Fastening device for a rear-view mirror of a motor vehicle and rear-view mirror assembly

Abstract

Mounting device (4) for a rearview mirror (3) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a retaining element (6) by means of which the rearview mirror (3) can be received and held on a windshield (5) of the motor vehicle (2), a housing element (7) by means of which, together with a windshield (5) of the motor vehicle (2), a receiving space (8) can be defined in which the retaining element (6) can be received, and a rain sensor device (9) received in the receiving space (8) by means of which weather outside the motor vehicle (2) can be determined, wherein a camera device (10) is provided in the receiving space (8), the housing element (7) has at least one opening (13) through which air can flow into the receiving space (8), and the mounting device (4) has at least one air guide device (14).by means of which the air flowing into the recording chamber (8) via the opening (13) can be guided to the camera device (10) and the rain sensor device (9), characterized in that the air guide device (14) is arranged in the recording chamber (8), wherein the air guide device (14) comprises at least one first air guide element (15) by means of which air flowing into the recording chamber (8) via the at least one opening (13) can be guided to the camera device (10) and / or the rain sensor device (9), and wherein , • the retaining element (6) provides the air guide device (14) or • the first air guide element (15) is provided on a camera holder which is glued to the windshield (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of the independent claim and to a rearview mirror arrangement.

[0002] From US patent 6,824,281 B2, an invention is known which generally relates to accessories for motor vehicles, in particular to accessories of electronic modules for windshields and assemblies for rearview mirrors.

[0003] From EP 1 040 962 A2, an interior rearview mirror for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, is already known, which has a mirror base connected to a mirror head comprising a mirror glass. At least one rain sensor is provided on the mirror base, which is pressed against the vehicle's windshield by the mirror base. The rain sensor rests against the windshield with an interposed base plate. The mirror base is held to the base plate by at least one clamping or retaining element and has a mirror base cover. The rain sensor and the clamping or retaining elements are concealed within the hood-shaped cover.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a fastening device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle and a rearview mirror arrangement of a rearview mirror on a windshield of a motor vehicle, which enables a particularly compact design of the fastening device and a particularly advantageous ventilation of a rain sensor device of the fastening device.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a fastening device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle with the features of the independent claim and by a rearview mirror arrangement of a rearview mirror on a windshield of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 3. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the description.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a mounting device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising a retaining element by means of which the rearview mirror can be picked up and held on the windshield of the motor vehicle. The mounting device can thus be attached to the windshield via the retaining element. The mounting device further comprises a housing element by means of which, together with the windshield of the motor vehicle, a receiving space can be defined in which the retaining element can be received. The housing element allows the retaining element to be concealed from the interior of the motor vehicle. The mounting device further comprises a rain sensor device housed in the receiving space, by means of which weather conditions outside the motor vehicle can be detected. For example, the rain sensor device can detect when the windshield is wetted with a film of water.As a result of the detected wetting of the windshield with a film of water, the rain sensor can provide a control unit with information characterizing the detected water film. Upon receiving this information, the control unit can activate a windshield wiper system, which then wipes the windshield. The rain sensor can, for example, include a light sensor that detects light. The rain sensor is specifically designed to evaluate the received light and, based on this evaluation, to determine the weather conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0007] To enable a particularly compact design of the mounting device and, moreover, to ensure particularly advantageous ventilation of the rain sensor, the mounting device, according to the invention, comprises a camera device housed in the receiving space. The camera device is, in particular, part of a driver assistance system. Furthermore, according to the invention, the housing element has at least one opening through which air can flow into the receiving space. Moreover, according to the invention, the mounting device comprises at least one air guide device by means of which the air flowing into the receiving space through the opening can be directed to the camera device and the rain sensor device. In particular, when the mounting device is arranged on the windshield of the motor vehicle, the camera device's field of view is directed towards the area surrounding the motor vehicle.The camera system records the vehicle's surroundings, and this recording is characterized by image data. The image data can be stored by the camera system and / or provided to a control unit, which can then control the vehicle based on this data. When the mounting bracket is attached to the windshield, the camera system is positioned longitudinally, particularly in front of the rain sensor. This minimizes the number of vehicle components within the camera system's field of view.Positioning the camera along the vehicle's longitudinal axis in front of the rain sensor, when mounting it on the windshield, provides a particularly unobstructed field of view, allowing for optimal recording of the surroundings. This unobstructed view, resulting from the camera's longitudinal position in front of the rain sensor, also enables the camera and rain sensor to be positioned very close together vertically, allowing for a more compact mounting system.

[0008] To facilitate the dissipation of heat generated during operation of the camera system, an air guidance device is arranged within the recording chamber. This air guidance device comprises at least one first air guide element, through which air flowing into the recording chamber via at least one opening can be directed to the camera system and / or the rain sensor. The air guidance device is designed to direct the air flowing into the recording chamber through the opening to the camera system. Specifically, the air guidance device includes at least one air channel through which the air can be directed. The air flowing into the recording chamber through the opening can be directed to the camera system by means of the air, allowing the air to flow around the camera system and thus absorb the heat emitted by the camera system.By means of at least one first air guide element, the air flowing into the recording chamber can be directed to the rain sensor and / or the camera, thus allowing the air to flow around the camera and / or the rain sensor particularly advantageously. The air carries away heat from the camera. Therefore, the air flowing into the recording chamber through the opening can be used to cool the camera particularly effectively. Furthermore, the air guide element allows the air flowing into the recording chamber through the opening to be directed to the rain sensor. The heat carried away from the camera by the air can be dissipated from the recording chamber, bypassing the rain sensor. This enables particularly efficient operation of the rain sensor.The mounting device thus enables a particularly compact arrangement of the rain sensor and the camera device of the vehicle's driver assistance system in the recording space, with the air guide device enabling particularly advantageous ventilation of the recording space.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting element is intended to provide the air guide. Alternatively, the first air guide is intended to be mounted on a camera bracket that is bonded to the windshield.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing element also provides the air guide. This means that the air guide can be formed on the retaining element and the housing element. For this purpose, at least one air guide channel can be formed in the retaining element and / or the housing element. Particularly when the retaining element and / or the housing element is made of a plastic, the air guide can be inserted into the retaining element or the housing element particularly easily.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention relates to a rearview mirror arrangement on the windshield of a motor vehicle, in which the rearview mirror is held on the windshield by means of a mounting device, as already described in connection with the mounting device according to the invention. In other words, the rearview mirror is held by the mounting device, and the mounting device is attached to the windshield of the motor vehicle via the retaining element. The mounting device can thus be a so-called mirror base. Both the rain sensor and the camera of the driver assistance system are integrated into this mirror base, which, in addition to its function of holding the rearview mirror, provides a particularly large number of other functions.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous to arrange the camera system along the vehicle's vertical axis below the rain sensor system. This minimizes the obstruction of the camera system's field of view towards the vehicle's surroundings by the rain sensor. Furthermore, when the camera system is positioned vertically below and longitudinally in front of the rain sensor system, the rain sensor system and the camera system can be positioned particularly close to each other. This minimizes the risk of the rain sensor system obstructing the camera system's field of view, thus allowing for a minimal safety distance between the camera system and the rain sensor system.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the air guidance device comprises at least a second air guidance element by means of which air can be directed away from the camera device, bypassing the rain sensor device. Air can be particularly advantageously directed away from the camera device by means of the second air guidance element, thereby allowing waste heat from the camera device to be dissipated along with the air. The camera device can be particularly advantageously cooled by means of the waste heat dissipated by the air. To prevent a negative influence on the rain sensor device by the waste heat from the camera device, it is provided that the air directed away from the camera device is discharged from the recording space by means of the second air guidance element, bypassing the rain sensor device. This particularly advantageously prevents overheating of the rain sensor device.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous to arrange the opening of an outlet of a vehicle air conditioning system on the housing element facing the vehicle. In particular, the outlet of the vehicle air conditioning system is arranged along the vehicle's vertical axis below the mounting device. Thus, the opening of the housing element is provided on an underside of the housing element that is oriented downwards along the vehicle's vertical axis. The air flowing out of the at least one outlet of the vehicle air conditioning system can therefore flow upwards along the windshield in the vehicle's vertical axis and enter the receiving space through the opening of the housing element. Within the receiving space, the air flowing in through the opening can be guided to the camera system and the rain sensor system by means of the air guide device.Arranging the opening of the housing element on one side of the housing element facing the at least one outlet opening of the vehicle air conditioning unit ensures that an airflow provided by the vehicle air conditioning unit via the at least one outlet opening can safely flow into the receiving space through the opening, which is at least partially limited by the housing element.

[0015] It has proven advantageous for the camera system to be directed with its field of view towards the vehicle's surroundings, with the field of view intersecting the windshield in an area of ​​overlap. This area of ​​overlap is, in particular, free of any black print, enabling the camera system to capture the vehicle's surroundings with exceptional precision and accuracy within its field of view. The black print can be located on the windshield outside the area of ​​overlap to provide glare protection for a vehicle occupant and / or to protect at least one vehicle component from UV radiation. Alternatively or additionally, the black print can serve to conceal at least one vehicle component, such as the windshield adhesive used to bond the windshield to another vehicle component.Positioning the black print outside the overlap area ensures that the camera system receives the greatest possible amount of light in the field of view, allowing it to record the vehicle's surroundings with exceptional precision.

[0016] In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous if a section of the windshield extending downwards from the overlap area in the vehicle's vertical direction is free of the black print. The applied black print can cause the windshield to warp, at least in certain areas. This warping of the windshield means that its refractive power changes as a result of the black print being applied. Consequently, the diopter value, which describes the windshield's refractive power, can change. The refractive power of the windshield must be compensated for by the camera system in order to accurately depict or record the vehicle's surroundings. This means that the camera system must be able to record the vehicle's surroundings with at least substantial distortion-free clarity.If the black print is not applied along the vehicle's vertical axis below the overlap area, the windshield will be distorted very little in the overlap area. This means that the camera system has to compensate for very little, or even no, refractive power of the windshield. As a result, a realistic image of the vehicle's surroundings can be obtained from the camera system, while advantageously minimizing the amount of material required for the black print.

[0017] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a rearview mirror arrangement of a rearview mirror arranged in the interior of a motor vehicle via a mounting device on a windshield of the motor vehicle, wherein the mounting device comprises a rain sensor device and a camera device arranged along a vehicle vertical direction below and along a vehicle longitudinal direction in front of the rain sensor device, as well as an air guide device by means of which air can be directed to the camera device and the rain sensor device, whereby the camera device and the rain sensor device can be surrounded by air; Fig. 2 a schematic rear view from an interior of the motor vehicle onto the rear side of the windshield facing the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein a housing element of the mounting device is only partially shown and wherein respective air guide channels of the air guide device are shown, by means of which air can be directed to the camera device and the rain sensor device and air can be transported away from the camera device in order to dissipate waste heat from the camera device; and Fig. 3 a schematic front view from an environment of the motor vehicle onto the windshield of the motor vehicle, wherein an area of ​​the windshield which is arranged below an overlap area of ​​the windshield in which a viewing area of ​​the camera device intersects the windshield is kept free of black printing.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a rearview mirror assembly 1 of a motor vehicle 2. This rearview mirror assembly 1 comprises a rearview mirror 3 directed into the interior of the motor vehicle 2, a mounting device 4, and a windshield 5. The rearview mirror 3 can be mounted using the mounting device 4. The mounting device 4 is therefore a so-called mirror base. The mounting device 4 can be attached to the windshield 5, thereby holding the rearview mirror 3 to the windshield 5 via the mounting device 4.

[0020] The mounting device 4 comprises a retaining element 6, by means of which the mounting device 4 can be attached to the windshield 5. The mounting device 4 further comprises a housing element 7, by means of which the retaining element 6 is concealed from the interior of the vehicle 2. The housing element 7, together with the windshield 5, defines a receiving space 8. The retaining element 6 is arranged in this receiving space 8. A rain sensor 9 and a camera 10 are also arranged in the receiving space 8. The camera 10 is part of a camera-based driver assistance system, by means of which the vehicle 2 can be controlled based on image data characterizing the vehicle 2's surroundings, recorded by the camera 10. The camera 10 is oriented with its field of view 11 towards the surroundings of the vehicle 2.The field of view 11 overlaps with the windshield 5 in an overlap area 12. At least the overlap area 12 is free of any black printing, which ensures that the field of view 11 of the camera device 10 is particularly unobstructed and allows the surroundings of the vehicle 2 to be recorded with particular precision by the camera device 10. In addition to the camera device 10, the rain sensor device 9 is also located in the recording space 8. This device controls the windshield wipers of the vehicle 2 depending on whether the windshield 5 is wet. The rain sensor device 9 is arranged along a vertical direction z of the vehicle 2 above the camera device 10. Furthermore, in . Fig. It can be recognized that the camera device 10 is arranged along the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle in front of the rain sensor device 9. Thus, the field of view 11 of the camera device 10 is minimally obstructed by the rain sensor device 9. Arranging the camera device 10 along the vertical direction z of the vehicle below the rain sensor device 9 allows for a particularly compact design of the mounting device 4, since, due to the rain sensor device 9 being aligned along the vertical direction z of the vehicle above the camera device 10, the rain sensor device 9 and the camera device 10 can be positioned very close to each other without the field of view 11 of the camera device 10 being obstructed by the rain sensor device 9.

[0021] To enable particularly advantageous ventilation of the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9, the housing element 7 is provided with an opening 13. Air can flow into the receiving space 8 through the opening 13. The opening 13 of the housing element 7 is located, in particular, on a lower side of the housing element 7 oriented downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction z. This lower side of the housing element 7 faces an outlet opening of the vehicle's air conditioning system 2. Thus, air flowing out of the air conditioning system's outlet opening can flow into the receiving space 8 through the opening 13. An air guide 14 of the mounting device 4 is arranged in the receiving space 8, by means of which the air flowing into the receiving space 8 through the opening 13 can be directed to the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9.The air guidance device (14) comprises at least one first air guidance element (15) by means of which air flowing into the recording chamber (8) through the at least one opening (13) can be directed to the camera device (10) and / or the rain sensor device (9). The air guidance device 14 is shown in its rear view in . Fig. 2 and in their front view in Fig. 3 particularly easy to recognize. In Fig. Figure 2 shows only a partial view of the housing element 7, thus revealing the air guide device 14. The air guide device 14 comprises three first air guide elements 15, each designed as an air channel, and a second air guide element 16, also designed as an air channel. The first air guide elements 15 direct the air flowing into the recording chamber 8 through opening 13 to the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9, respectively. The air guided to the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9 by means of the first air guide elements 15 circulates around the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9. This airflow around the camera device 10 absorbs waste heat from the camera device 10.The heat absorbed by the camera 10 can be removed by air directed away from the camera 10 via the second air guide element 16. The airflow around the camera 10 thus allows for air cooling. The air carrying away the heat from the camera 10 can be discharged from the recording chamber 8 via the second air guide element 16, bypassing the rain sensor 9. This means that the air, having absorbed the heat from the camera 10, does not flow past the rain sensor 9, but instead flows directly from the recording chamber 8 into the interior of the vehicle 2. This effectively prevents overheating of the rain sensor 9.

[0022] The air guidance device 14 has three first air guidance elements 15, each of which defines a separate air guidance channel. For each air guidance channel defined by a respective first air guidance element 15, the housing element 7 has an opening 13 through which air from the interior of the vehicle 2 can flow into the respective air guidance channel defined by the respective first air guidance element 15. The air flowing into the recording chamber 8 can thus be directed separately to the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9, thereby minimizing interference between the operation of the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9.

[0023] To ensure particularly high recording precision of the camera device 10, it is necessary, as in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 3, it is provided that an area 17 of the windshield 5, located along the vehicle's vertical direction z below the overlap area 12, is kept free of black printing. This means that no black printing is applied to the area 17 of the windshield 5 located along the vehicle's vertical direction z below the overlap area 12. Applying black printing can cause the windshield 5 to warp, thereby changing the refractive power of the windshield 5 compared to its initial refractive power immediately before the application of the black printing. This change in the refractive power of the windshield 5, caused by the warping of the windshield 5, is to be compensated for by the camera device 10.By keeping the area 17 of the windshield 5 adjacent to the overlap area 12 along the vehicle's vertical direction z clear, the windshield 5 is particularly little distorted in the area 17, which means that the refractive force of the windshield 5 has to be compensated for very little or in particular no refractive force at all by means of the camera device 10.

[0024] The described mounting device 4 is based on the understanding that by incorporating air channels or air guide elements 15, 16 into the mounting device 4, particularly into the housing element 7, an airflow provided by a vehicle air conditioning system can be selectively redirected or extended, with the airflow being required for the rain sensor device 9. The rain sensor device 9 can also be referred to as a condensation sensor. The respective air guide elements 15, 16 can be integrated into the housing element 7 or provided on the retaining element 6 or on a camera mount. The retaining element 6 and / or the camera mount can be bonded to the windshield 5. The housing element 7 is either a camera cover or a mirror cap.The air guide device 14 enables a rearrangement of the camera device 10 and the rain sensor device 9 compared to the prior art arrangement of the rain sensor device 9 relative to the camera device 10. With the arrangement of the camera device 10 relative to the rain sensor device 9 of the mounting device 4, a required tolerance between the field of view 11 of the camera device 10 and a black print intended for the mounting device 4 on the windshield 5 is eliminated. The elimination of the black print in the area 17 along the vehicle's vertical axis z below the overlap area 12 allows a dimensional chain problem existing in the prior art along the vehicle's vertical axis with regard to a legally required field of view to be resolved.Furthermore, the fastening device 4 requires only a particularly small housing element 7, which allows for a particularly advantageous view of the traffic light as well as a particularly advantageous spatial effect for a vehicle occupant.

[0025] Overall, the invention demonstrates how an air redirection system can be provided for ADCAM / interior mirror nodes. Reference symbol list 1 Rearview mirror arrangement 2 motor vehicles 3 rearview mirrors 4 Fastening device 5 Windscreen 6 retaining element 7 Housing element 8 Recording room 9 Rain sensor device 10 Camera setup 11 Viewing area 12 Overlap area 13 Opening 14 Air guidance system 15 first air guide element 16 second air guide element Area 17

Claims

[1] Fastening device (4) for a rearview mirror (3) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a retaining element (6) by means of which the rearview mirror (3) can be received and held on a windshield (5) of the motor vehicle (2), a housing element (7) by means of which, together with a windshield (5) of the motor vehicle (2), a receiving space (8) can be defined in which the retaining element (6) can be received, and a rain sensor device (9) received in the receiving space (8) by means of which weather outside the motor vehicle (2) can be determined, wherein a camera device (10) received in the receiving space (8) is provided, the housing element (7) has at least one opening (13) through which air can flow into the receiving space (8), and the fastening device (4) has at least one air guide device (14),by means of which the air flowing into the recording chamber (8) through the opening (13) can be directed to the camera device (10) and the rain sensor device (9), characterized by , that the air guidance device (14) is arranged in the receiving chamber (8), wherein the air guidance device (14) comprises at least one first air guidance element (15) by means of which air flowing into the receiving chamber (8) via the at least one opening (13) can be directed to the camera device (10) and / or the rain sensor device (9), and wherein • the retaining element (6) provides the air guide device (14) or • the first air guide element (15) is provided on a camera holder which is glued to the windshield (5). [2] Fastening device (4) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the housing element (7) provides the air guidance device (14). [3] Rearview mirror arrangement (1) of a rearview mirror (3) on a windshield (5) of a motor vehicle (2), in which the rearview mirror (3) is held on the windshield (5) by means of a fastening device (4) according to claim 1 or 2. [4] Rearview mirror arrangement (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the camera device (10) is arranged along a vehicle vertical direction (z) below the rain sensor device (9). [5] Rearview mirror arrangement (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that the air guidance device (14) comprises at least a second air guidance element (16) by means of which air can be directed away from the camera device (10) bypassing the rain sensor device (9). [6] Rearview mirror arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that the opening (13) is arranged facing an outlet opening of a vehicle air conditioning unit on the housing element (7). [7] Rearview mirror arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by , that the camera device (10) with its viewing area (11) is directed into an environment of the motor vehicle (2), wherein the viewing area (11) intersects with the windshield (5) in an overlapping area (12). [8] Rearview mirror arrangement (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that an area (17) of the windshield (5) adjoining the overlap area (12) in the vehicle's vertical direction (z) downwards is free of black printing.

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