Lens shutter device for a camera mounted in a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shuttering device (10) for a camera lens mounted in a vehicle via remote control, comprising mounting means arranged on a support (11) for the shuttering device and configured to fix the device to a surface of the vehicle, a rotating arm (13) mounted on the support via a bearing (12) and pivoting relative to the support about an axis, control means (16) configured to control an angular position of the rotating arm relative to the support, and a bracket (14) comprising a first rod fitted into the rotating arm and a shutter mounted on the first rod, the shutter comprising a mask arranged at one end of the shutter, the mask being configured to shutter the camera lens in a shuttered position of an assembly comprising the bracket and the rotating arm. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for shuttering a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for shuttering a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle.

[0002] The present invention also relates to testing means for blocking a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle or masking a field of vision of such a camera. Technological background

[0003] Many modern vehicles are equipped with so-called AD AS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System). Such AD AS are passive and active safety systems designed to eliminate the element of human error in driving vehicles of all types. AD AS use advanced technologies to assist the driver while driving and thus improve their performance. AD AS use a combination of sensor technologies to perceive the environment around a vehicle, then provide information to the driver or act on certain vehicle systems.

[0004] There are several levels of ADAS, such as rearview cameras and blind spot sensors, lane departure warning systems, adaptive cruise control and automatic parking systems.

[0005] The AD AS embedded in a vehicle are supplied with data obtained from one or more embedded sensors such as, for example, cameras. These cameras make it possible in particular to detect and locate other road users, possible obstacles present around a vehicle and / or the road environment such as the limits of a traffic lane in order, for example: - to adapt the vehicle's lighting according to the presence of other users; and / or - to automatically regulate the vehicle's speed; and / or - to act on the braking system in the event of a risk of impact with an object; and / or - to guide the vehicle in its lane.

[0006] To validate the robustness or malfunction of certain AD AS, such as the lane keeping system (in English "Lane Keeping Assist", called LKA or "Lane Position Assist" called LPA), certain tests require the temporary blocking of an optical sensor or a camera on board the vehicle during phases of rolling of this vehicle. An operator then masks the sensor or blocks the lens of the camera manually, for example by holding up a pole equipped with a mask at one end, from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Such manipulation is not easy, especially when the sensor is located at the top and in the middle of the front windshield of the vehicle. Indeed, the operator, for example located in the passenger seat of the vehicle, then manipulates the pole by passing part of it through a side window of the vehicle and positions it so as to place the mask in front of the camera lens. Such an operation is delicate and even dangerous, especially when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. In addition, aerodynamic forces applied to this device disrupt this operation. Summary of the present invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to facilitate the temporary blocking of a camera lens by an operator located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to make robustness tests of systems embedded in a vehicle using data received from a camera more reliable, in particular by guaranteeing implementation of an operating mode for this type of test.

[0009] The present invention relates to a device for shuttering a lens of a camera on board a vehicle via a remote control, the shuttering device being characterized in that it comprises: - fixing means arranged on a support of the closure device according to a plane and configured to fix the device on a surface of the vehicle, - a rotary arm mounted on the support by means of a bearing, the rotary arm extending along a third longitudinal axis and being configured to pivot relative to the support around an axis normal to said plane, - control means configured to control an angular position of the rotary arm relative to the support around the first axis, and - a bracket comprising a first rod fitted into the rotating arm and a shutter mounted on the first rod, the shutter comprising a mask arranged at one end of the shutter, the mask being configured to close the lens of the camera in a closing position of an assembly comprising the bracket and the rotating arm.

[0010] Such a device thus allows an operator to remotely control the shutter of the camera lens reliably using the remote control.

[0011] According to a variant of the shutter device, the shutter comprises a second rod mounted on the first rod via a first interface, the second rod being positioned along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first axis and at a distance from the first axis, a height between a point of a shutter face of the mask and the plane being adjustable by translation of the second rod relative to the first rod along the second axis.

[0012] According to another variant, the closure device further comprises means for adjusting the distance by translation of the bracket relative to the rotary arm along the third axis.

[0013] According to another variant, the closure device further comprises means for stabilizing the rotary arm around the closure position.

[0014] According to an additional variant of the closure device, the control means are secured to the rotary arm via a second interface.

[0015] According to another variant, the closure device comprises at least one stop fixed to the support and configured to limit the angular position.

[0016] According to an additional variant of the sealing device, the mask is made of a flexible material belonging to a set of materials comprising: - a foam, - a sponge, - a felt-tip pen, - cellulose, and - cotton.

[0017] According to another variant of the closure device, the fixing means comprise magnets or suction cups.

[0018] According to yet another variant, the closure device comprises carrying handles fixed to the support.

[0019] According to another variant of the closure device, the bearing comprises at least one ball bearing.

[0020] Thus, thanks to all the functional and structural technical characteristics of the present invention, there is provided a device for shuttering a lens of a camera on board a vehicle which is easily controllable and suitable for installation in an environment where aerodynamic effects are significant. The lens of the camera is thus reliably shuttered upon simple command. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a shutter device of a lens of a camera on board a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] represents an exploded view of a part of the closure device of a lens of a vehicle-mounted camera as illustrated in [Fig.l]; and

[0024] [Fig.3] represents a sectional view of a part of the closure device of a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Description of the examples of embodiment

[0025] A device for closing a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle will now be described in the following with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows. This device for closing a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle is intended to be placed on the roof of a vehicle or on the windshield of a vehicle in order to close the lens of a camera placed at the top of the windshield of the vehicle. The invention is however not limited to this particular embodiment but extends to any device for closing a lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle, the latter being able to be placed on a grille or at the rear of the vehicle for example.

[0026] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0027] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the device for closing a lens of a camera on board a vehicle comprises several parts and / or sub-assemblies: - a support 11, - fixing means 112, - a rotating arm 13, - control means 16, and - a gallows 14 further comprising a mask 145.

[0028] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the closure device 10 comprises a support 11. This support 11 is here made using a rectangular metal or sheet metal plate 111. Such a plate 111 has, for example, a length of 40cm and a width of 15cm with a thickness of between 4 and 10mm. The invention is however not limited to a rectangular plate 111, the general shape of the plate 111 being able to be, for example, circular or the support 11 being able to be made using other components such as metal bars giving it a three-dimensional structure.

[0029] According to a particular embodiment, the support 11 comprises handling means, such as carrying handles 113 fixed to the upper face 1111 of the plate 111. Such handles thus allow an operator to easily carry the shutter device 10 to install it on the vehicle carrying the camera or to store it.

[0030] On the support 11 are arranged fixing means 112 positioned in the same plane P. According to the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the fixing means 112 are arranged at the four corners of the plate 111 of rectangular shape on the same flat surface of this plate 111 defining the plane P. The number of fixing means 112 of the present invention is not limited to four, their number is however greater than or equal to three so as to define a plane P passing through these fixing means 112. An alternative embodiment comprises for example a tripod-type support 11, each of the feet of this support 11 comprising a fixing means 112.

[0031] The fixing means 112 comprise, for example, magnets, then making it possible to fix the support 11 to a steel bodywork element, for example to the roof of the vehicle carrying the camera. A magnet is, for example, of the neodymium type, then making it possible to obtain a powerful fixing of the support 11 to the vehicle, furthermore capable of holding the shutter device 10 on the vehicle by resisting aerodynamic forces exerted by the air on the shutter device 10 when the vehicle is in motion and capable of holding the shutter device 10 on the vehicle when the latter vibrates or is subjected to jolts when the latter is moving on an uneven surface.

[0032] According to a particular embodiment, the magnets are coated with a layer protecting the bodywork of the vehicle and preventing the closing device from slipping, for example having a rubber coating.

[0033] According to another particular embodiment, the fixing means 112 comprise suction cups, then making it possible to fix the support 11 to an element of the bodywork made of steel, aluminum, plastic or glass, for example to the windshield of the vehicle. Such suction cups make it possible to fix the closure device 10 on the vehicle by pressing the support 11 once the closure device 10 is positioned, the air present in the suction cup then being expelled under the effect of the pressure exerted on the support 11. According to an alternative embodiment, the suction cups comprise a means of expelling the air such as a lever exerting pressure on a suction cup when it is actuated.

[0034] The fixing means 112 are arranged along the plane P. The surface of the vehicle on which the closure device 10 is fixed is however not necessarily flat, in fact if the surface is for example curved, the fixing of the closure device 10 remains possible, at least three fixing means 112 being able to be placed in contact with this surface. In order to improve the fixing of the closure device 10 to this non-planar surface, the fixing means 112 comprise for example compensating elements, making it possible to adjust the length of an element of a fixing means 112 in order to bring the magnet or the suction cup closer to or further away from the plane P and thus compensate for a gap between the vehicle surface and plane P.

[0035] The closure device also comprises a rotary arm 13 mounted on the support 11 by means of a bearing 12. The rotary arm 13 is in particular configured to pivot relative to the support 11 around an axis A1 normal to the plane P.

[0036] The particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 has a turret 114 of cylindrical shape centered on the axis A1, the turret 114 being integral with the plate 111 and arranged on the upper surface 1111 of the plate 111 opposite the lower surface defining the plane P. This turret makes it possible to position a bearing 12, the bearing 12 fitting the cylindrical outer surface 1141 of the turret 114. The turret 114 is cylindrical according to this example, but other shapes make it possible to obtain the functions of centering and holding the bearing 12, for example using ribs normal to the upper surface 1111 of the plate 111, starting from the axis A1 and each of the limits of which defines a linear contact with a cylindrical inner surface 121 of the bearing 12.

[0037] The bearing 12 comprises for example at least one ball bearing or one roller bearing, centered on the axis A1 once positioned on the support 11. According to another particular embodiment, the bearing 12 is a ring, for example made of Teflon or bronze.

[0038] An outer surface 122 of the bearing 12 is configured to receive the rotary arm 13, the rotary arm 13 comprising a ring 131 whose inner surface 1311 is cylindrical and comes into contact with the outer surface 122 of the bearing 12.

[0039] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the rotary arm 13 further extends along a third longitudinal axis A3 in the form of a tube 132. According to the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the first A1 and third A3 axes are concurrent and form an angle of 90°. The invention is however not limited to these geometric properties but extends to non-parallel first A1 and third A3 axes.

[0040] The tube 132 comprises, for example, a second interface 133 at its distal end of the ring 131, this second interface 133 making it possible to secure control means 16 to the rotary arm 13. The second interface 133 corresponds for example to two half-rings fixed to the tube 132 on either side of the tube 132. It is thus possible to secure control means on one of the half-rings of the second interface 133, the control means 16 comprising for example a carabiner 161 or a hook passed through a half-ring of the second interface 133, the carabiner or the hook being connected to a handle 163 via a cable 162 or a wire. Such control means 16 thus allow an operator placed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle to pull on the handle 163, thus exerting a traction force on the cable 162 in a longitudinal direction T1 of the cable 162, the cable 162 in turn exerting a traction force on the carabiner 161 which then pulls the second interface 133 of the rotary arm 13. The direction T1 not being parallel to the third axis A3 and not being concurrent with the first axis A1, a transverse force is then applied to the rotary arm 13 via the second interface 133, then generating a rotational movement of the rotary arm 13 around its axis of rotation, the first axis A1. Thus, the control means 16 are configured to control an angular position of the rotary arm 13 relative to the support 11, the rotary arm 13 performing a rotation around the first axis A1.

[0041] Other control means 16 are also conceivable, for example a cane or a pole connected to the second interface 133, the second interface 133 comprising for example a ball joint on which the cane or the pole is fixed.

[0042] In order to limit this rotational movement of the rotary arm A3 relative to the support 11, according to a particular embodiment, at least one stop 115 is arranged on the support 11, for example on the upper face 1111 of the plate 111. Figures 1 to 3 thus illustrate two stops 115 placed symmetrically around the turret 114 and configured to limit the angular movement of the rotary arm 13, the tube 132 of the rotary arm 13 coming to bear against these stops 115.

[0043] The presence of two stops is explained by the fact that the operator can be on the right side of the vehicle as well as on the left side of the vehicle, the right and left sides being defined relative to the movement of the vehicle when it moves forward. Thus, depending on the side of the vehicle where the operator is located, the carabiner 161 is fixed in one of the half-rings of the second interface 133 and the stop 115 located on this same side is useful for limiting the angular movement of the rotary arm 13 when a force is applied to the rotary arm 13 via the control means 16.

[0044] According to a particular embodiment, the shutter device 10 further comprises means 15 for stabilizing the rotary arm 13 around a shutter position. The shutter position is the position of the rotary arm 13 in which the shutter device blocks the lens of the camera on board the vehicle.

[0045] Such stabilizing means 15 comprise, for example, springs connecting a portion of the rotary arm 13 to the support 11, as illustrated in [Fig.l] the springs are for example secured to the second interface 133 and to a carrying handle 113. Each spring then exerts a tensile force between its ends in its longitudinal direction T2, T3. Thus, if in the closed position two identical springs are of the same length and arranged symmetrically on either side of the oscillating arm, then the transverse components of the forces exerted by each of the springs cancel each other out, generating no torque and therefore no movement of the rotary arm 13, the rotary arm 13 is then in an equilibrium position. Conversely, if the angular position of the rotary arm 13 varies, the transverse forces exerted by the springs are different and the resultant of the transverse forces opposes the rotation of the rotary arm 13, bringing it back to its equilibrium position. Thus the springs or stabilizing means 15 make it possible to bring the rotary arm 13 back to an equilibrium position corresponding to the closing position. The stabilizing means thus make it possible to counter the aerodynamic forces applied to the closing device 10 when the vehicle on which it is fixed is in motion.

[0046] The stabilization means may also be in the form of torsion springs positioned around the ring 131, compression springs for example placed between the tube 132 or the second interface 133 and the stops 115, or any other means known to those skilled in the art making it possible to return a rotating part to an equilibrium position.

[0047] The shutter device also comprises a bracket 14 further comprising a mask 145. This bracket 14 is mounted on the rotary arm 13 of the shutter device 10, via a first rod 141 fitted into the rotary arm 13, for example by inserting it into the tube 132. The tube 132 is for example hollow and its internal diameter is greater than or equal to the external diameter of the first rod 141. The bracket 14 also comprises a shutter 146 mounted on the first rod 141, the shutter comprising the mask 145 arranged at one end of the shutter 146, the mask 145 being configured to shutter the lens of the camera in the shutter position.

[0048] According to a particular embodiment, the mask 145 is made from a flexible material belonging to a set of materials comprising: - foam, - sponge, - felt, - cellulose, and - cotton.

[0049] This flexible material is for example fixed on a rigid substrate 144 such as a wooden or metal plate.

[0050] Such a material thus makes it possible to close the lens of the camera by placing one of the faces of the mask 145, called the closing face 1451, in front of this lens, thus covering all or part of the field of vision of the camera. If this lens is placed behind a glass surface such as a windshield, this material also makes it possible not to scratch the material such as glass or polycarbonate making up the glass surface. Thus, the closing device 10 does not damage the vehicle on which it is fixed.

[0051] The mask 145 is for example square or rectangular and has an approximate dimension of 10 cm on each side, making it possible to completely cover the field of vision of the camera even if it is not in direct contact with its objective.

[0052] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the shutter 146 of the shutter device 10 comprises a second rod 143 mounted on the first rod 141 via a first interface 142, the second rod 143 being positioned along a second longitudinal axis A2 parallel to the first axis A1 and at a distance D from the first axis A1. The first interface 142 is for example a nut or a threaded part secured to the first rod 141 and the second rod 143 is a threaded rod. The second rod 143 is then screwed into the first interface 142, then making it possible to adjust a height h between a point p of the shutter face 1451 of the mask 145 and the plane P by translation combined with a rotation of the second rod 143 relative to the first rod 141 along the second axis A2.

[0053] According to another exemplary embodiment, the second rod 143 is threaded while the first interface 142 is a non-threaded ring with an internal diameter greater than or equal to the external diameter of the second rod 143. The second rod 143 then slides freely in the ring, and is blocked in translation using two nuts arranged on either side of the first interface 142.

[0054] According to yet another example, the second rod 143 is not threaded and is cylindrical, it slides in a ring constituting the first interface 142 along the second axis A2 and is stopped in translation by a set screw or by a pin. In the case of a pin, it is necessary to have a hole passing through the second rod 143 and diametrically opposite holes in the ring constituting the first interface 142.

[0055] The second rod has for example a length of between 10 and 20 cm, for example 15 cm, thus making it possible to obtain a sufficient height adjustment range h to adapt the shutter device 10 to a large number of vehicles, each camera not being arranged in the same place on all the vehicles.

[0056] Similarly, it may be necessary to adjust the distance D defined as the distance between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2. Thus, the closure device 10 comprises, for example, means for adjusting the distance D by translation of the bracket 14 relative to the rotary arm 13 along the third axis A3. For example, the first rod 141 is a threaded rod, while the tube 132 is at least partially tapped. The adjustment of the distance D is thus obtained by screwing the first rod 141 into the tube 132.

[0057] According to another example, the first rod 141 has a section smaller than the dimension of the hollow of the tube 132. Thus the first rod slides in the hollow of the tube 132, the outer surface 1411 of the first rod 141 being in contact with the inner surface 1321 of the hollow of the tube 132. The translational stop is, as previously presented, carried out using a set screw or a pin. It should be noted that the first rod 141 and the tube 132 are not necessarily cylindrical but are by example of square or rectangular section in this example.

[0058] In order to guarantee an adjustment range of 15cm for example, the first rod 141 has a length greater than or equal to 25cm, thus making it possible to guarantee a fitting of at least 10cm, giving great mechanical resistance to this connection.

[0059] Thus, in order to carry out tests enabling, for example, the robustness of a driving assistance system or AD AS to be verified, an operator has a versatile tool which can be fixed on different vehicles and capable of adapting to various positions of a camera on board this vehicle. In addition, the use of this device does not damage the vehicle on which it is installed.

[0060] This device thus allows the operator to effectively close the camera lens. temporarily by controlling the position of the mask via the control means made available to it, the handling being easy and safe.

[0061] It should be noted that this detailed description relates to particular embodiments of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting character with respect to the subject of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for shuttering a lens of a camera on board a vehicle via a remote control, said shutter device (10) being characterized in that it comprises: - fixing means (112) arranged on a support (11) of the shutter device (10) along a plane (P) and configured to fix said device (10) on a surface of the vehicle, - a rotary arm (13) mounted on said support (11) by means of a bearing (12), said rotary arm (13) extending along a third longitudinal axis (A3) and being configured to pivot relative to the support (11) about a first axis (A1) normal to said plane (P), - control means (16) configured to control an angular position of the rotary arm (13) relative to the support (11) about said first axis (A1), and - a bracket (14) comprising a first rod (141) fitted into said rotary arm (13) and a shutter (146) mounted on the first rod (141),the shutter comprising a mask (145) arranged at one end of said shutter (146), said mask (145) being configured to close said lens of said camera in a closing position of an assembly comprising said bracket (14) and said rotating arm (13).,

2. A shutter device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said shutter (146) comprises a second rod (143) mounted on the first rod (141) via a first interface (142), the second rod (143) being positioned along a second longitudinal axis (A2) parallel to the first axis (A1) and at a distance (D) from the first axis (A1), a height (h) between a point (p) of a shutter face (1451) of the mask (145) and said plane (P) being adjustable by translation of the second rod (143) relative to the first rod (141) along the second axis (A2).

3. Closure device (10) according to claim 2, further comprising means for adjusting the distance (D) by translation of the bracket (14) relative to the rotary arm (13) along the third axis (A3).

4. A closure device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means (15) for stabilizing the rotary arm (13) around the closure position.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, for which the means control (16) are secured to the rotating arm (13) via a second interface (133).

6. Closure device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one stop (115) fixed to the support (11) and configured to limit said angular position.

7. Sealing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, for which the mask (145) is made of a flexible material belonging to a set of materials comprising: - a foam, - a sponge, - a felt, - cellulose, and - cotton.

8. A sealing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said fixing means (112) comprise magnets or suction cups.

9. A sealing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising carrying handles (113) fixed to the support (11).

10. A sealing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bearing 12 comprises at least one ball bearing.

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