Vision Camera Spherical Mounting for Driver Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver monitoring systems for vehicles face high development, validation, and manufacturing costs due to the need for diverse housing and cover parts across different car lines, as well as varying installation positions of infrared modules, which complicates the alignment and adjustment of vision devices.
Innovation Solution
A driver monitoring system with a form and force fitting mount using spherical contours and mounting elements, allowing for angular adjustment of vision devices without the need for glue or fixation elements, and incorporating a flexible flange or clinching dome for secure mounting, enabling easy re-orientation and reduced part variety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diverse housing and cover parts are used for different car lines, then the driver monitoring system can be adapted to various installation positions, but the development, validation, and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal housing design with standardized mounting interfaces that can accommodate different vision devices (infrared modules, vision cameras) across various car lines. The housing includes standardized threaded holes and mounting flanges that allow the same housing structure to be used for different vehicle configurations, eliminating the need for line-specific housing variants and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into standardized interface elements (housing with threaded holes, mounting flanges, positioning elements) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the same housing structure to be adapted to different installation positions by simply repositioning the mounting elements rather than creating entirely different housing designs for each car line
2Measurement precision
If the infrared module is mounted at different angles for different car lines, then the system can focus on the driver correctly, but the housing and cover parts must be diversified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the infrared module and vision device to be positioned at different angles within the same housing. The housing includes adjustable flanges and positioning elements that enable dynamic reconfiguration of the module angles without requiring different housing designs, thus maintaining driver focus accuracy while reducing housing variety
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design includes asymmetric mounting features and adjustable flanges that can be configured for different angular positions. These asymmetric elements are designed to be repositionable, allowing the same housing structure to accommodate various angular requirements for different car lines through simple reconfiguration rather than creating symmetric variants
3Reliability
If vision devices are securely mounted in the housing, then the mounting reliability is high, but the assembly process becomes complex requiring glue or fixation elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fixation systems (glue, multiple fixation elements) with a simplified threaded mounting system. The housing includes integrated threaded holes and mounting flanges that allow vision devices to be securely fastened using simple screws or bolts, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding and complex fixation mechanisms while maintaining high mounting reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design includes self-aligning mounting features with standardized threaded holes and flanges that automatically position the vision device correctly during assembly. This self-service mounting system eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures or additional fixation elements, as the standardized interfaces guide the mounting process and ensure reliable attachment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables low-force assembly and adjustment of vision devices, reducing costs and part diversity, while maintaining secure mounting and effective illumination for driver monitoring across various car lines.
Implementation Method 1
The first spherical outer contour and the second spherical outer contour provide in cooperation with the housing base and in cooperation with a mounting element a form and force fitting mount of the vision device in the outer housing
Implementation Method 2
allowing for angular adjustment of vision devices without the need for glue or fixation elements, and incorporating a flexible flange or clinching dome for secure mounting
Data Source
AI summary
A driver monitoring system (1) which includes at least one vision device (10). The at least one vision device (10) is positioned in or at an outer housing (7) and pointing to an outside of the outer housing (7). The outer housing (7) is defined by a housing cover (8) and a housing base (9). A housing (20) of the vision device (10) has a first spherical outer contour (21) and a second spherical outer contour (22). The first spherical outer contour (21) and the second spherical outer contour (22) provide in cooperation with the housing base (9) and in cooperation with a mounting element (40) a form and force fitting mount of the vision device (10) in the housing outer (7).