

[0062] 24. Plug Receiving Section

[0063] 26 Sealing Lip

[0064] 28 mirrors

[0065] 30 temples

[0066] 32. Mirror base plate

[0067] I. Vertical direction

[0068] L is a straight line extending longitudinally along the lateral protrusion.

[0069] M longitudinal center plane

[0070] y-direction

[0071] α angle

Claims

1. A sensor assembly for a motor vehicle, the sensor assembly being fixable to the windshield (6) of the motor vehicle and comprising a retainer (8), a camera (10), and a rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor (12), the rain-light-sunlight-moisture sensor having a body (14) and a lateral protrusion (16) having an opening (18) for measuring air humidity, characterized in that, The rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor (12) is disposed behind the camera (10) along the longitudinal direction (I) of the sensor assembly. The rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor (12) is at least partially located in the lateral direction (y) of the vehicle and has the same position as at least one local area of ​​the camera (10). The straight line (L) extending along the longitudinal direction of the lateral protrusion (16) extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal center plane (M) of the sensor assembly (4). The straight line (L) extending along the longitudinal direction of the lateral protrusion (16) forms an angle (α) of 20 to 160 degrees with the longitudinal center plane (M). When the angle is less than 45 degrees, the opening (18) is constructed on the first end (20) of the lateral protrusion (16) opposite to the main body (14). When the angle is greater than 45 degrees, the opening (18) is constructed on the side wall of the lateral protrusion (16) facing the camera.

2. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening (18) is partially or completely positioned on the side of the camera (10) in the lateral direction (y).

3. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor (12) includes a plug receiving portion (24) disposed on the side of the main body (14) opposite to the lateral protrusion (16).

4. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The retainer (8) can be connected to the windshield (6) via a sealing lip (26) to form an airtight cavity between the retainer (8) and the windshield (6), in which the camera (10) is disposed.

5. The sensor assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The opening (18) is positioned laterally (y) on the side of the airtight cavity and / or the sealing lip (26).

6. The sensor assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rain-light-sunlight-water vapor sensor (12) has at least part of the same position along the lateral direction (y) as at least one local area of ​​the airtight cavity and / or sealing lip (26).

7. An interior mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, the interior mirror assembly comprising a mirror (28), a temple (30), and a base plate (32), characterized in that, The sensor assembly (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided, wherein the mirror (28) is fixed to the mirror base plate (32) by means of the mirror foot (30), and the retainer (8) includes a notch in which the mirror base plate (32) is disposed.

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