Universal camera mount assembly for motor vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a universal camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle. A camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle has a base configured to be mounted on the vehicle and having a recess on a top surface; and the bracket is assembled above the base. The cradle has a first camera mount and a second camera mount. The first camera mount has a first protrusion extending on a bottom side. The second camera mount has a second projection extending on the bottom side. The camera mount also has a camera configured to be mounted to one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount. When a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into a recess in the base, the camera is received into one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, and the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle imaging systems and, more particularly, to a camera mount assembly for accommodating different camera arrangements on a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with imaging devices to monitor vehicle occupants to support advanced vehicle-level functionality. For example, driver monitoring cameras can be employed to monitor the driver's status for autonomous driving applications. Typically, driver monitoring cameras are mounted in front of the driver's seat in a position suitable for tracking the driver's eye movements and capturing the driver's facial features. It would be desirable to provide a camera mount assembly that easily adapts to different vehicle configurations and accommodates drivers on either the left or right side of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle includes a base configured to be mounted on the vehicle and having a recess on a top surface; and a bracket assembled above the base. The bracket includes a first camera mount and a second camera mount. The first camera mount has a first protrusion extending on the bottom side, the second camera mount has a second protrusion extending on the bottom side, and a camera is configured to be mounted on one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, the camera is received in one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount. The other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted on the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - the first camera mount has a first opening with a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, and wherein the second camera mount has a second opening with a second finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the second protrusion;

[0006] - the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge, and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge;

[0007] - the recess comprises a hole extending through the base;

[0008] - the recess extends below one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount and does not extend below the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount;

[0009] - the first camera mount having a first pair of connector features configured to receive the camera assembly, and the second camera mount having a second pair of connector features configured to receive the camera assembly;

[0010] - the camera mount assembly is assembled to the dashboard of the vehicle;

[0011] - the camera mount assembly is located on the instrument panel midway between the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly; and

[0012] -The camera is a driver status monitoring camera.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle includes a base configured to be mounted on the vehicle and having a recess on a top surface; and a bracket assembled above the base. The bracket includes a first camera mount and a second camera mount. The first camera mount includes a first camera mount with a first protrusion extending on a bottom side, and the second camera mount includes a second camera mount with a second protrusion extending on the bottom side. The first camera mount includes a first opening, a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, and the second camera mount includes a second opening, a second finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the second protrusion. The camera mount assembly also has a driver monitoring camera configured to be mounted to one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein the camera is received into one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, and wherein the camera mount assembly is located on a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0014] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0015] - the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge, and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge;

[0016] - the recess comprises a hole extending through the base;

[0017] - the recess extends below one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount and does not extend below the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount;

[0018] - the first camera mount includes a first pair of features configured to receive the camera, and the second camera mount includes a second pair of features configured to receive the camera mount; and

[0019] The camera mount assembly is located on the dashboard in the middle between the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a camera on a camera mount on a vehicle. The method includes mounting a base on the vehicle, the base having a recess on a top surface. The method also includes assembling a bracket over the base, the bracket having a first camera mount and a second camera mount, the first camera mount having a first protrusion extending on a bottom side, and the second camera mount having a second protrusion extending on the bottom side. The method also includes mounting a camera to one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein the camera is received in one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, and wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

[0021] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0022] - the first camera mount includes a first opening having a finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, and wherein the second camera mount includes a second opening having a finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the second protrusion;

[0023] - the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge, and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge;

[0024] - the camera mount assembly is assembled to the dashboard of the vehicle; and

[0025] - The camera is a driver monitoring camera.

[0026] These and other features, advantages, and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached figure:

[0028] Figure 1 is a forward-looking view of a front portion of an interior cabin of a motor vehicle having a left-hand driver monitoring system according to one example, wherein a camera is on a camera mount assembly, the camera being arranged to monitor a left-hand driver;

[0029] Figure 2 is used for Figure 1 an upper perspective view of a driver monitoring camera on a camera mount assembly of the camera arrangement;

[0030] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the camera mount assembly, further illustrating a camera disposed on the right side for monitoring the left driver;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of the camera mount assembly with the camera removed;

[0032] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the camera mount assembly with the bracket rotated toward the front of the vehicle to show the underside;

[0033] Figure 6 is a lower perspective view of the bracket assembly;

[0034] Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of a camera mount assembly having a camera mounted for a right-hand driver monitoring system according to another example; and

[0035] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the camera mount assembly with the bracket rotated toward the front of the vehicle to show Figure 7 The underside of the camera arrangement shown in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and some parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0037] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to illustrate functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in various ways.

[0038] For the purpose of this description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to Figure 1 The present invention relates to concepts of orientation in the present invention. However, it should be understood that the concepts described can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0039] The presently described embodiments primarily reside in a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a universal camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, with only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure being shown to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with details that would readily be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0040] As used herein, the term "and / or" when applied to a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain: A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0041] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of more constraints, an element preceded by "comprises . . . . " does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0042] As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount, size, formula, parameter and other quantities and characteristics are not exact, nor do they need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint mentioned. Regardless of whether the endpoints of a value or range in this specification are described as "about", the endpoints of the value or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0043] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" can indicate that values are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0044] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] refer to Figure 1A motor vehicle 10 (such as a wheeled automobile or motor vehicle) is generally shown having a cabin 12 generally defined by the body of the motor vehicle 10, also referred to as a passenger compartment. A windshield 14 is located at the front end of the cabin 12, generally defining the front side of the cabin 12. The cabin 12 generally includes passenger seating, including a front row of seats having a left seat 20 configured as a driver's seat and a right seat 22 configured as a passenger seat. The driver's seat is shown on the left-hand side of the motor vehicle 10, and the passenger seat is shown on the right-hand side of the motor vehicle 10. A steering wheel 18 is generally located forward of the left seat 20 to allow the driver to operate the motor vehicle 10. An instrument panel 16 is generally positioned in the cabin 12, forward of both the left seat 20 and the right seat 22, proximate to the lower portion of the windshield 14 and to the rear of the vehicle below the windshield. The instrument panel 16 may be a decorative panel and may also be referred to as an instrument panel.

[0046] The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a universal camera mount assembly 24, which is shown as being generally located on the instrument panel 16, such as on a trim panel that may be located on the headrest of the instrument panel 16, at a location generally in front of and generally between the left and right seats 20, 22. The camera mount assembly 24 provides a mounting arrangement for receiving an imaging device in the form of a camera, such as a video camera, that can capture images of a seating area configured to accommodate a driver of the motor vehicle 10. The captured images can be processed using image processing with an image processor to determine characteristics of a person (i.e., the driver of the motor vehicle 10 seated in a driver-configured seat). Specifically, the captured images may include images of the head, face, shoulders, and arms of the driver of the motor vehicle 10. The determined characteristics may include head and eye orientation and whether the eyes are open or closed, which can be used to detect, for example, driver distraction, drowsiness, or other driver conditions. By processing the image of the driver of motor vehicle 10 , the state of the driver of motor vehicle 10 may be determined based on the determined characteristics and the determined state of the driver for one or more applications.

[0047] According to one example shown, the camera mount assembly 24 is shown generally forward of and midway between the left and right seats 22. Figure 1In the illustrated vehicle configuration, the left-side seat 20 is shown configured as the driver's seat within the interior 12 of the motor vehicle 10. However, it should be understood that the driver's seat can be located on the right side of the motor vehicle 10, such that the right-side seat 22 can be used as the driver's seat. Thus, the motor vehicle 10 can be configured as either a left-side driver seat vehicle or a right-side driver seat vehicle. The camera mount assembly 24 provides a universal mount arrangement that allows a common bracket assembly to be used to mount the driver monitoring camera in the appropriate location on vehicles with either left-side or right-side driver configurations, and prevents assembly of an incorrect camera mounting arrangement.

[0048] The camera mount assembly 24 has a left driver-monitoring camera location 26, generally shown on the right side of the camera mount assembly 24, and a right driver-monitoring camera 28, generally shown on the left side of the camera mount assembly 24. When the left seat 20 is configured as the driver's seat, the camera 60 is installed in the left driver-monitoring camera location 26. For vehicles in which the right seat 22 is configured as the driver's seat, the camera 60 is installed at the right driver-monitoring camera location 28.

[0049] Camera support assembly 24 Figure 2 6. Further shown in FIG. 6 is a lens housing or shroud 70 having a first lens portion 72A and a second lens portion 72B. The first lens portion 72A on the right side is shown positioned adjacent to the left driver monitoring camera location 26 in front of the camera 60 and is arranged to allow image capture for the left driver monitoring configuration. The second lens portion 72B is positioned adjacent to the right driver monitoring camera location 28 so that when the camera 60 is mounted therein, the lens portion 72B appears in front of the camera 60.

[0050] refer to Figures 2 to 6The camera mount assembly 24 is generally shown for a left-hand driver status camera monitoring configuration. The camera mount assembly 24 includes a bracket 30 having a bottom panel 32 with a universal mounting configuration for mounting a camera 60 on the right side for a left-hand driver status monitoring camera, or on the left side for a right-hand driver status monitoring camera. Thus, the bracket 30 is a universal camera mount bracket that can be used on vehicles with either a left-hand or right-hand driver configuration. The bracket 30 includes a first left-hand driver camera mount 34A on the right side and a second right-hand driver camera mount 34B on the left side, corresponding to the different viewing angles required for left-hand and right-hand driver vehicles. The first camera mount 34A includes a first pair of connector features, shown as spaced-apart camera mount tabs 44A. These spaced-apart camera mount tabs have an opening in the middle for receiving a pair of male protrusions 32 on opposite sides of the camera 60. The first pair of mount tabs 44A are resilient upright members with receiver openings. Thus, the camera 60 can be inserted into the first pair of camera mount tabs 44A, causing the camera mount tabs 44A to flex to receive the angled surface of the male protrusion 32 in the receiver opening and lock and hold the camera 60 in place. The first camera mount 34A also includes a first opening 36A formed in the panel 32 and a first finger 38A extending from the panel 32 and connected to the panel at one end via a first living hinge 40A. Thus, the first finger 38A can move up and down within the first opening 36A by pivoting about the first living hinge 40A. The first camera mount 34A also includes a first protrusion in the form of a post 42A that extends through the first finger 38A on the top and extends on the bottom side.

[0051] The second camera mount 34B includes a second pair of connector features, shown as camera mount tabs 44B, spaced apart and having a second opening 36B in between for receiving a pair of male protrusions 32 on opposite sides of the camera 60. The second pair of mount tabs 44B are resilient upright members with receiver openings. Thus, the camera 60 can be inserted into the second pair of camera mount tabs 44B, causing the camera mount tabs 44B to flex and receive the angled surfaces of the male protrusions 32 in the receiver openings, locking and holding the camera 60 in place. The second camera mount 34B also includes a second opening 36B formed in the panel 32 and a second finger 38B extending from the panel 32 and connected to the panel at one end via a second living hinge 40B. Thus, the second finger 38B can move up and down within the second opening 36B by pivoting about the second living hinge 40B. The second camera mount 34B also includes a second protrusion in the form of a post 42B that extends through the first finger 38B on the top and extends on the bottom side. Features attached to each of the first and second living hinges 40A, 40B can be activated depending on the desired camera position / orientation.

[0052] Bracket 30 is shown sitting on top of base 50, which may include a substantially planar platform that serves as a mounting surface, such as Figure 4 As shown. The base 50 includes a recess 52A, which may be in the form of a hole or recessed portion in the mounting surface of the base 50. The recess 52A is positioned adjacent one of the first camera mount 34A and the second camera mount 34B in a position for receiving one of the first post 42A and the second post 42B. The base 50 is configured with the recess 52A formed specifically for one of the left driver monitoring camera arrangement or the right driver monitoring camera arrangement. Figure 4As shown, recess 52A is located approximately below first camera mount 34A at a position that allows post 42A to extend into recess 52A to allow camera 60 to be mounted on first camera mount tab 44A. Thus, during manufacturing assembly of motor vehicle 10, camera 60 can be mounted on first camera mount tab 44A such that male member 62 engages first pair of connectors 44A and post 42A extends into recess 52A to retain finger 38A within first opening 36A and allow camera 60 to be mounted in first camera mount 34A. It should be understood that if an assembler attempts to mount camera 60 on second camera mount 34B, second post 42B will interfere with the top surface of base 50 because there is no recess located below second post 42B. When this occurs, the second post 42B engaging the top surface of the base 50 will angle the second finger 38B upward, with the second post 42B protruding upward near the second camera mount 34B, thereby preventing the camera 60 from being able to engage and mount to the second pair of camera mount tabs 44B.

[0053] exist Figures 2 to 6 In the example shown, the camera 60 can be assembled only onto the first camera mount 34A to allow for left-side driver status monitoring. In the event that the motor vehicle 10 is to be configured for a right-side driver monitoring arrangement, the camera mount assembly 24 can utilize the same bracket 30 and shroud 70 and can simply utilize a different base 50 having a recess 52A positioned adjacent to the second camera mount 34B, as shown. Figure 7 and Figure 8 5B. In this configuration, second post 52B is aligned with and extends into recess 52B to allow second finger 38B to be retained within second opening 36B, thereby allowing camera 60 to be assembled to the second pair of mounting tabs 44B within second camera mounting area 34B. In this configuration, camera 60 cannot be mounted to first camera mount 34A because first post 42A engages the top surface of base 50, causing first finger 38A to extend above first opening 36A and interfere with a camera being mounted thereto, thereby preventing camera 60 from being assembled into first camera mount 34A.

[0054] Thus, the camera mount assembly 24 provides a universal mounting arrangement that can accommodate easy and efficient assembly of a driver state monitoring camera on both left-hand and right-hand driver configurations. The camera mount assembly 24 can utilize most of its components, including the bracket 30 and the shroud 70, for either left-hand or right-hand driver state monitoring camera configurations. To switch between left-hand and right-hand driver configurations, the placement of the recess 52A or 52B within the base 50 can be selected, minimizing complexity and preventing improper installation of the camera 60 for vehicles with either left-hand or right-hand driver configurations.

[0055] It will be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the foregoing constructions without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it will be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0056] According to the present invention, a camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: a base configured to be mounted on the vehicle and having a recess on a top surface; a bracket assembled above the base, the bracket having a first camera mount and a second camera mount, the first camera mount having a first protrusion extending on a bottom side, the second camera mount having a second protrusion extending on the bottom side; and a camera configured to be mounted on one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, the camera is received in one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, and wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the first camera mount comprises a first opening having a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, and wherein the second camera mount comprises a second opening having a second finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the second protrusion.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the recess comprises a hole extending through the base.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the recess extends below one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount and does not extend below the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the first camera mount includes a first pair of connector features configured to receive the camera, and the second camera mount includes a second pair of connector features configured to receive the camera mount.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the camera mount assembly is assembled to a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the camera mount assembly is located on the dashboard midway between the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the camera is a driver state monitoring camera.

[0065] According to the present invention, a camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: a base configured to be mounted on the vehicle and having a recess on a top surface; a bracket assembled above the base, the bracket having a first camera mount and a second camera mount, the first camera mount having a first camera mount with a first protrusion extending on a bottom side, the second camera mount having a second camera mount with a second protrusion extending on the bottom side, and the first camera mount including a first opening having a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, wherein the second camera mount includes a second opening having a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, wherein the second camera mount includes a second opening having a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening a second finger extending from the bracket and connected to the second protrusion within the mouth; and a driver status monitoring camera, the driver status monitoring camera being configured to be mounted to one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, the driver status monitoring camera is received in one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the driver status monitoring camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, and wherein the camera mount assembly is located on the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the recess comprises a hole extending through the base.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the recess extends below one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount and does not extend below the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the first camera mount includes a first pair of connector features configured to receive the camera, and the second camera mount includes a second pair of connector features configured to receive the camera mount.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the camera mount assembly is located on the dashboard midway between the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly.

[0071] According to the present invention, a method of assembling a camera on a camera mount on a vehicle comprises: mounting a base on the vehicle, the base having a recess on a top surface; assembling a bracket over the base, the bracket having a first camera mount and a second camera mount, the first camera mount having a first protrusion extending on a bottom side, the second camera mount having a second protrusion extending on the bottom side; and mounting a camera on one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, the camera is received in one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, and wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

[0072] In one aspect of the invention, the first camera mount includes a first opening having a finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, and wherein the second camera mount includes a second opening having a finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the second protrusion.

[0073] In one aspect of the invention, the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge, and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge.

[0074] In one aspect of the present invention, the camera mount assembly is assembled to a dashboard of the vehicle.

[0075] In one aspect of the invention, the camera is a driver state monitoring camera.

Claims

1. A camera mount assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a base configured to be mounted on the vehicle and having a recess on a top surface; a bracket assembled over the base, the bracket having a first camera mount and a second camera mount, the first camera mount having a first protrusion extending on a bottom side, the second camera mount having a second protrusion extending on the bottom side; as well as a camera configured to be mounted to one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein the camera is received into the one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, and wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

2. The camera mount assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first camera mount includes a first opening having a first finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the first protrusion, and wherein the second camera mount includes a second opening having a second finger extending from the bracket within the opening and coupled to the second protrusion.

3. The camera mount assembly of claim 2, wherein the first finger is connected to the bracket via a first living hinge, and the second finger is connected to the bracket via a second living hinge.

4. The camera mount assembly of claim 1 , wherein the recess comprises a hole extending through the base.

5. The camera mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the recess extends below one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount and does not extend below the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

6. The camera mount assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first camera mount includes a first pair of connector features configured to receive the camera, and the second camera mount includes a second pair of connector features configured to receive the camera mount.

7. The camera mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the camera mount assembly is assembled to a dashboard of the vehicle.

8. The camera mount assembly of claim 7, wherein the camera mount assembly is located on the instrument panel midway between the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly.

9. The camera mount assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the camera is a driver state monitoring camera.

10. A method of assembling a camera on a camera mount on a vehicle, comprising: mounting a base on the vehicle, the base having a recess on a top surface; Assembling a bracket over the base, the bracket having a first camera mount having a first protrusion extending on a bottom side and a second camera mount having a second protrusion extending on the bottom side; as well as A camera is mounted to one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount, wherein the camera is received into the one of the first camera mount and the second camera mount when a corresponding one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends into the recess in the base, and wherein the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion contacts the base and prevents the camera from being mounted in the other of the first camera mount and the second camera mount.

Images