Exterior mirror arrangement for a vehicle and vehicle with such an exterior mirror arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to an exterior mirror arrangement (1) for a vehicle, comprising a minimal mirror (2) which includes a mirror head (3) with a mirror glass (5) fixedly mounted in the mirror head (3) and a mirror base (7) which is connected to the mirror head (3) via an adjustable adjustment mechanism (9), wherein the adjustment mechanism (9) of the minimal mirror (2) is designed to adjust the position of the mirror head (3) with the mirror glass (5) relative to the mirror base (7) as required, wherein a camera arrangement (10) is arranged in the mirror head (3) behind the mirror glass (5) and comprises a camera (12) which at least partially extends through an opening (3) in the mirror head (3), and an adjustment device (14) which is designed to attach the camera (12) to the mirror head (3) and to adjust a position of the camera (12) relative to the mirror head (3), as well as a vehicle with at least one such exterior mirror arrangement (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an exterior mirror arrangement for a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such an exterior mirror arrangement.

[0002] Exterior mirror arrangements for vehicles are known in numerous variations. Two types of exterior mirrors are known from the prior art. A conventional exterior mirror comprises a mirror base, a mirror head which is foldable and can be held in a fixed position on the mirror base in both extended and retracted positions, and a mirror glass which is movably mounted in the mirror head and can be individually adjusted by the customer. A minimalist mirror comprises a mirror head with a mirror glass fixed in the mirror head and a mirror base which is connected to the mirror head via an adjustable mechanism. The customer individually adjusts the entire mirror head and mirror glass to their desired field of vision.

[0003] A surround-view camera system creates a top-down image of the vehicle, which is compiled from images from a front camera, a rear camera, and two side cameras. To obtain a precise image, the camera positions are calibrated very accurately. When implementing such a system in a vehicle, the side cameras are positioned within the mirror heads of conventional side mirrors. This allows the side cameras to be mounted as far outboard as possible, providing the best possible field of view, particularly for capturing the wheel contact patches.

[0004] Furthermore, there is a requirement that protruding objects, such as exterior mirrors, which extend more than 100 mm from the vehicle's outer skin, must be foldable in both directions in the direction of travel (pendulum test). With minimal mirrors, the camera cannot simply be placed in the mirror head due to the customer-adjustable mirror heads. Therefore, in known minimal mirrors, the side cameras are positioned in the mirror base. This can result in the mirror base protruding more than 100 mm from the vehicle's outer skin to position the side camera in this very outward position. Consequently, a folding joint is required. This means that with this configuration, a joint is needed for both the mirror head and the mirror base. This increases the complexity and cost of the minimal mirror. Moreover, a long mirror base is rather suboptimal from a design perspective.

[0005] From EP 3 235 685 A1, a surround-view system for a motor vehicle is known, comprising two cameras arranged in housings of exterior mirrors, which, in conjunction with a camera arranged at the front of the vehicle and a camera arranged at the rear of the vehicle, generate a 360° image of the vehicle. The detection angle of the two cameras arranged in the exterior mirrors is adjusted by a sensor unit depending on a driving mode or vehicle speed. For this adjustment, the sensor unit uses data from a tilt sensor, a gyroscope, and / or a yaw rate sensor.

[0006] US patent 2022 / 0203894 A1 discloses a surround-view display system for a motor vehicle with a tiltable camera. The system comprises two cameras mounted on the vehicle's exterior mirrors, equipped with actuators to adjust the viewing angle depending on the current driving situation.

[0007] US Patent 2024 / 0336200 A1 discloses a vehicle vision system with a camera mounted on the tailgate of a vehicle. The system processes image data captured by the camera and generates video data in an electronic control unit, which is then displayed on a screen inside the vehicle. The tailgate can pivot between closed and open positions. When the tailgate is closed, the camera faces the rear of the vehicle. When the tailgate is open, the camera rotates relative to the tailgate to view the rear of the vehicle. The system controls an actuator that rotates the camera relative to the tailgate, thus adjusting the rear view based on the image data processed in the control unit.

[0008] US Patent 6,954,152 B1 discloses an exterior mirror arrangement comprising a mirror and a camera unit that is aligned with the mirror's blind spot, enabling the driver to see objects near the vehicle that are not visible using the mirror alone. The camera unit has an adjustable camera coupled to the exterior mirror housing to display the mirror's blind spot on a screen visible to the driver. The camera is located within the exterior mirror housing behind a one-sided viewing area of ​​the mirror.

[0009] US Patent 5,523,811 A discloses a camera for use in a vehicle's rearview mirror. The rearview mirror consists of a half-mirror whose light is reflected and visible to the vehicle occupant. A lens is located next to the half-mirror and receives light passing through it. An image capture device is optically coupled to the lens and receives light passing through the lens to form an image signal corresponding to the received light.

[0010] US Patent 2024 / 0017670 A1 discloses an exterior rearview mirror system for vehicles, comprising an exterior mirror assembly with a mirror head that is pivotable relative to a mounting base. An actuator is used to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting base between a folded and an extended position. The system includes a position sensor, a magnetic element, and an electronic control unit. The position sensor collects sensor data representing a magnetic field of the magnetic element on the positioning sensor. The position sensor or the magnetic element is fixed relative to the mounting base, while the mirror head is pivotable relative to the mounting base. Based on the processing of the acquired sensor data at the control unit and a specific magnetic field at the positioning sensor, the system determines the rotational position of the mirror head relative to the mounting base.

[0011] US Patent 2016 / 0140403 A1 discloses a driver assistance system that supports the driver in maneuvering a vehicle. This system incorporates a side camera on both the left and right sides of the vehicle, which can be moved between a variety of viewing positions. The system can determine whether the current viewing direction of the corresponding side camera matches the current direction of vehicle movement. If it is determined that the current viewing direction of the side camera does not match the current direction of vehicle movement, the side camera's viewing direction can be automatically adjusted to match the current direction of vehicle movement.

[0012] From DE 199 03 595 A1, a rearview mirror, particularly for motor vehicles, with a mirror lens is known. At least one image capture device is arranged behind the mirror lens. The image capture device looks, for example, through the mirror lens and is a camera, in particular a CCD camera, which is connected to an image evaluation and display device. This enables the driver to monitor the area of ​​the incident beside, in front of, or behind the vehicle via the camera.

[0013] US patent 2003 / 0103142 A1 discloses an exterior mirror with an integrated camera module. The exterior mirror has a mirror housing that is mounted to the vehicle via a mirror base to allow free rotation from a neutral position to a rear storage position and to a forward position. The mirror housing contains a camera module and an angle adjustment mechanism for setting the camera angle. The camera's angle adjustment mechanism is controlled such that the movement of the image capture area is limited to a roughly fixed area while the mirror housing rotates.

[0014] From US patent 2016 / 0243988 A1, an exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle is known. The exterior mirror assembly comprises a mirror head, which is pivotably mounted on a mounting base configured for attachment to one side of the vehicle. The mirror head consists of a mirror housing and a reflective element attached to this housing. A camera module is mounted on the mirror head and serves for image capture. The camera module is adjustable on the mirror head and can be adjusted to adapt the outer field of view of the camera module. The camera module is designed to be extendable and retractable relative to the mirror housing.

[0015] The invention is based on the objective of providing an external mirror arrangement for a vehicle with a minimal mirror and a camera arrangement, as well as a vehicle with such an external mirror arrangement, which enables individual adjustment of the minimal mirror and a good field of view for the camera arrangement.

[0016] This problem is solved by an external mirror arrangement for a vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle with the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0017] In order to provide an exterior mirror arrangement for a vehicle with a minimal mirror and a camera arrangement which allows individual adjustment of the minimal mirror and a good field of view for the camera arrangement, the camera arrangement is arranged in a mirror head behind a mirror glass of the minimal mirror and comprises a camera which at least partially passes through an opening in the mirror head, and an adjustment device which is designed to attach the camera to the mirror head and to adjust a position of the camera relative to the mirror head.

[0018] In a preset initial position, the camera has a field of view that captures the front and rear wheel contact points of the vehicle. This allows the camera assembly to be easily integrated into the vehicle's surround-view system. This initial or preferred position of the camera can preferably be set during the vehicle's manufacturing process at the factory. The adjustment mechanism of the camera assembly is further designed to compensate for any movement of the camera caused by an adjustment of the mirror head, ensuring that the camera's field of view in the compensated position captures both the front and rear wheel contact points of the vehicle. This allows the camera to automatically adjust to any movement of the mirror head and maintain the preset field of view.

[0019] A minimal mirror, as defined below, is an external mirror comprising a mirror head, a mirror glass fixed within the mirror head, and a mirror base. The mirror base is connected to the mirror head via an adjustable mechanism. This mechanism allows the mirror head and glass to be repositioned relative to the mirror base as needed. The user can adjust the mirror head and glass manually or via electromechanical drives or actuators.

[0020] Furthermore, a vehicle with at least one such exterior mirror arrangement is proposed.

[0021] Preferably, two such exterior mirror arrangements can be used in a surround-view system of the vehicle. In addition to the two exterior mirror arrangements, the surround-view system can include a rear camera and a front camera and be configured to generate and display a top-down view of the vehicle.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the exterior mirror arrangement, at least one optical unit of the camera can extend through the opening in the mirror head. Preferably, the opening can be formed in the base of the mirror.

[0023] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the exterior mirror arrangement, the adjustment device of the camera arrangement can comprise a gimbal suspension with two intersecting adjustment axes.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the exterior mirror arrangement, the adjustment device of the camera assembly can include a gravity-based adjustment mechanism. With this embodiment, the camera can be optimally positioned at its center of gravity at the factory in its initial or preferred position. If the customer then adjusts the mirror head of the minimum mirror while driving, the camera can automatically readjust itself due to gravity. This allows the camera to be adjusted cost-effectively and with minimal installation space, purely mechanically using gravity.

[0025] In an alternative advantageous embodiment of the exterior mirror arrangement, the adjustment device can comprise at least one controllable drive. Preferably, a first controllable drive can be coupled to a first adjustment axis of the gimbal mount, and a second controllable drive can be coupled to a second adjustment axis of the gimbal mount. Preferably, an evaluation and control unit can control the at least one drive and adjust the camera's position when the mirror head is moved. The camera can be fixed in its position by the at least one drive after adjustment, thus ensuring a stable position of the camera that is unaffected by vibrations.

[0026] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the external mirror arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle also apply to the vehicle according to the invention.

[0027] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0028] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Here, the following is shown: Fig. 1 A schematic representation of an embodiment of an external mirror arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle.

[0029] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the illustrated embodiment of an exterior mirror arrangement 1 according to the invention for a vehicle comprises a minimal mirror 2, which includes a mirror head 3 with a mirror glass 5 fixedly mounted in the mirror head 3 and a mirror base 7, which is connected to the mirror head 3 via an adjustable adjustment mechanism 9. The adjustment mechanism 9 of the minimal mirror 2 is designed to adjust the position of the mirror head 3 with the mirror glass 5 relative to the mirror base 7 as needed. A camera arrangement 10 is arranged in the mirror head 3 behind the mirror glass 5 and comprises a camera 12, which at least partially extends through an opening 3 in the mirror head 3, and an adjustment device 14, which is designed to attach the camera 12 to the mirror head 3 and to adjust the position of the camera 12 relative to the mirror head 3.

[0030] To illustrate the components of the camera arrangement 10, a section of the mirror glass 5 is shown. Fig. 1 shown transparently.

[0031] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, in the illustrated embodiment of the exterior mirror arrangement at least one optical unit 12.1 of the camera 12 extends through the opening 3.1 in the mirror head 3.

[0032] In the illustrated exterior mirror arrangement 1, the camera 12, in a preset initial position, has a field of view that captures a front wheel contact point and a rear wheel contact point of the vehicle. The adjustment device 14 of the camera arrangement 10 is further designed to compensate for any adjustment of the camera 12 caused by an adjustment of the mirror head 3, such that the camera 12's field of view, in the compensation position, captures both the front wheel contact point and the rear wheel contact point of the vehicle.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment of the exterior mirror assembly 1, the adjustment device 14 of the camera assembly 10 comprises a gimbal suspension 14A with two intersecting adjustment axes (not shown in detail). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment device 14 has two drives 16 that can be controlled by an evaluation and control unit 18. A first controllable drive 16A is coupled to a first adjustment axis of the gimbal suspension 14A, and a second controllable drive 16B is coupled to a second adjustment axis of the gimbal suspension 14A.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the adjustment device 14 of the camera arrangement 10 comprises a gravity-driven adjustment mechanism.

[0035] Such an exterior mirror arrangement 1 is preferably used in a vehicle with a surround-view system. The surround-view system comprises two such exterior mirror arrangements 1, a rear camera, and a front camera and is designed to generate and display a top view of the vehicle. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Exterior mirror arrangement 2 Minimal mirrors 3 Mirror head 3.1 Opening 5 mirror glass 7 Mirror base 9 Adjustment mechanism 10 Camera Arrangement 12 Camera 12.1 Optical unit 14 Adjustment device 14A gimbal suspension 16, 16A, 16B drive 18 Evaluation and control unit

Claims

Exterior mirror arrangement (1) for a vehicle, comprising a minimal mirror (2) which includes a mirror head (3) with a mirror glass (5) fixedly mounted in the mirror head (3) and a mirror base (7) which is connected to the mirror head (3) via an adjustable adjustment mechanism (9), wherein the adjustment mechanism (9) of the minimal mirror (2) is designed to adjust the position of the mirror head (3) with the mirror glass (5) relative to the mirror base (7) as required, wherein a camera arrangement (10) is arranged in the mirror head (3) behind the mirror glass (5) and a camera (12) which has an opening (3.1) extends at least partially through the mirror head (3), and comprises an adjustment device (14) which is configured to attach the camera (12) to the mirror head (3) and to adjust a position of the camera (12) relative to the mirror head (3), wherein the camera (12) in a preset initial position has a field of view which captures a front wheel mounting point and a rear wheel mounting point of the vehicle, and wherein the adjustment device (14) of the camera arrangement (10) is further configured to compensate for an adjustment of the camera (12) caused by an adjustment of the mirror head (3) in such a way that the field of view of the camera (12) in the compensation position captures the front wheel mounting point and the rear wheel mounting point of the vehicle. Exterior mirror arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one optical unit (12.1) of the camera (12) extends through the opening (3.1) in the mirror head (3). Exterior mirror arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment device (14) of the camera arrangement (10) comprises a gimbal suspension (14A) with two intersecting adjustment axes. Exterior mirror arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjustment device (14) of the camera arrangement (10) comprises a gravity-induced adjustment mechanism. Exterior mirror arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustment device (14) comprises at least one controllable drive (16). Exterior mirror arrangement (1) according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that a first controllable drive (16A) is coupled to a first adjustment axis of the cardan suspension (14A), and a second controllable drive (16B) is coupled to a second adjustment axis of the cardan suspension (14A). Vehicle with at least one exterior mirror arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 . Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle has a surround view system comprising two exterior mirror arrangements (1), a rear camera and a front camera, and is designed to generate and display a top view of the vehicle.

Images