Air conditioning of the area around a driver assistance camera via an air duct in the headliner

Abstract

System (100, 300) for climate control of the environment of a driver assistance camera (340) of a vehicle which has the following features: a camera (340) mounted in a housing (112), the housing (112) being designed to be attached to a window (114) and to a roof liner (106) of the vehicle; and a connecting port (124) of the housing (112) which can be connected to an air duct (104) of the headliner (106) to allow a forced airflow (116) through the housing (112) from the connecting port (124) to an outlet port (122) of the housing (112) to air-condition the environment, wherein the camera (340) is arranged in the housing (112) and in a path of the forced airflow (116) between the connecting port (124) and the outlet port (122), so that the forced airflow (116) flows around and past the camera (340).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for air conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera or DAS camera (“DAS” = driver assist) which is mounted in a housing, by using a forced ventilation headliner duct. background

[0002] Advanced driver assistance (DAS) cameras are incorporated into a vehicle platform to provide additional information for intelligent vehicle safety systems to assist the driver. The camera may be mounted near or on the vehicle's windshield to ensure a maximum field of view. As a result, the camera may be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, resulting in a significant buildup of heat. The camera is also subject to extreme cold and variable levels of humidity during the winter.

[0003] US 5,096,287 A discloses a video camera for an automobile mounted on the arm supporting a rearview mirror. The camera is forward-facing to capture images through the front windshield of an automobile, and a boot is connected between the camera and the windshield to protect the camera lens from moisture and dust. An air duct may be provided between the boot and the air conditioning system to provide airflow through the boot.

[0004] DE 10 2009 031 379 A1 discloses a temperature control unit. An operating device for a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system of a vehicle has at least one actuator. The operating device has a switch unit and outputs control signals via the switch unit and, in particular, via a signal processing unit. The control signals are provided for controlling the actuator and are output depending on the switch position of the switch unit.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for air conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera of a vehicle. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for air conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera of a vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] This problem is solved according to the present invention by a system having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 4. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0007] A duct in the headliner from an air conditioning or HVAC system (“HVAC” = Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) delivers a cooling or warming airflow directly to the area surrounding a driver assistance camera.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system for conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera of a vehicle is provided, wherein a camera is mounted in a housing configured to be attached to a window and a headliner of the vehicle. A duct connection part is connectable to an air duct of the headliner to allow a driven air flow through the housing to condition the environment therein. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for conditioning the temperature of a driver assistance camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an illustration of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 3 is an illustration showing a system for climate control of the temperature of a driver assistance camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0009] The present invention provides a system for conditioning the environment surrounding a driver assistance camera mounted in a housing. An HVAC duct in close proximity to the camera forces stagnant air to flow out of a camera setup cavity and quickly replaces it with fresh, conditioned air upon vehicle start-up. The temperatures of conditioned air are more favorable for camera operation than extremely hot or cold stagnant air. The forced, or pressurized, air from the HVAC system can cool a windshield-mounted camera more quickly than other cooling systems. For example, other cooling systems rely on convection heat transfer from the camera housing without the use of forced air.Such a system would result in delayed cooling, which would prevent proper operation of the camera system or cause damage to the camera. For cameras mounted near the top of the vehicle's interior, a forced airflow can be directed further past the optical path of the camera lenses. This air can be used to demist or frost the windshield glass, to demist or frost the lenses, or to remove dust from the optical path.

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 for conditioning the environment around a driver assistance camera disposed in a fairing housing 112, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Fig. 1, the trim housing 112 is attached to the vehicle's headliner 106 using a trim-to-headliner connector 124. The trim housing 112 encloses a camera housing 102 containing the driver assistance camera and is configured to be mounted to the vehicle via a mounting bracket 110. The camera housing 102 may be configured to further assist in regulating or reducing the temperature of the camera by being constructed from a material suitable for heat transfer. For example, the camera housing 102 may be made from a highly thermally conductive material and could include heat sink fins extending into the path of the airflow 116, resulting in a heat transfer device.

[0011] One or more control wires 108 are connected to the camera housing 102 and are secured by one or more wire retainers 126. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control wires 108 may communicate with an electronic control unit (“ECU”) of the vehicle, which is programmed to execute a control method comprising one or more instructions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the control functions of the ECU could be implemented using discrete circuits, a combination of different types of circuits, or an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), and could be embodied in either analog or digital form.

[0012] The mounting bracket 110 may be attached to the vehicle, for example, the windshield 114, using any suitable method and / or component. For example, an adhesive, a click-fit connection, etc., may be used to secure the mounting bracket 110 to the vehicle. Furthermore, the mounting bracket 110 may be attached to the trim housing 112 or may be independently attached to the vehicle.

[0013] An air conditioning environmental control conduit 104 may provide a forced airflow 116 into the interior of the trim housing 112. The conduit 104 may pass through the vehicle's headliner 106 or through any other suitable conduit from the vehicle's air conditioning system. As such, the conduit 104 forcibly directs conditioned air 116 around and past the camera, corresponding to the desired cabin air temperature. For example, in response to a low ambient air temperature, heated air may be forced over the camera to defog or defrost the camera lenses or the interior surface of the windshield 114. In an environment with elevated ambient temperatures, cooled air may be provided to reduce the temperature of the driver assistance camera and associated components to ensure proper operating conditions.The airflow 116 can also be directed to clear components in the optical path of the field of view 118, such as dust and other dirt that may accumulate between the camera lens and the windshield. When conditioned air 116 is forced into the fairing housing 112, expelled air 116' is forced out of the fairing housing 112 through an outlet opening 122.

[0014] Airflow through air duct 104, and consequently airflow around the camera, can be controlled by the driver assistance camera system, for example, when the temperature and / or humidity camera sensor reaches a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the airflow through air duct 104 can be controlled in accordance with the vehicle's climate control system. Another option is to control a duct connection opening in the headliner air duct based on the temperature and humidity readings around the camera, for example, by opening and closing it.

[0015] Fig. 2 provides a method for conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera of a vehicle using the systems described herein. In a step 200, a temperature is sensed at a temperature sensor located in a housing attached to a window of the vehicle housing the driver assistance camera. In step 210, a signal corresponding to the sensed temperature is provided to an electronic control unit. In step 220, the signal is compared to a threshold associated with the temperature sensor. For example, one threshold may be set at the upper end of an acceptable operating temperature range for the driver assistance camera. Further, a second threshold may be set at a lower end of the acceptable operating range.In step 230, a conduit connection opening connected to the housing can be activated to allow a driven airflow through the housing to climate control the environment responsive to the comparison of the sensed value and the threshold values.

[0016] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a system 300 for climate-controlling the environment around a driver assistance camera 340, which is arranged according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the example of the Fig. In section 3, the system 300 includes a sensor 330 in conjunction with an electronic control unit 320, as described herein. The electronic control unit 320 processes signals from the sensor to control an air conditioning unit 310 in order to force an airflow into the environment around the camera 340.

[0017] Improvements, changes, and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the above description of the invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications, within the scope of common knowledge, are intended to be covered by the present invention.

Claims

[1] System (100, 300) for air conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera (340) of a vehicle, comprising: a camera (340) mounted in a housing (112), the housing (112) being adapted to be attached to a window (114) and a headliner (106) of the vehicle; and a connection port (124) of the housing (112) which can be connected to an air duct (104) of the headliner (106) to allow a forced air flow (116) through the housing (112) from the connection port (124) to an outlet port (122) of the housing (112) to condition the environment, wherein the camera (340) is arranged in the housing (112) and in a path of the forced air flow (116) between the connection port (124) and the outlet port (122) such that the forced air flow (116) flows around and past the camera (340). [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the air duct (104) of the headliner (106) is connected to an air conditioning system (310) of the vehicle. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet port (122) directs air flowing through the housing (112) onto a windshield (114) of the vehicle to assist in clearing the windshield (114). [4] A method for air conditioning the environment of a driver assistance camera (340) of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: Sensing (200) a temperature within a housing (112) mounted on a window (114) of the vehicle; Providing (210) a signal corresponding to the sensed temperature to an electronic control unit (320); Comparing (220) the sensed temperature with a threshold; and Controlling (230) an air flow (116) through the housing (112) to condition the environment in response to the comparison by forcing an air flow (116) through the housing (112) from a connection port (124) to an outlet port (122) of the housing (112) such that the forced air flow (116) flows around and past the camera (340). [5] The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: Sensing a humidity at a humidity sensor (330) disposed in the housing (112); Comparing the sensed humidity with a threshold value; and Controlling the air flow (116) through the housing (112) in response to the comparison.

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