Camera exterior mirror device

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera external mirror device (2) comprising a camera holder (6) on which at least one first camera (18) is mounted, and further comprising a second camera (22) whose optical axis in a basic position deviates from the optical axis of the first camera (18), having a pivoting device (26) for pivoting the camera holder (6) about two mutually perpendicular axes and / or about two intersecting axes.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a camera external mirror device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Camera-based systems that replace exterior mirrors in motor vehicles offer several advantages over conventional mirrors. These so-called digital or virtual exterior mirrors use compact, aerodynamically mounted cameras on the sides of the vehicle to capture real-time images of the road and surroundings. The camera images are displayed on high-resolution screens inside the vehicle, usually near the A-pillars or on the dashboard.

[0003] These camera-based systems are smaller and less bulky than conventional side mirrors, which improves aerodynamics and can lead to lower fuel consumption and increased range for electric vehicles at high speeds. They also allow for more flexible field of view coverage, thus reducing blind spots, as they can capture a wide field of vision. This allows the driver to see areas that are difficult to see with conventional mirrors, such as tight intersections or the area behind the vehicle in tight parking spaces. Some systems also offer automatic changes in viewing angle when the vehicle brakes or turns, which significantly improves visibility in critical situations.

[0004] The cameras in these wing mirror replacement systems are often equipped with special lenses and sensors that adapt to changing light and weather conditions. These systems can automatically brighten or optimize the image to ensure clear visibility in darkness, rain, or fog. In addition, the camera units are frequently heated or coated with a water-repellent finish to prevent the lenses from sticking or fogging up.

[0005] Despite their numerous advantages, camera-based mirror replacement systems also present some challenges. Firstly, it must be ensured that the displays and cameras are robust against vibrations and external influences and guarantee lag-free real-time transmission. Secondly, it must be ensured that the camera's field of view provides the driver with good visibility.

[0006] From DE 20 2021 104 395 U1, a camera mirror assembly for a vehicle is known, comprising a swivel unit which is rotatable with respect to a rigid shaft which is formed on a base which is provided on the vehicle, and which comprises a support frame at whose two ends the swivel unit and a camera are mounted accordingly, wherein the support frame is designed to be foldable in and out with respect to the vehicle in order to change a position of the camera while the swivel unit rotates.

[0007] From DE 10 2018 116 836 A1 a rearview device for a vehicle is known, with at least one sensor for capturing information about the vehicle's surroundings.

[0008] Based on the disadvantages described above, the invention aims to provide a camera-mounted external mirror device with an optimized field of view.

[0009] This problem is solved by a camera-external mirror device according to claim 1. The camera-external mirror device comprises a camera holder on which at least one first camera is mounted, and further comprises a second camera whose optical axis, in a basic position, differs from the optical axis of the first camera. The camera-external mirror device is characterized by a pivoting device for pivoting the camera holder about two mutually perpendicular axes and / or about two intersecting axes.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] The basic position specifies, in particular, a starting position of the camera mount from which it can be swiveled to its maximum extent in all directions. It can also correspond to a specific viewing direction of the cameras, where, for example, one camera is oriented to the rear and the other to the front when mounted.

[0012] In a first preferred embodiment, the swiveling device is designed as a lever drive with a first lever and a second lever, which are coupled to the camera holder at two coupling points arranged at right angles to each other with respect to a central axis of the camera holder. This allows the camera holder to swivel about two axes that are essentially perpendicular to each other. This provides a large field of view for the two cameras.

[0013] The two levers are preferably coupled to the camera mount at the two coupling areas by means of ball joints, thus achieving a large freedom of movement and a large available field of view.

[0014] Advantageously, each lever can be moved by a separate drive unit. In this way, each lever can be moved selectively by a dedicated drive unit.

[0015] The respective drive unit preferably comprises an electric motor (DC motor) with a downstream gearbox.

[0016] At least one of the gears preferably includes a worm gear. This allows for very precise camera holder movements, and the self-locking mechanism prevents accidental adjustment of the camera holder's position.

[0017] The respective lever is preferably coupled to the respective transmission via a joint and another lever.

[0018] In a second preferred embodiment, the camera holder has a swivel cross, wherein a first swivel cable is attached to two opposite sides of the swivel cross, which is guided over a first swivel pulley that can be driven by a first drive unit, and wherein a second swivel cable is attached to two other opposite sides of the cross, which is guided over a second swivel pulley that can be driven by a second drive unit.

[0019] The camera mount is preferably actuated by a spring element in such a way that the two swivel ropes or swivel cables are under tension.

[0020] The respective drive unit advantageously includes an electric motor.

[0021] Advantageously, the second camera is also mounted on the camera bracket. This allows both cameras to be adjusted in their viewing direction using the same panning mechanism.

[0022] The camera holder advantageously has a first camera surface and a second camera surface angled to the first camera surface, in particular at right angles, wherein the first camera is mounted on the first camera surface and the second camera is mounted on the second camera surface.

[0023] The cameras' kinematic concept is based on the functionality of a marionette. Pan cables are attached to the camera mount on the pan / tilt mechanism, and the cameras are positioned on the mount. Two to three cameras should be used. The entire camera mount moves; the cameras are not panned independently, but rather the entire mount itself. Pulling on the respective pan cable moves the camera assembly. This cable / rope solution offers the advantage that the actuators can be positioned elsewhere on the door / vehicle, and the cables can be routed to the camera assembly via pulleys. This allows for flexible use of the limited installation space.

[0024] The camera external playback device advantageously comprises a housing in which the camera holder and the swivel mechanism are arranged. At least the portion of the housing that surrounds the camera holder and thus the cameras is transparent to light falling upon the housing. The housing is preferably constructed in two parts, with a first part comprising the swivel mechanism and a second part or attachment that encloses the cameras.

[0025] The camera-equipped exterior mirror device preferably includes at least one lighting unit.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, at least one sensor, in particular a radar or lidar sensor, is arranged on the camera holder instead of or in addition to a camera.

[0027] The invention also relates to a camera-based exterior mirror device system, comprising a camera-based exterior mirror device as described above and a display unit for displaying at least one camera image. In this way, the camera image can be transmitted to the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0028] The camera-based exterior mirror device system advantageously includes a control unit. The control unit is preferably set up or configured to provide the functionalities described below.

[0029] Further advantageous features of the invention and the advantages of the described camera-based exterior mirror device are described below. Cameras are located on the outside of the car, which can display the rearward image on displays inside the vehicle. The displayed image can be adapted to the driving situation. For example, when maneuvering or turning, the camera can be moved in the appropriate direction to provide the driver with information that a conventional side mirror does not offer.

[0030] Two cameras allow for different viewing angles, thus increasing safety through better coverage of the surroundings, adapted to a specific driving situation.

[0031] The vertical and horizontal axes of the cameras can be moved independently of each other by means of two direct current motors or DC motors in the drive units.

[0032] The camera-equipped exterior mirrors allow safety functions to be integrated into the vehicle's system. While driving, features such as blind spot monitoring and collision warning can be provided. When the vehicle is parked, the surroundings can be monitored, thus providing protection against theft and vandalism.

[0033] The camera's range depends on its specifications. Modern cameras can cover a very wide area, comparable to or better than conventional mirrors.

[0034] The resolution of the respective camera is preferably between 2 and 12 megapixels.

[0035] Movable cameras offer flexibility for various driving situations, and the field of view can be specifically adjusted and focused. Wide-angle cameras distort the image, especially at the edges, and have a lower resolution for a given area of ​​the image. The pan / tilt mechanism is advantageously configured so that one camera can complete an 80° rotation within 5 seconds. Using two cameras provides redundancy. Depending on the angle of the cameras relative to each other, the front camera can be directed backward.

[0036] The advantages of pan-tilt cameras, as proposed here, over wide-angle cameras lie in image quality and resolution, and in the fact that pan-tilt cameras can capture a specific area at full resolution, while wide-angle cameras have to distribute the available resolution over a larger area. Distortions at the edges, which are typical of wide-angle cameras, do not occur.

[0037] The movable cameras offer a situation-adapted view and allow for targeted adjustment of the field of view depending on the driving situation (parking, lane changes, highway driving). Optimized focus on relevant areas is enabled through dynamic alignment.

[0038] EU regulations can be complied with using the camera-equipped exterior mirror device.

[0039] Night vision functionality can also be provided. The camera systems and / or the control unit are preferably equipped with software that brightens the image in low-light conditions to ensure good visibility even in darkness. Alternatively, external lighting is also conceivable. External lighting can be integrated, in particular, to further improve visibility in low-light conditions.

[0040] The camera housing can be heated and coated with special coatings to prevent icing and fogging.

[0041] One camera can be permanently installed, while the other can be moved independently using the camera mount to cover different viewing angles. The cameras can be configured to adjust automatically or remain fixed, depending on the driving situation and design requirements.

[0042] The components of the camera-mounted exterior mirror device are preferably made of shatterproof plastic.

[0043] The described camera-integrated exterior mirror device enables extended functionalities. It allows for active tracking of objects or vehicles through motion-based auto-tracking. Time-based automatic scan functions for systematic monitoring of various areas can also be implemented.

[0044] The camera-based exterior mirror system enables the implementation of safety-relevant functionalities. Improved detection of hazardous situations is achieved through targeted focus on critical areas. Optimized visibility is provided when cornering, which is particularly important for larger vehicles. Improved visibility of trailers / semi-trailers when cornering is possible through automatic tracking.

[0045] The camera-integrated side mirror system offers flexibility, ergonomics, and ease of use. Remote control of each camera allows for manual adjustments as needed. Various zoom levels can be combined with movement for optimized visibility. A more natural view, similar to that of conventional mirrors, can be achieved by precisely positioning the camera mount. Focusing on relevant areas reduces the driver's cognitive load.

[0046] Furthermore, the camera-equipped exterior mirror system provides safety functions. Approaching individuals can be tracked, classified, and access permissions granted. The actions of unauthorized persons are also classified and translated into vehicle responses.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, it may also be provided that a wide-angle camera is combined with a movable camera.

[0048] Another version envisions combining a wide-angle camera with one or two movable cameras. This ensures that rear-view monitoring, i.e., the rearview mirror replacement function, is always available, while the other one or more cameras can be used for additional functions.

[0049] Further objectives, advantages, features, and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. All features described and / or illustrated, individually or in any meaningful combination, constitute the subject matter of the present invention, even independently of their compilation in the claims or their cross-references.

[0050] Some of these show schematically: Fig. 1 a camera external mirror device in a first preferred embodiment in a basic position in a first perspective view; Fig. 2 the camera exterior mirror device according to Fig. 1 in a further perspective view; Fig. 3 the camera exterior mirror device according to Fig. 1 in a position with block direction top right in a perspective view; Fig. 4 the camera exterior mirror device according to Fig. 1 with a partially depicted housing in a perspective view; Fig. 5 a camera external mirror device in a second preferred embodiment, and Fig. 6 the camera exterior mirror device according to Fig. 5 with a case.

[0051] Identical or equivalent components are labelled with reference numerals in the following figures of the drawing, based on one embodiment, to improve readability. Not all components are labelled with reference numerals in all figures.

[0052] One in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The camera-equipped external mirror device 2, shown in a basic position, comprises a camera holder 6, which has two camera surfaces angled relative to each other, namely a first camera surface 10 and a second camera surface 14, which are angled relative to each other, in particular substantially at a right angle. A first camera 18 is mounted on the first camera surface 10, and a second camera 22 is mounted on the second camera surface 14. The two cameras 18, 22 are not designed as wide-angle cameras. Their optical axes are oriented substantially at a perpendicular angle to each other.

[0053] The camera-mounted external mirror device 2 has a pivoting device 26, which in this case is designed as a lever drive 30. The lever drive 30 has a first lever 34 and a second lever 38. The first lever 34 is connected via a first rotatable joint 42 to a third lever 46, which is rigidly connected to a first gear 50. The first gear 50 is in engagement with a second gear 54, which is rigidly connected to a gear segment 58.

[0054] A first drive unit 62 comprises an electric motor 66, which drives a shaft 70 with a worm shaft 74. The worm shaft 74 is in mesh with the gear segment 58.

[0055] The camera mount 6 has a central column 80 aligned along a central axis 84. A first web 88 extends perpendicular to the central column 80, to which the first lever 34 is coupled in a first coupling area 96 via a first ball joint 92. When the worm shaft 74 is rotated by the electric motor 66, its rotational movement is transmitted to gear segment 58, gear 54, gear 50, and the third lever 46. Due to the connection of the third lever 46 with the first lever 34 via the first joint 42, the first lever 34 shifts in a direction essentially along the direction of the central axis 84, thus pivoting the camera mount 6 about a first axis.

[0056] The second lever 38 is coupled by a rotatable second joint 100 to a rotatably mounted fourth lever 104, on which a gear segment is formed which engages with a worm shaft 112 on a shaft 116, the shaft 116 being driven by an electric motor 118 of a second drive unit 120.

[0057] A second web 134 extends perpendicularly from the central column 80, to which the second lever 38 is coupled in a second coupling area 142 via a first ball joint 138. Due to the movement of the second lever 38 in a direction essentially along the direction of the central axis 84, the camera holder 6 is pivoted about a second axis oriented perpendicular to the first. This is made possible by the arrangement of the levers 34 and 38 and their coupling to the camera holder in the two coupling areas 96 and 142.

[0058] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the camera external mirror device 2, in which a viewing direction to the upper right is set with the aid of the swivel device 26.

[0059] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the camera-side mirror device 2 with a partially depicted housing 150 or a covering, where only a first housing part 200 is shown. A second housing part 204 (not shown) surrounds the camera holder 6 with the cameras 19, 22. In this way, only the second housing part 204 needs to be removed if, for example, the cameras 19, 22 need to be replaced.

[0060] A camera-equipped external mirror device 2 in a second preferred embodiment is in the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the camera mount. The first camera 18 and the second camera 22 are mounted on two camera surfaces 10 and 14 on the camera mount 6. The camera mount 6 has a pan-tilt mechanism 156. A first pan-tilt cable 160 is attached to two opposite sides of the pan-tilt mechanism 156 and is guided over a first pan-tilt pulley 164, which can be driven by a drive unit 170. A second pan-tilt cable 174 is attached to two further opposite sides of the pan-tilt mechanism 156 and is guided over a second pan-tilt pulley 176, which can be driven by a drive unit 180.

[0061] The camera holder 6 is actuated by a spring element 184, so that the two swivel bands are under tension. For this purpose, the camera holder 6 has a central column 80, which extends from the center of the swivel cross 156 and has a collar 190, with the spring element 184 arranged under pre-tension between the swivel cross 156 and the collar 190. In a marionette, this pre-tension is achieved, in a sense, by gravity and the marionette hanging from the strings. By rotating the swivel pulleys 164, 176, the camera holder 6 can be pivoted about two axes perpendicular to each other.

[0062] As in Fig.As can be seen in Figure 6, the camera external mirror device 2 has a housing 150, which is constructed in two parts: a first housing part 200, which surrounds the swivel device 26, and a second housing part 204, which surrounds the camera holder 6 with the cameras 19, 22. In this way, only the second housing part 204 needs to be removed if, for example, the cameras 19, 22 need to be replaced. Reference symbol list 2 camera exterior mirror device 6 camera holders 10 first camera area 14 second camera area 18 first camera 22 second camera 26 Swivel device 30 Lever drive 34 first lever 38 second lever 42 first joint 46 third lever 50 first gear 54 second gear 58 gear segment 62 Drive unit 66 Electric motor 70 wave 74 worm shaft 80 central column 84 Central axis 88 first jetty 92 first ball joint 96 first coupling area 100 second joint 104 fourth lever 112 worm shaft 116 wave 118 Electric motor 120 drive unit 134 second jetty 138 second ball joint 142 second coupling area 150 cases 156 Swivel cross 160 first swivel rope 164 first swivel caster 170 drive unit 174 second swivel rope 176 second swivel caster 180 drive unit 184 Spring element 190 collar 200 first housing part 204 second housing part

Claims

[1] Camera external mirror device (2) comprising a camera holder (6) on which at least one first camera (18) is mounted, and further comprising a second camera (22) whose optical axis in a basic position differs from the optical axis of the first camera (18), characterized by a swivel device (26) for swiveling the camera holder (6) about two mutually perpendicular axes and / or about two intersecting axes. [2] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the swivel device (26) is designed as a lever drive (30) with a first lever (34) and a second lever (38) which are coupled to the camera holder (6) at two coupling areas (96, 142) arranged at substantially right angles to each other in relation to a central axis (84) of the camera holder (6). [3] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the two levers (34, 38) are coupled to the camera holder (6) at the two coupling areas (96, 142) by means of ball joints (92, 138). [4] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the respective lever (34, 38) can be moved by a separate drive unit (62, 120). [5] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the respective drive unit (62, 120) comprises an electric motor (66, 118) with a downstream gearbox (50, 54, 58, 74; 112). [6] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 5, characterized by , that at least one of the gears includes a worm gear (58, 74; 112). [7] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the respective lever (34, 38) is coupled to the respective transmission (50, 54, 58, 74; 112) via a joint (42, 100) and another lever (46, 104). [8] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the camera holder (6) has a pan-tilt cross (156), wherein a first pan-tilt cable (160) is attached to two opposite sides of the pan-tilt cross (156), which is guided over a first pan-tilt pulley (164) which can be driven by a first drive unit (170), and wherein a second pan-tilt cable (174) is attached to two other opposite sides of the cross, which is guided over a second pan-tilt pulley (176) which can be driven by a second drive unit (180). [9] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the camera holder (6) is acted upon by a spring element (184) such that the two swivel cables (160, 174) are under tension. [10] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the respective drive unit (170, 180) has an electric motor. [11] Camera external mirror device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second camera (22) is also mounted on the camera holder (6). [12] Camera external mirror device (2) according to claim 11, characterized by , that the camera holder (6) has a first camera surface (10) and a second camera surface (14) angled to the first camera surface, in particular at right angles, wherein the first camera (18) is mounted on the first camera surface (10) and the second camera (22) is mounted on the second camera surface (14). [13] Camera external mirror device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (150) in which the camera holder (6) and the swivel device (26) are arranged. [14] Camera external mirror device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one lighting unit. [15] Camera external mirror device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sensor, in particular a radar or lidar sensor, is arranged on the camera holder (6) instead of or in addition to a camera (18). [16] Camera external mirror device system (2) comprising a camera external mirror device (2) according to one of the preceding claims and a display unit for displaying at least one camera image. [17] Camera external mirror device system (2) according to claim 16, comprising a control unit.

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