Vehicle rearview device

Abstract

The invention relates to a rearview device for a vehicle comprising at least one camera arranged at the rear of said vehicle; the vehicle comprises a rear face (20); said camera comprises a lens (21) and a body (22); the camera is connected to a display device located in the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle; remarkable in that the vehicle comprises a niche positioned in the rear face (20) of the vehicle configured to house said camera; along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said camera is positioned inside the vehicle at a predetermined distance from the rear face (20). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Rearview device for vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a rearview device for a vehicle. It applies, in particular, to the field of mechatronics and automobiles. Prior art

[0002] The cameras located at the rear of the vehicle are very important components of the vehicle. They are used when reversing the vehicle.

[0003] Most of the time, cameras are dirty with dust or liquid. This results in the driver not being able to see when reversing the vehicle. The camera becomes opaque and unusable.

[0004] A camera installed inside the vehicle, behind the glass, disrupts the image quality. The causes are light reflections due to the glass, cleanliness of the glass involving wiping the glass, water running off the glass or frost.

[0005] Certain prior art documents also propose devices comprising a camera at the rear of a vehicle. For example, publication document FR2673499 is known, which refers to a rear-view camera device for a motor vehicle. However, this is positioned behind a window, which may present a disadvantage. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach.

[0007] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a rearview device for a vehicle

[0008] In particular, an objective of the invention is to provide such a technique making it possible to dispense with any other complex adjustment system.

[0009] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved, according to one aspect, using a rearview device for a vehicle comprising at least one camera arranged at the rear of said vehicle; the vehicle comprises a rear face; said camera comprises a lens and a body; the camera is connected to a display device located in the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle; remarkable in that the vehicle comprises a niche positioned in the rear face of the vehicle configured to house said camera; along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said camera is positioned inside the vehicle at a predetermined distance relative to the rear face.

[0010] Choosing a camera lens outside the vehicle allows for better image quality.

[0011] The solution of housing the camera in a niche makes it possible to reduce light reflections (sun, 3rd brake light, etc.), to reduce soiling of the lens, either directly (rain, snow, etc.), or by projections (dirt rising up by the air flow while driving), to reduce the deposit of frost on the lens.

[0012] Wind tunnel tests have also demonstrated that the niche prevents dirt from rising.

[0013] The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically effective combination.

[0014] In one embodiment, the predetermined distance is between 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the camera is positioned in a support; said support comprises a through hole; said through hole comprises a circular opening corresponding to a positioning clearance of said camera at the lens; said positioning clearance is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0016] Thanks to these arrangements, this circular opening allows water to pass around the camera lens.

[0017] In one embodiment, the through hole of the support has a discharge groove which extends to the circular opening.

[0018] Thanks to these arrangements, the drainage groove allows the water to flow towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0019] In one embodiment, the width of said discharge groove is between 4 mm and 7 mm.

[0020] In one embodiment, said discharge groove extends in a rectilinear direction to the circular opening, the section of said groove of which increases towards the circular opening.

[0021] In one embodiment, the support comprises a surface from which the camera protrudes beyond said surface by at least 1.5 mm.

[0022] In one embodiment, the device comprises a cleaning nozzle configured to send a liquid onto said camera; said cleaning nozzle is fixed to the support.

[0023] Thanks to these provisions, the nozzle makes it possible to clean the camera lens when it is dirty.

[0024] In one embodiment, a gasket is positioned between the camera body and the mount.

[0025] Thanks to these provisions, this seal makes it possible to obtain a seal and that water does not does not flow between the two parts.

[0026] In one embodiment, the support is held in position by screwing to the rear face.

[0027] Thanks to these provisions, the support is fixed to the vehicle, so there is no possibility of the support moving. Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the following description given, for explanatory and in no way limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] represents the rear vision device for vehicles.

[0030] [Fig.2] represents a sectional view of the device.

[0031] [Fig.3] represents a side view of the rearview device.

[0032] [Fig.4] represents a second profile view of the device. Description of the embodiments

[0033] [Fig. 1] shows the vehicle rearview device.

[0034] This device is represented in three dimensions.

[0035] This device includes a camera.

[0036] The camera is positioned on a rear face at the rear of the vehicle.

[0037] According to one example, the camera is fixed to a support 23.

[0038] The rear face represents a flap of a vehicle.

[0039] The camera comprises a lens 21 and a body 22, the lens 21 is located at the end of the camera.

[0040] In the variant shown, the body 22 and the lens 21 form a single piece.

[0041] The support 23 on the rear face allows the camera to be fixed and is in contact with the camera body 22.

[0042] This contact between the support 23 and the body 22 of the camera is made inside the vehicle.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the support 23 comprises a through hole allowing the camera to be inserted.

[0044] The through hole has a circular opening whose diameter is greater than the camera and corresponding to a positioning clearance of the camera.

[0045] A seal 25 is positioned between the body 22 of the camera and the support 23.

[0046] According to a variant, the seal 25 is a co-molded seal 25.

[0047] This seal 25 makes it possible to retain water in the device in order to avoid infiltration inside the vehicle flap.

[0048] The support 23 is held in position by screwing to the rear face.

[0049] According to another variant, the camera is riveted with the support 23.

[0050] Riveting is a mechanical fastening method used to join two parts together permanently. It involves the use of rivets, which are small cylindrical elements with a head at one end.

[0051] The device comprises a cleaning nozzle 26 configured to send a liquid onto said camera.

[0052] This figure shows the nozzle 26 which sends a liquid onto the camera, not shown.

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 26 is clipped onto the rear face of the vehicle.

[0054] To ensure sealing with the vehicle flap, an O-ring is positioned between the nozzle 26 and the rear face.

[0055] An O-ring is a type of torus-shaped mechanical seal made from an elastomeric material.

[0056] The purpose of this O-ring is to prevent water from the nozzle 26 from entering the interior of the vehicle, and to obtain positioning of the nozzle 26.

[0057] The device is connected with a display device of the vehicle.

[0058] The camera is digitally connected by wire to the display device.

[0059] This display device is positioned in the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle.

[0060] According to one variant, the display device is an electric rearview mirror.

[0061] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0062] [Fig.2] shows a sectional view of the device.

[0063] This figure shows the same characteristics as the previous figure.

[0064] According to one example, the camera is positioned at a predetermined distance relative to the rear face 20, along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0065] This predetermined distance is between 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0066] The support 23 comprises a surface from which the camera protrudes beyond this surface.

[0067] The projection of the camera relative to the surface of the support 23 is at least 1.5 mm.

[0068] According to one example, the positioning clearance is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0069] According to one variant, the positioning clearance is 0.75 mm.

[0070] The through hole of the support 23 has a discharge groove 24.

[0071] The width of the discharge groove 24 is between 4 mm and 7 mm.

[0072] The discharge groove 24 extends in a rectilinear direction to the circular opening, the section of the groove of which increases towards the circular opening.

[0073] Above the discharge groove 24, the shape of the through hole is visible.

[0074] [Fig.3] shows a side view of the rearview device.

[0075] The letter A drawn in the figure represents the positioning clearance of the through hole. The positioning clearance is 0.75 mm, between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0076] [Fig.4] shows a second profile view of the device.

[0077] The letter B drawn in the figure represents the predetermined distance of the camera. The predetermined distance is between 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0078] The letter C drawn in the figure represents the projection of the camera relative to the surface of the support 23. The projection of the camera relative to the surface of the support 23 is at least 1.5 mm.

[0079] It is emphasized that all features, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached features, even if concretely they have only been described in relation to other determined features, both individually and in any combinations, can be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or meaningless. List of reference signs

[0080] [Tables 1] References Designations 20 rear face 21 lens 22 body 23 support 24 drain groove 25 seal 26 nozzle

Claims

Claims

1. Rearview device for a vehicle comprising at least one camera arranged at the rear of said vehicle; the vehicle comprises a rear face (20); said camera comprises a lens (21) and a body (22); the camera is connected to a display device located in the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle; characterized in that the vehicle comprises a niche positioned in the rear face (20) of the vehicle configured to house said camera; along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said camera is positioned inside the vehicle at a predetermined distance relative to the rear face (20).

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is between 10 mm and 30 mm.

3. Device according to claim 1 to 2, wherein the camera is positioned in a support (23); said support (23) has a through hole; said through hole has a circular opening corresponding to a positioning clearance of said camera at the lens (21); said positioning clearance is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

4. A device according to claim 2 to 3, wherein the through hole of the support (23) has a discharge groove (24) which extends to the circular opening.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the width of said discharge groove (24) is between 4 mm and 7 mm.

6. Device according to claim 4 to 5, wherein said discharge groove (24) extends in a rectilinear direction to the circular opening, the section of said groove of which increases towards the circular opening.

7. Device according to claim 3 to 6, in which the support (23) comprises a surface from which the camera protrudes beyond said surface by at least 1.5 mm.

8. Device according to claim 1 to 7, wherein the device comprises a cleaning nozzle (26) configured to send a liquid onto said camera; said cleaning nozzle (26) is fixed to the support (23).

9. Device according to claim 1 to 8, wherein a seal (25) is positioned between the body (22) of the camera and the support (23).

10. Device according to claim 3 to 9, in which the support (23) is held in position by screwing to the rear face (20).

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