Motor vehicle with a camera and method for operating a camera on a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a camera (10) which is guided and movable in a fender area (6) of the motor vehicle (1) between a passive position, in which the camera (10) is recessed in the fender area (6) behind a cover (8), and an active position, in which the camera (10) protrudes laterally from the fender area (6) of the motor vehicle (1) to capture the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1), by means of at least one cam guide (15;20). In order to functionally improve the motor vehicle (1), the cam guide (15;20) comprises at least a curved cam track (21,22) with a transverse guide component for guiding the camera (10) when extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle and with an upward guide component for guiding the camera (10) when extending in a vertical direction of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for operating a camera on such a motor vehicle.

[0002] European patent EP 3 736 174 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a camera that, by means of a drive mechanism incorporating a cam follower, can be extended translationally from a retracted position, in which the camera is covered by a lens, out of a fender. International patent WO 2023 / 044853 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a camera that can be pivoted outwards from a fender from a retracted position, in which the camera is covered by a lens.German patent application DE 10 2013 018 022 A1 discloses a motor vehicle camera system with an image acquisition unit and a drive device by means of which the image acquisition unit can be moved from a rest position to at least one operating position, wherein the image acquisition unit is arranged in a recording space of a motor vehicle and the recording space has a movable shutter element, wherein the shutter element closes the recording space when the image acquisition unit is in its rest position, and opens the recording space at least partially to the surroundings when the image acquisition unit has moved into an operating position.The generic German patent application DE 10 2009 008 281 A1 discloses a device with a camera unit for capturing images of the exterior of a motor vehicle, with a camera that is movably mounted in a housing of the camera unit between a retraction position and an image capture position, and with a cover element that is movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the housing, wherein the movement of the camera and the movement of the cover element can be generated by a drive unit.

[0003] The object of the invention is to functionally improve a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 with regard to at least partially autonomous driving operation.

[0004] The problem is solved by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. The camera is preferably a driver assistance camera that captures the lateral surroundings of the motor vehicle during at least semi-autonomous driving. When the camera extends from its passive position, it is first extended laterally along the transverse guide component in a substantially translational manner and then laterally upwards. This allows the camera's viewing angle to be optimized in the active position. Furthermore, the transverse guide component of the curved cam track enables a substantially translational movement in the transverse direction of the vehicle when the camera is extended. This allows a clean, seamless appearance between the lens and the outer fender skin in the fender area to be achieved with relatively simple means.The combined movement of the camera, with a lateral and a vertical component, results in a kind of panning motion. Furthermore, the track can also be slightly angled inwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle at the end corresponding to the camera's active position. To retract the camera from its active to its passive position, the self-locking mechanism can be overcome, for example, by a suitably designed and positioned actuator, or manually.

[0005] A preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the cam track is combined with a self-locking mechanism that holds the camera in its active position. In the open state, i.e., in its active state, the camera is held securely, for example, by locking lugs, magnets, or a corresponding spring preload. This ensures that the camera remains in its active position even when external forces, such as crosswinds or road surface disturbances, occur during operation of the motor vehicle.

[0006] Another preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the camera in a fender area of ​​the motor vehicle is movable between its passive position, in which the camera is recessed behind the lens in the fender area, and an active position, in which the camera protrudes laterally from the fender area of ​​the motor vehicle to capture the surroundings of the motor vehicle, guided by means of at least the cam guide.

[0007] Another preferred embodiment of the vehicle is characterized in that the aperture is combined with the camera housing in a jointly movable functional unit. In this jointly movable functional unit, the aperture is preferably fixed to the camera housing. Depending on the embodiment, the aperture can also be integrally connected to the camera housing. This reduces the number of individual parts required. The jointly movable functional unit simplifies the kinematics for extending and retracting the camera and aperture.

[0008] Another preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that a handlebar is attached to the camera housing, the handlebar having a cam follower at one end that is guided in the cam track. This ensures stable guidance of the camera during retraction and extension using simple means. It is particularly advantageous to have two cam guides, each with two cam tracks, on the motor vehicle. This allows for very stable guidance of the camera during retraction and extension in a simple manner.

[0009] Another preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the cam track comprises at least one cam track arranged at the front and at least one cam track arranged at the rear of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, with the camera arranged between the two cam tracks in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It is particularly advantageous to have two cam tracks at both the front and the rear. The cam tracks are advantageously combined with a camera housing and an actuator in a camera module and integrated into the fender.

[0010] Another preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the camera can be extended from its passive position to its active position through a recess in the outer fender skin. For this purpose, a through-hole is preferably provided in the outer fender skin, which is completely surrounded by the fender skin. This simplifies the installation of the camera with its at least one guide rail in the fender area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0011] Another preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle is characterized in that the cam track is combined with an actuator motor by which the camera can be moved in a defined manner between its passive and active positions. The actuator motor also advantageously serves to overcome the self-locking mechanism in order to move the camera from its stable active position back to its passive position in the fender.

[0012] In a method for operating a camera on a previously described motor vehicle, the problem stated above is solved alternatively or additionally by preferably holding the camera in its active position in a self-locking manner. This reliably prevents the camera from retracting unintentionally while the motor vehicle is in operation.

[0013] The invention may also relate to a cam follower, a camera, a fender, a fender outer skin, an actuator, a camera housing, a handlebar and / or a cover for a previously described motor vehicle, insofar as these individual parts are separately marketable and designed in accordance with the invention.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective partially cutaway representation of a motor vehicle with a camera arranged in a fender area, which, as illustrated by a sequence of movements, can be moved between a passive position and an active position; Fig. 2 an enlarged section from Fig. 1 with a cam track that is curved upwards in a hook shape at one end associated with the active position of the camera; and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a longitudinal section through the camera in its passive position.

[0015] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with a supporting structure 2, shown in perspective and partially in section. The supporting structure 2 includes an A-pillar 3 with a fender 4.

[0016] A camera 10 with a camera housing 13 and an aperture 8 is integrated into the fender 4. The camera housing 13 of the camera 10 is combined with the aperture 8 in a functional unit 9, which together can be moved from a passive position within the fender 4 to an active position via a recess 14 in the outer fender skin 5. In its active position, the camera 10 protrudes from the outer fender skin 5 of the fender 4, as indicated by the camera viewing angle 7 of the extended camera 10 in a fender area 6.

[0017] Camera 10 is a driver assistance camera used to capture the area to the side of the vehicle 1, preferably during semi-autonomous operation. The movement of camera 10 between its retracted passive position and its extended active position is controlled by a corresponding movement sequence. Fig. 1 indicated.

[0018] The movement of camera 10, or rather of the functional unit 9 with camera 10 in camera housing 13 and aperture 8, is guided by two cam guides 15 and 20. The two cam guides 15 and 20 are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0019] Therefore, the scenery guide 15 can also be referred to as the front scenery guide 15. Similarly, the scenery guide 20 can be referred to as the rear scenery guide 20. The camera 10 is positioned in its camera housing 13 between the two scenery guides 15 and 20.

[0020] The guided tours 15 and 20 each comprise two scenery tracks 21 and 22, as can be seen from the perspective of the Fig. 1 on the scenery guide 20. In the scenery tracks 21, 22, a scenery block 23, 24 is guided in a scenery-like manner. The scenery block 23, 24 is coupled to the camera housing 10 and to the functional unit 9 respectively via a linkage, which is only visible on the scenery guide 20.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 2 shows that the scenery track 20 with its scenery rails 21, 22 is designed such that the camera 10 is held stably in its extended active position. This is shown in Fig. 2 is realized in particular by a hook-like curvature at one end 25 associated with the active position of the camera 10. This has the advantage that, if a force is applied to the camera 10 in its active position from the outside, for example by wind loads, the camera 10 is not pushed back into the vehicle interior.

[0022] The hook-like curvature of the scenery track 22 at its end 25 also provides the advantage that the camera 10 is pressed even more firmly into its end position in the scenery guide 20 when subjected to external forces, such as wind loads. This also advantageously stabilizes it against unwanted movement caused by rough road surfaces.

[0023] A drive linkage can, with the aid of a servo motor, move the camera back out of the hook-like end 25 along the track 22 against the externally acting forces, in order to retract the camera 10 into its passive position by the servo motor or manually.

[0024] The scenery guides 15 and 20 are fixed to the vehicle in the fender 4. The scenery pieces 23 and 24 are guided in the scenery tracks 21 and 22 so that they can move freely.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 3 schematically indicates in a longitudinal section view that the camera 10, in its passive position, is arranged entirely within the fender 4, that is, between an outer fender skin 5 and the body shell of the A-pillar 3. Retraction and extension movements of the camera 10 are effected, for example, by an actuator 18, with the movements being guided by the cam guides 15 and 20. The camera 10, the cam guides 15 and 20, and the actuator 18 are advantageously encapsulated in a camera module 27 with a separate housing inside the fender 4.

[0026] In Fig. 3. A vehicle longitudinal direction 30, a vehicle transverse direction 31 and a vehicle vertical direction 32 are indicated by arrow symbols. Reference sign 1 motor vehicle 2 Supporting structure 3 A-pillar 4 fenders 5 fender outer skin 6 fender area 8 aperture 9 Functional unit 10 Camera 13 camera bodies 14 Exclusion 15 Backstage tour 16 handlebars 18 Actuator 19 Inner fender part 20 Backstage Tour 21 scenery railway 22 scenery railway 23 Scenery stone 24 Scenery stone 25 End 27 camera modules 30 Vehicle longitudinal direction 31 Vehicle transverse direction 32 Vehicle height direction

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with a camera (10) which is movable between a passive position in which the camera (10) is recessed behind a cover (8) and an active position in which the camera (10) is guided to capture the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1) by means of at least one cam guide (15;20), wherein the cam guide (15;20) comprises at least one curved cam track (21,22) with a transverse guide component for guiding the camera (10) when extending in a transverse direction (31) of the vehicle and with an upward guide component for guiding the camera (10) when extending in a vertical direction (32) of the vehicle, characterized by the scenery track (20) is curved upwards in a hook-like manner at one end (25) associated with the activation position of the camera (10) in the vehicle height direction (32). [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the scenery control (15;20) is combined with a self-locking mechanism that keeps the camera (10) in its active position. [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (10) in a fender area (6) of the motor vehicle (1) is guided and movable between its passive position, in which the camera (10) is recessed in the fender area (6) behind the aperture (8), and an active position, in which the camera (10) protrudes laterally from the fender area (6) of the motor vehicle (1) to capture the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1), by means of at least the cam guide (15;20). [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the aperture (8) is combined with a camera body (13) of the camera (10) in a jointly movable functional unit (9). [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a handle (16) is attached to the camera housing (13), which has a cam track (23,24) at one end, which is guided in the cam track (21,22). [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cam track (15;20) comprises at least one cam track (21,22) arranged at the front in a longitudinal direction (30) of the vehicle and at least one cam track (21,22) arranged at the rear in a longitudinal direction (30) of the vehicle, wherein the camera (10) is arranged in a longitudinal direction (30) of the vehicle between the two cam tracks (21,22). [7] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the camera (10) can be extended from its passive position to its active position through a recess (14) in a fender outer skin (5). [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the scenery control (15;20) is combined with a servo motor (18) by which the camera (10) can be moved in a defined manner between its passive position and its active position. [9] Method for operating a camera (10) on a motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the camera (10) is preferably held in its active position in a self-locking manner. [10] Guide vane (15, 20), camera (10), fender (4), fender outer skin (5), actuator (18), camera housing (13), handlebar (16) and / or aperture (8) for a motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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