Movable Vehicle Camera and Lighting Unit Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movable camera and lighting systems for motor vehicles are complex and require significant installation space due to their mechanical complexity, making them less compact and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A compact and simplified movable lighting and image recording unit with a movable section carrying a camera and light source, capable of translational and rotational movement, is integrated into the vehicle body, using a drive unit and control system to adjust positions based on vehicle parameters and sensor inputs, allowing for various operating positions and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable camera and lighting system is installed in a motor vehicle, then visibility and functionality are enhanced, but mechanical complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera unit and lighting unit into a single integrated movable assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate mechanical systems needed, thereby reducing overall mechanical complexity while maintaining enhanced visibility and functionality. The camera and lighting components share common mounting structures, actuation mechanisms, and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both imaging capability and lighting capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing mechanical complexity. The same movable structure, actuators, and control systems serve both the camera and lighting functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable camera and lighting system is installed in a motor vehicle, then visibility and functionality are enhanced, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the camera and lighting units into a single integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total volume required for installation. Instead of allocating separate spaces for independent camera and lighting systems, the combined assembly occupies a single, optimized space within the vehicle, thereby reducing overall installation space while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a compact nested arrangement where the lighting unit is positioned around or adjacent to the camera unit within the same movable assembly. This nesting allows both components to share the same installation envelope, reducing the total volume required while maintaining full operational capability of both systems.
3Reliability
If existing movable camera and lighting systems are used, then imaging and lighting functions are provided, but the systems are complex and require significant installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate camera and lighting systems into a single integrated movable assembly. This integration reduces system complexity by eliminating redundant components, shared control systems, and multiple actuation mechanisms while maintaining reliable imaging and lighting functions through coordinated operation of the unified system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting and image-recording unit (30, 110) to be applied to a vehicle body (10, 120) in a movable manner, comprising a movable section (31, 116) carrying an image-recording section (32, 114) with at least one camera (33, 180), and a lighting part (34) with at least one light source (35) and a closing section (36), in which the movable section (31, 116) can be moved between an idle and stowed position, in which the closing section (36) closes a receiving element (20, 122) in the vehicle body (10, 120), and at least one operating position, in which the camera (33, 180) records video images and the light source (35) can emit light, the direction of translation (124) extending at least partially substantially perpendicularly to an outer surface of the vehicle body (10, 120) and/or substantially horizontally, and the at least one light source (35) is part of a sidelight, surroundings lighting, a signal or alarm light, an indicator, a camper light, a laser display, a logo lamp, a ground light and/or a projector. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a lighting and image-recording unit (30, 110).