Motor Vehicle Camera Unit with Hinged Protective Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for motor vehicles are inflexible, prone to damage, and costly due to complex mechanisms and direct attachment to protective elements, which leads to inadequate protection and frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a camera unit and protective element that are movably hinged to each other, allowing for compact design, flexible positioning, and shared movement via a single drive unit, ensuring the camera is protected when retracted and easily aligned for image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera unit is rigidly attached to the recording device, then the camera is extended when the recording device is extended, but the arrangement is inflexible, takes up a lot of installation space and protects the camera only to a limited extent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the camera unit detachably connectable to the recording device. This allows the camera to be dynamically attached when needed for extended recording and detached when protection or space optimization is required, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the recording system into separate components: the recording device and the camera unit. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, enabling the camera to be protected when detached while maintaining functional integrity when attached, thus reducing overall installation space requirements
2Ease of operation
If the camera unit is attached directly to the protective element, then the protective element can be moved into closed and open positions, but the direct arrangement is prone to failure due to weather effects and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the recording device - between the camera unit and the protective element. This intermediary provides a stable mounting platform that is not directly subject to the wear and sealing issues of the protective element, while still allowing the protective element to perform its movement function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the camera unit from direct attachment to the protective element, removing it from the problematic sealing interface. This extraction prevents the camera from being exposed to dirt and moisture loads that result from protective element wear, while maintaining the protective element's operational functionality
3Extent of automation
If a motor with two mechanisms is used to move the camera unit and protective element, then both components can be actuated, but the device becomes structurally complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the movable connection mechanism to serve multiple functions: it enables protective element movement, facilitates camera unit positioning, and allows detachment/attachment operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing component count while maintaining full automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of moving the protective element and positioning the camera unit into a single integrated movable connection mechanism. This combining of functions reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to actuate both elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a camera unit (10), which can be brought into an idle position (A) and an active position (B), and a protection element (12), which can be transferred into a closed position (C) and an open position (D), wherein the camera unit (10) in the idle position (A) thereof is inaccessible from the outside behind the protection element (12) when the protection element (12) is in the closed position (C), and the camera unit (10) is in the active position (B) for image acquisition when the protection element (12) is in the open position (D), and further comprising a drive unit (11) for moving the camera unit (10) and the protection element (12). The camera unit (10) and the protection element (12) are movably articulated to one another on said device. The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising such a device.