Three-axis mirror position detection

Abstract

Retrospective arrangement, comprehensive: a bracket with a first end and a second end, the second end having a first joint section; a main unit having a planar end face attached to a housing, the housing having a second joint section arranged opposite the planar front face, the socket rotatably receiving the ball joint section so that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the mount; an asymmetric magnetic unit attached to the first joint section; a sensor that is mounted in the housing of the main unit and located near the asymmetric magnetic unit; and a processor that communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to a vehicle rearview camera arrangement and in particular to an arrangement with a sensor configured to determine the axis alignment information of a main unit of the arrangement with respect to a support. BACKGROUND

[0002] Various features have been introduced for different types of vehicle rearview mirror arrangements, which can be complemented by the ability to determine the position and orientation or orientation of a rearview mirror relative to a base and / or the vehicle interior. Permanent magnets and magnetic sensors have been introduced as solutions in the past. However, such solutions are limited to magnets or sensors within a single ball joint and magnets or triaxial magnetometers mounted on the electronic circuit board of a mirror, which operate with multi-jointed mounts, may have limitations regarding accuracy, and have the disadvantage of not being able to switch off the magnetic field to measure and compensate for background magnetic interference. SUMMARY

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a retrospective arrangement comprises a support with a first end and a second end, the latter having a first joint section and a main unit having a planar end face, which is attached to a housing. The housing has a second joint section opposite the planar end face. The socket rotatably receives the ball-and-socket joint section such that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the support.The arrangement further includes an asymmetric magnetic unit attached to the first joint section, a sensor located in the housing of the main unit and positioned near the asymmetric magnetic unit, and a processor that communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information.

[0004] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a retrospective arrangement comprises a support with a first end and a second end, the latter having a first hinged section and a main unit with a planar end face, which is attached to a housing. The housing has a second hinged section opposite the planar end face. The second hinged section rotatably receives the first hinged section such that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the support.The arrangement further comprises an asymmetric magnetic unit mounted in one of the bracket or the main unit, a sensor mounted in the other of the main unit or the bracket and located near the asymmetric magnetic unit, and a processor that communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the bracket based on the magnetic field information.

[0005] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a retrospective arrangement comprises a mount with a first end and a second end, each with a ball-and-socket section, and a main unit having a planar end face, which is attached to a housing. The housing has a socket located on an interior of the main unit housing, adjacent to an opening through the housing opposite the planar end face. The socket rotatably receives the ball-and-socket section such that the main unit is movable on the mount along three perpendicular axes.The arrangement further comprises an asymmetric magnetic unit, which includes a magnet that is received in the cavity of the ball joint section and a pole piece that is coupled to the magnet and is located outside the cavity, a sensor that is mounted in the housing of the main unit and is located near the asymmetric magnetic unit, and a processor that is communicative with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information.

[0006] These and other features, advantages and functions of the present device will be more fully understood and comprehensible to experts after studying the following description, the claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is better understood with reference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a retrospective arrangement according to an aspect of the revelation with a principal unit thereof in a first position with respect to a support; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the rear view arrangement with the main unit in a second position with respect to the mount; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the rear view arrangement with the main unit in a third position with respect to the mount; Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the rearview arrangement from the front; Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the rearview arrangement from behind; Fig. 6 is a top view of the front of internal components of the rear view arrangement, wherein its main unit is in the first position with respect to the support; Fig. 7 is a top view of the front of the internal components of the rear view arrangement, wherein its main unit is in the second position with respect to the support; and Fig. 8 is a top view of the front of the internal components of the rear view arrangement, wherein its main unit is in the second position with respect to the support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0008] The embodiments illustrated here primarily relate to combinations of process steps and device components associated with a housing section of an electronic device. Accordingly, the device components and process steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, which show only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art who benefits from this description. Furthermore, identical reference numerals in the description and in the drawings represent identical elements.

[0009] For descriptive purposes, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "back", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and derivatives thereof shall here refer to the revelation as it appears in Fig. 1 is oriented. Unless otherwise specified, the term “front” refers to the surface of the element that is closer to an intended observer, and the term “back” refers to the surface of the element that is farther away from the intended observer. However, it is understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also understood that the specific devices and methods illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the accompanying claims.Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical properties in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0010] The terms “include”, “include”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof cover non-exclusive inclusion insofar as a process, procedure, article, or device comprising a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, procedure, article, or device. An element preceded by “comprising a…” does not, without further limitations, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article, or device comprising the element.

[0011] Ordinal modifiers (i.e., "first," "second," etc.) can be used to distinguish between different structures of a revealed object in different contexts. However, such ordinals are not necessarily intended for elements outside the specific context in which they are used, and thus different elements from the same category may be identified with the same context-specific ordinal in different aspects. In such cases, other specific designations of the elements are used to clarify the overall relationship between these elements. Ordinals are neither used to denote a position of the elements, nor do they exclude additional or intermediate, unordered elements, nor do they indicate any importance or ranking of the elements within a particular category.

[0012] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, coupling, coupling, etc.) generally means the direct or indirect (electrical or mechanical) connection of two components to one another. Such a connection may be stationary or movable. Such a connection may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate elements formed integrally as a single, unified body with each other or with the two components. Such a connection may be permanent, removable, or detachable, unless otherwise specified.

[0013] For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms "approximately", "about", or "essentially" mean that a parameter value is close to a specified value or position. However, minor deviations may prevent the values ​​or positions from being exactly as specified. Thus, unless otherwise specified, differences of up to ten percent (10%) for a given value are acceptable deviations from the exact ideal case of values ​​as specified. In many cases, a significant deviation may exist if the deviation is more than ten percent (10%), except in cases where the term would be understood differently by a person skilled in the art based on the context in which it is used.

[0014] Referring to Fig. Reference numeral 10 generally denotes a back-view arrangement. The back-view arrangement 10 comprises a support 12 with a first end 14 and a second end 16 with a ball-joint section 18 defined thereon, and a main unit 20 having a planar end face 22 attached to a housing 24. The housing 24 has a socket 26 on its interior 28, which is arranged adjacent to an opening 30 opposite the planar end face 22. The socket 26 rotatably receives the ball-joint section 18 such that the main unit 20 is movable on the support 12 along three perpendicular axes (X, Y, and Z). An asymmetric magnetic unit 32 is attached to the ball-joint section 18 ( Fig. 4) attached, and inside 28 of the main unit 20 a sensor 34 is arranged, which is located near the asymmetric magnetic unit 32. A processor 35 communicates with the sensor 34 to receive magnetic field information from the sensor 34 and determines a position of the main unit 20 relative to the mount 12 based on the magnetic field information.

[0015] As can be seen, the rearview arrangement 10 described here can be used in conjunction with a vehicle, particularly inside it. Specifically, the rearview arrangement 10 can be attached adjacent to the vehicle's windshield, either by attaching the bracket 12 to the windshield itself or to an additional component adjacent to or mounted on the headliner in an area above an upper edge of the windshield (this attachment can be made to a section of the vehicle frame, vehicle bodywork, or other supporting structure, for example, through one or more openings in the headliner). The aforementioned connection of the main unit 20 to the bracket 12 via the receptacle of the ball joint section 18 in the socket 26 associated with the main unit 20 facilitates the positioning of the planar surface 22 of the main unit 20 in a desired position within the vehicle interior.In particular, this positioning is made adjustable by the ball joint 36, which is defined by the attachment of the ball joint section 18 to the socket 26. This adjustable positioning is achieved by pivoting the socket 26 around the ball joint section 18 and is limited in a range of movement around the Z-axis and a similar range of movement around the X-axis by the size of the opening 30 with respect to a shaft 38 that connects the ball joint section 18 to a base 40 of the bracket 12. In various implementations, the respective ranges of rotational movement around both the Z-axis and the X-axis can be at least approximately 30° from the point where the ball joint section 18 is inserted into the socket. Fig. 1 and Fig. The positions shown in the 6 images are centered, although other variations are possible. Fig. 2 is the main unit 20, rotated 15° along both the Z-axis and the X-axis from the centered position of the Fig. 1 shown rotated.

[0016] The structure of the joint 36 shown here can be such that the main unit 20 rotates freely on the ball joint 18 with respect to the Y-axis, although in some aspects an engagement with the base 40 and / or adjacent parts of the vehicle (including, for example, the headliner) may restrict this rotation. In other aspects, additional structures in or in association with the joint 36 may restrict the Y-axis rotation of the main unit 20 to less than 360° around the ball joint section 18 (for example, to within approximately 45° in each direction from the centered position of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 6) restrict in order to prevent strain or crushing of electrical connections between features in the interior 28 of the vehicle that pass through the joint 36 and the mounting base 40. In Fig. 3 is the main unit 20, moved approximately 10° on the Y-axis from the position explained above. Fig. 2 shown rotated.

[0017] In an example of the retrospective arrangement 10 described here, the planar surface 22 of the main unit 20 can be on a mirrored element 42 ( Fig. 4) be arranged, generally configured to present a driver with a reflected image of the view to the rear of the vehicle and accordingly adjustable by moving the main unit 20 relative to the mount 12. In one embodiment, the mirrored element 42 can be configured as an electro-optical element, such that a transparent element is associated with the planar surface 22, enclosing an electro-optical medium, the transmission of which can be improved or impaired by applying an electric current to it. In such an example, an inner surface of the mirrored element 42 defines the reflective surface. In such an example, the main unit 20 can have an internal image sensor 44, which can be arranged and configured in the housing 24 to capture an image through a properly configured section of the mirrored element 42.Alternatively, the image sensor 44 can be arranged on the housing 24 adjacent to the mirror element 42, and such an image sensor can be used in conjunction with a driver monitoring system in one example. Although both designs are described in the... Fig. Since 1 to 4 are shown together, it is understood that only one such image transmitter 44 can be required.

[0018] In another example, the planar surface 22 of the main unit can be defined on a display unit (which is schematically similar to the mirrored element 42 shown in the drawings for the purposes of this discussion). In this respect, the rearview arrangement 10 can be a so-called full-view display mirror. As can be seen, the display unit can be capable of showing a simulated mirror image of the view to the rear of the associated vehicle (which may be captured by a suitably positioned video camera or the like) when the display device is in an active state. Such an image can generally replicate that which would be available from a typical reflective mirror and can be supplemented with other information displayed on the display unit.In one aspect, such an image can respond to the position of the main unit 20 about the mount 12, such that the movement of the main unit 20 is associated with the swiveling or rotating of the image displayed on the display device in the same way that the movement of a mirrored surface changes the viewpoint of the reflected image. An example of such a system is further discussed in jointly transferred U.S. Patent No. 10,525,890 (“the ‘890 patent’”), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0019] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the pan 26 can be assembled or molded as part of the housing 24. In the illustrated example, the housing 24 has a front housing section 48 (i.e., with respect to the orientation of the rear-view arrangement 10 in a vehicle), which is shown as a single-piece unit and can be manufactured from a single piece of injection-molded plastic or the like, although other materials are possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the pan 26 is installed in the structure of the rear housing 48 at an interior 28 thereof such that the pan 26 is aligned with the opening 30, which is also formed in the rear housing 48.The mirrored element 42 (or alternatively the display unit) shown can in turn be coupled to the rear housing 48 via an aperture 50 or another secondary housing element attached to the rear housing 48 to complete and enclose the housing 24, thereby defining the interior 28 together with the mirrored element 42. In these and other examples, the housing 24 is structured such that the interior 28 has sufficient depth to accommodate internal structures of the rearview arrangement 10, including the connection 36 and other related structures, such as those relating to the electro-optical element or display substrate described above, the internal imager 44, and other elements described in the prior art or herein.

[0020] As can be seen, the variations of the rearview arrangement 10 described above, in which the rearview arrangement 10 comprises at least one position-responsive display device connected to the flat surface 22 and / or an internal imager 44 for driver monitoring, can advantageously use the connected systems' position information from the main unit 20 with respect to the mount 12. As described in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As further shown in Figure 5, such information can be obtained using the aforementioned sensor 34. In particular, the sensor 34 can be configured as a magnetic field sensor capable of determining the position of the magnetic unit 32 described above relative to it. In this way, the sensor 34 can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 52 located inside the housing 28. The PCB 52 can be attached to spaced-apart ribs 54 formed with the front housing 48 by means of mechanical fasteners or the like. As further shown, the magnetic unit 32 has a fixed magnet 56 that is received in a projection formed in the ball joint section 18. The fixed magnet 56 remains stationary, while the sensor 34, together with the main unit 20, moves about the ball joint section 18 when the main unit is articulated.Accordingly, the rotation of the main unit 20 about the Z-axis and the X-axis by the processor 35 can be determined by correlating the position of the sensor 34 with respect to the fixed magnet 56 in the XZ-plane, as shown in . Fig. Figure 6 shows that the orientation of sensor 34 with the magnet in the XZ plane indicates the centered position shown, and in Fig. 7, where the displaced position in the Z-direction and the X-direction is compared to the position in the Fig. 2 and Fig. The position shown in Figure 7 correlates with the main unit 20 being rotated on both the X-axis and the Z-axis as described above.

[0021] In particular, the additional rotation of the main unit 20 about the Y-axis does not change the relative position of the sensor 34 with respect to the fixed magnets 56 in the XZ-plane, so additional information is required for the processor 35 to determine the rotational position of the main unit 20 about the Y-axis. In this respect, magnetic field sensors, such as those that can be used for the sensor 34 described here, can measure magnetic field properties that can indicate a rotation and / or orientation of the sensor with respect to a magnetic field. Many fixed magnets, including the cylindrical fixed magnet 56 shown here, are associated with a symmetrical magnetic field (i.e.,(generally uniform effects in the X and Z directions), such that the rotational position of the sensor 34 relative to the fixed magnet 56 does not cause any change in the associated magnetic field, and thus a correspondingly designed sensor 34 does not output any magnetic field data that can be used by the processor 35 to determine the rotational position about the Y-axis. In this respect, the present rearview arrangement 10 has a magnetic unit 32 that exhibits an asymmetric magnetic field in the XZ plane. In the example shown here, the magnetic unit 32 has a pole piece 58 that is coupled to the fixed magnet 56 and is extended such that it extends outwards from it in the direction of the X-axis (a similar arrangement extending in the Z-axis or an offset axis can also achieve the same effect described here).In general, a pole piece is a structure made of a material with high magnetic permeability, designed to direct the magnetic field generated by a magnet by attaching and, in a sense, extending one pole of the magnet in the direction of the pole piece's extension. While the pole piece 58 shown here has the form of a rod with a generally square cross-section, other shapes and configurations are possible and can be generally understood in engineering.

[0022] As shown, the inclusion of the pole piece 58 causes the magnetic field M from the fixed magnet 56 to extend further outwards along the X-axis than along the Z-axis. In this way, the magnetic field information measured by the sensor 34 and output to the processor 35 can include an orientation of the asymmetric magnetic field M with respect to the sensor 34. Thus, the position of the main unit 20 with respect to the mount 12 includes a rotational position of the main unit 20 about each of the three perpendicular axes (X, Y, and Z) around which the main unit 20 is movable on the mount 12. Fig. 7 and Fig.Figure 8 shows the change in the orientation of the sensor 34 relative to the magnetic field M that the magnetic unit 32, including the pole piece 58 described above, possesses. In alternative arrangements, asymmetric magnets (e.g., horseshoe magnets) or multiple magnets separated by or embedded separately in a substantially non-magnetic material (such as various dielectrics or non-magnetic metals like aluminum or brass) can be used to achieve a similar effect. By adding the pole piece 58 to the fixed magnet 56 or by using an asymmetric magnet, it is possible to calculate the additional position rotation parameter about the Y-axis with an existing sensor 34. As an example, a joystick-style position sensor, available from Melexis in Belgium, EU, can be used for the sensor 34.With this arrangement, the position of the main unit 20 with respect to the bracket 12, as described here, can be determined even when the mirror is moved without power or when the vehicle is stationary.

[0023] Furthermore, it is noted that other arrangements are possible in which the sensor 34 is coupled to the holder 12 and the asymmetric magnetic unit 32 is coupled in the housing 24. In such an arrangement, the sensor 34 can be connected to the PCB 52 and the processor 35 by a wired connection to the PCB 52, which remains in the position shown, as attached to the housing 48. In alternative implementations, the PCB can be arranged in the base 40 of the holder 12.

[0024] The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following sections and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a retrospective arrangement comprises a mount with a first end and a second end with a ball-and-socket section defined thereon, and a main unit having a planar end face attached to a housing. The housing has a socket on its interior, arranged adjacent to an opening opposite the planar end face. The socket rotatably receives the ball-and-socket section such that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the mount. An asymmetric magnetic unit is attached to the ball-and-socket section, and a sensor is mounted in the housing of the main unit and is located near the asymmetric magnetic unit.A processor communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and determines a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information.

[0026] In the rearview arrangement of ¶

[0029] , the asymmetric magnetic unit can have a magnet and a pole piece coupled to the magnet.

[0027] In the backview arrangement of either ¶¶

[0029] or

[0030] , the magnetic field information can include a position of a magnetic field with respect to the sensor.

[0028] In the rearview arrangement of one of ¶¶

[0029] to

[0031] , the magnetic field information can include an orientation of an asymmetric magnetic field with respect to the sensor.

[0029] In the rearview arrangement of ¶¶

[0029] to

[0032] , the position of the main unit with respect to the support includes a rotational position of the main unit about each of the three vertical axes about which the main unit is movable on the support.

[0030] In the rearview arrangement of one of ¶¶

[0029] to

[0033] the planar end face is defined on a mirror that is coupled to the housing.

[0031] In the retrospective arrangement from ¶¶

[0029] to

[0033] , the planar end face is defined on a display device that is coupled to the housing.

[0032] A person skilled in the art understands that the construction of the described disclosure, as well as other components, is not limited to a particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure revealed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless otherwise specified herein.

[0033] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, serve only for illustration. Although only some embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, a person skilled in the art who studies this disclosure will readily understand that numerous modifications (e.g., of the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportions of the various elements, parameter values, assembly arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) are possible without significantly departing from the new teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed.For example, elements depicted as integrally formed may be constructed from multiple parts, or elements depicted as multiple parts may be integrally formed; the function of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied; the length or width of the structures and / or elements, or of the connector or other elements of the system, may be varied; the type or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and / or arrangements of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are to be included within the scope of the present inventions.Further additions, modifications, changes and omissions to the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments may be made without deviating from the meaning of the present inventions.

[0034] It is understood that all described processes or steps within the described processes can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of this disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein serve illustrative purposes and are not to be interpreted as limiting. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 10,525,890

[0018]

Claims

[1] Retrospective arrangement, comprehensive: a bracket with a first end and a second end, the second end having a first joint section; a main unit having a planar end face attached to a housing, the housing having a second joint section arranged opposite the planar front face, the socket rotatably receiving the ball joint section so that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the mount; an asymmetric magnetic unit attached to the first joint section; a sensor that is mounted in the housing of the main unit and located near the asymmetric magnetic unit; and a processor that communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information. [2] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the asymmetric magnetic unit comprises a magnet and a pole piece coupled to the magnet. [3] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the asymmetric magnetic unit has at least two magnets separated by a dielectric material. [4] A rearview arrangement according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the magnetic field information includes a position of a magnetic field with respect to the sensor. [5] A back-view arrangement according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the magnetic field information comprises an alignment of an asymmetric magnetic field with respect to the sensor. [6] Rear view arrangement according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the position of the main unit with respect to the support comprises a rotation position of the main unit about three vertical axes about which the main unit is movable on the support. [7] A rearview arrangement according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the planar end face is defined on a mirror coupled to the housing. [8] A rearview arrangement according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the planar end face is defined on a display device coupled to the housing. [9] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 1, wherein: the first joint section comprises a ball-and-socket joint section; and the second joint section comprises a socket which is located on an interior of the housing of the main unit adjacent to an opening through the housing. [10] Rear view arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the asymmetric magnetic unit is embedded in the ball joint section. [11] A rearview arrangement according to one of claims 1, 9 or 10, wherein the sensor is mounted on a printed circuit board which is fixed in the housing. [12] Retrospective arrangement, comprehensive: a bracket with a first end and a second end, the second end having a first joint section; a main unit having a planar end face attached to a housing, the housing having a second hinge section arranged opposite the planar front face, the second hinge section rotatably receiving the first hinge section so that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the support; an asymmetrical magnetic unit that is attached to the bracket or the main unit; a sensor that is mounted in the other from the main unit or the holder and is located near the asymmetric magnetic unit; and a processor that communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information. [13] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the asymmetric magnetic unit comprises a magnet and a pole piece coupled to the magnet. [14] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic field information includes a position of a magnetic field with respect to the sensor. [15] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic field information comprises an alignment of an asymmetric magnetic field with respect to the sensor. [16] Rearview arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the position of the main unit with respect to the holder comprises a rotational position of the main unit about three vertical axes about which the main unit is movable on the holder. [17] Retrospective arrangement according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein: the first joint compartment is a socket; and the second joint section is a ball joint section that extends from the housing and is received in the socket. [18] Retrospective arrangement, comprehensive: a bracket with a first end and a second end, the second end having a ball joint section; a main unit having a planar end face attached to a housing, the housing having a socket arranged on an interior of the housing of the main unit adjacent to an opening through the housing opposite the planar front face, the socket rotatably receiving the ball joint section so that the main unit is movable along three perpendicular axes on the support; an asymmetric magnetic unit comprising a magnet that is received in the cavity of the ball joint section and a pole piece that is coupled to the magnet and arranged outside the cavity; a sensor that is mounted in the housing of the main unit and located near the asymmetric magnetic unit; and a processor that communicates with the sensor to receive magnetic field information from the sensor and to determine a position of the main unit relative to the mount based on the magnetic field information. [19] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 18, wherein: the magnet extends along a polar axis; and The pole piece defines a second axis that runs perpendicular to the polar axis. [20] Retrospective arrangement according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the pole piece is made of a magnetically permeable material.

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