Motor vehicle with an adjustable camera arranged in a rear area

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) having a rear region (2) in which a camera (3) adjustable at least between a first position and a second position is arranged for detecting a predefined detection area (4). What is essential to the invention is - that the rear area (2) has at least one predefined load case area (5), - that the adjustable camera (3) is arranged outside the at least one predefined load case area (5), - that the adjustable camera (3) is designed such that it detects the predefined detection area (4) before and after a predefined load acting on the predefined load case area (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a rear region in which a camera, which is adjustable at least between a first position and a second position, is arranged for detecting a predefined detection region, according to the preamble of claim 1.DE 10 2017 119 832 A1 discloses a motor vehicle of the generic type having a rear region in which a camera, which is adjustable at least between a first position and a second position, is arranged for capturing a predefined capture region. The camera is adjustable between a vehicle body roof and a rear window by means of a position change device.DE 10 2014 109 930 A1 discloses a camera unit for a motor vehicle having a carrier housing which is arranged in an aperture of an outer cladding of the motor vehicle. A drive unit is also provided, which is connected to the carrier housing and is coupled to a movably mounted camera. The drive unit is thereby capable of moving the camera from a first position, into which it is covered by a protective cover, into a second position, which approximates the protective cover. The protective cover has a deformable, elastic sealing device which at least partially seals an opening in the protective cover in a sealing manner, provided that the camera is in its first position. During the movement into the second position, the camera at least partially deforms the sealing device and partially protrudes through the sealing device.U.S. Pat. No. 11 815 595 B2 discloses a vehicle sensor mounting structure comprising a first and a second sensor set each having a sensor group including a plurality of sensors. The respective sensor group is mounted via a holder.A disadvantage of motor vehicles known hitherto from the prior art having a camera system arranged in the rear region is that the motor vehicles must meet country-specific legal load tests, for example load cases, pendulum impact tests (US PART 581) or wall ramps. Such load tests can lead to an adjustment of a camera of the camera system, whereby the camera no longer captures the predefined capture range considered and thereby prevents autonomous driving in particular. This can be avoided, for example, by arranging the camera outside a so-called load-case range in which an impact is to be expected during the respective legal load tests. However, if the camera is positioned outside the predefined load-case range, this can result, for example, in it no longer detecting a predefined detection range and thus no longer fulfilling a function of actively intervening in a braking behavior, for example. Particular attention is paid here to an impermissible deviation of the camera detection after the load case and the active intervention in the braking behavior during reverse driving.The present invention therefore concerns the problem of specifying an improved or at least one alternative embodiment for a motor vehicle of the generic type, by means of which the disadvantages known from the prior art can be at least partially overcome.This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.The present invention is based on the general idea of arranging a camera for the first time in a rear region of a motor vehicle in such a way that said camera lies outside a predefined load-case region and therefore also continues to record its predefined recording range in the case of a predefined load acting on said predefined load-case region, for example a load from legally prescribed load tests, such as in particular a pendulum impact test. The motor vehicle according to the invention has a rear region in which a camera, which is adjustable at least between a first position and a second position, is arranged for capturing the predefined capture region. The rear region additionally has at least one predefined load-case region, wherein the adjustable camera is arranged outside this at least one predefined load-case region. This offers the great advantage that in the event of a predefined load acting on the predefined load-bearing region, for example from a legally defined load, such as in particular a pendulum impact test or a wall approach, no load is exerted on the adjustable camera. The adjustable camera is furthermore configured such that it captures the predefined capture range before and after a predefined load acting on the predefined load case range. The arrangement of a non-adjustable camera outside the predefined load-case range would indeed likewise protect it from a predefined load on this load-case range, but it could not capture the predefined capture range. If, on the other hand, a non-adjustable camera were arranged within the predefined load case range, then it could indeed capture the predefined capture range before the load acting thereon, but after the predefined load, for example after a pendulum impact test, it would be adjusted in such a way that it can no longer capture the predefined capture range. By means of the camera according to the invention arranged outside the predefined load-bearing range and at the same time adjustable, a deviation of a viewing angle before and after the load can thus be avoided. Due to the adjustability of the camera, it can ensure the observation of the predefined detection range before and after the application of the predefined load to the predefined load case range.In an advantageous development of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the camera is pivotable about an axis, in particular about an axis running in the transverse direction of the vehicle. This makes it possible to use the camera in the first position as a so-called rear-top-view camera and, for example, to use it for autonomous driving, while the camera in its second position can be used as a rear-view camera and in this case can in particular capture a rear roadway region behind the motor vehicle according to the invention, as a result of which an improved maneuvering capability is provided for a user of the motor vehicle.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the camera is arranged in its first position in a surface-aligned manner with a trim part surrounding the camera. This offers the great advantage that the camera in its first position does not engage, or only marginally engages, a surface design of the motor vehicle and can thus be placed comparatively non-significantly. Since the camera is usually in its first position, in which it is arranged in the rear cladding in a visually non-noticeable manner, design advantages are provided in particular.The camera is expediently arranged between a rear bumper and a rear spoiler of the rear cladding. In this position, it is therefore covered from above by the rear spoiler and nevertheless has a comparatively large field of view toward the rear and toward the bottom. In addition, by arranging the camera between the rear bumper and the rear spoiler, an arrangement outside the at least one predefined load-case range, i.e. above the predefined load-case ranges in the present case, can be achieved, such that the camera preferably remains unaffected when a predefined load acts on the predefined load-case range.The camera is expediently arranged on an upper edge of the rear bumper. This makes it possible to place the camera in its first position in a surface-aligned and thus optically virtually imperceptible manner, while it is pivoted out in its second position and thereby enables an improved viewing range on a rear roadway. In the first position, the camera can thus be used during forward driving-if necessary also for autonomous driving. The camera is retracted during forward driving and is not used. However, when reversing, the camera moves to its second position, but is protected from remplers because it is outside the range occupied by the pendulum.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, a computer device for at least partially autonomous driving is provided, wherein the camera is connected to the computer device in a communicating manner. In autonomous driving, an around view around the autonomously driving motor vehicle is required, so that the camera can be used in this case in its first position as a so-called rear-top-view camera for autonomous driving and in its second position as a rear-view camera, for example for parking.The camera is expediently arranged centrally on the motor vehicle in the transverse direction of the vehicle. As a result, a comparatively large, since in particular a wide detection range can be defined, so that the camera can detect a comparatively large amount both in its first position and in its second position.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the predefined load case range is determined by predefined load tests. Such predefined load tests can be, for example, legally prescribed impact tests, for example a pendulum impact test which takes place with a predefined load at a predefined height and with a predefined body. The arrangement of the camera is selected in such a way that it lies outside the at least one predefined load-case range, whereby in particular direct damage to the camera by, for example, an impact body can be reliably avoided.Further important features and advantages of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.It is understood that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The above-mentioned components of a superordinate unit, such as a device, a device or an arrangement, which are designated separately, can form separate components or components of this unit or can be integral regions or sections of this unit, even if this is illustrated differently in the drawings.Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally the same components.They show, in each case schematically, FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a motor vehicle according to the invention in a rear region, FIG. 2 is a view of the motor vehicle according to the invention with the camera in its first position, FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the camera in its second position.According to FIGS. 1-3, a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention has a rear region 2, in which a camera 3, which is adjustable at least between a first position (compare FIG. 2 ) and a second position (compare FIG. 3 ), is arranged for capturing a predefined capture region 4. In FIG. 1, the camera 3 is shown both in its first position (pivoted in) and in its second position (pivoted out). The rear region 2 additionally has at least one predefined load-case region 5, wherein, in accordance with FIGS. 1-3, the camera 3 is arranged outside, i.e. in the specific case above, the load-case regions 5. The adjustable camera 3 is furthermore configured such that it captures the predefined capture range 4 before and after the predefined load acting on the predefined load case range 5.The predefined load-drop region 5 can be defined, for example, by predefined load tests with predefined impact bodies 6, for example a wall or a strike.The load drop ranges 5 can be different in terms of country-specific terms depending on the legal requirements placed on different load tests with, for example, different impact bodies 6, wherein the arrangement of the camera 3 is always selected such that it lies outside, in the present case above, the load drop range 5 or the load drop ranges 5.If FIG. 1 is thereby viewed, it can be seen that a rear view camera 7 was previously arranged in the predefined load case region 5, which was adjusted during an impact by the impact body 6 or a wall ramp in such a way that it could not further capture its original and preset capture range. Due to the arrangement according to the invention of the pivotable camera 3 outside, i.e. in the specific case above, the load-bearing regions 5, the latter is protected from a load acting on the load-bearing region 5 and can therefore fulfil its function independently of a load acting on the load-bearing region 5.Looking further at FIGS. 1 to 3, an axle 8 can be seen there which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle and about which the camera 3 can be pivoted between its first and second position.In its first position, the camera 3 is preferably arranged in a surface-aligned manner with a cladding part 9 surrounding the camera 3, for example a bumper 10. This surface-aligned arrangement does not impair, or only marginally impairs, a design of the rear region 2. The camera 3 can furthermore be arranged between the bumper 10 and a rear spoiler 11 arranged above it, wherein in the present case an arrangement of the camera 3 is provided on an upper edge of the rear bumper 10.The motor vehicle 1 can furthermore have a computer device 12 for at least partially autonomous driving, wherein the camera 3 is connected to the computer device 12 in a communicating manner. This makes it possible to leave the camera 3 in its first position (compare FIGS. 1 and 2 ), for example for at least partially autonomous driving, as a result of which it can be used as a so-called rear-top-view camera. If the camera 3 is pivoted out into its second position (compare FIGS. 1 and 3 ), it can be used as a rear camera, for example for rear parking.The camera 3 is preferably arranged centrally on the motor vehicle 1 in the transverse direction of the vehicle, whereby a comparatively wide detection range 4 perpendicular to the image plane shown in FIG. 1 is possible.

Claims

Motor vehicle (1) having a rear region (2), in which a camera (3) which can be adjusted at least between a first position and a second position is arranged for detecting a predefined detection region (4), characterized - in that the rear region (2) has at least one predefined load-case region (5), - in that the adjustable camera (3) is arranged outside the at least one predefined load-case region (5), - in that the adjustable camera (3) is designed in such a way that it detects the predefined detection region (4) before and after a predefined load acting on the predefined load-case region (5).Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the camera (3) is pivotable about an axis (8).Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the axis (8) runs in the transverse direction of the vehicle.Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera (3) in its first position is arranged in a surface-aligned manner with a cladding part (9) surrounding the camera (3).Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera (3) is arranged between a rear bumper (10) and a rear spoiler (11).Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the camera (3) is arranged on an upper edge of the rear bumper (10).Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a computer device (12) for at least partially autonomous driving is provided, wherein the camera (3) is connected to the computer device (12) in a communicating manner.Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera (3) is arranged centrally on the motor vehicle (1) in the transverse direction of the vehicle.Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one predefined load-case region (5) is determined by predefined load tests.

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