DE102017109872B4 - Lighting and image recording unit for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Lighting and imaging unit (30) for movably attaching to a vehicle body (10), having a movable arm (31) having an imaging part (32) with at least one video camera (33), a lighting part (34) with at least one light source (35) and an end part (36), the image recording part (32) being movable in translation and/or rotation relative to the lighting part (34) on the one hand, and the arm (31) being movable in translation and/or rotation on the other between a rest position in which the closing part (36) closes off a receptacle (20) in the vehicle body (10), and is movable in at least one operating position in which the video camera (33) can record video images and/or the light source (35) can emit light, characterized in that that a multiplicity of light sources (35) are provided, the light sources being individually controllable, and/or a multiplicity of light guides are provided with the at least one light source, the light guides being individually controllable, with color, intensity and/or switch-on times preferably being controllable.

Description

The invention relates to a movable lighting and image recording unit for a motor vehicle, in particular a lighting and image recording unit for movably attaching to a vehicle body, with a movable arm which has an image recording part with at least one video camera, a lighting part with at least one light source and wearing an end part, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The US 2015/0360 619 A1 describes a generic lighting and imaging unit. There it is described that in an arrangement for a vehicle with a support housing which has a through opening, a drive unit which is attached to the support housing, a camera unit which can be moved between a rest position and an active position, a protective flap which can be moved between a closed position and an open position, an actuating element is provided which is motionally coupled to the drive unit and which forces the protective flap into its open position when the vehicle is reversing and the camera unit is in the active position. When the vehicle is driving forward, the camera unit assumes a collision monitoring position in which the protective flap is arranged in its closed position and in which the camera unit is arranged at a monitoring opening formed in the protective flap for filming the following or preceding traffic.

From the DE 10 2014 217 864 A1 another lighting and imaging unit is known. More specifically, it relates to an automotive camera that is at least partially held in a housing installed on or in an automotive vehicle. There is at least one light source for illuminating at least a partial area of the camera environment. The housing should be at least partially light-conducting, with at least one illuminant being positioned in such a way that light can be coupled into the light-conducting part and out in the direction of the partial area of the camera environment to be illuminated.

one from the DE 10 2008 012 033 A1 known vehicle has a camera for monitoring an environment, ie a rear traffic area. The camera is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. It is fully covered with a pivoting upper flap and a pivoting lower flap in the retracted position.

From the DE 10 2014 013 673 A1 a bracket for fold-out reversing lights is known.

The DE 10 2015 007 179 A1 describes an environment detection device for a motor vehicle.

From the US 9,403,491 B2 a vehicle having a vehicle body structure and a video camera unit is known. The video camera unit includes a base, a video camera, a video display, and an image processor. The base member is fixedly attached to a side surface of the vehicle. The video camera is movably mounted on the base for movement between a retracted (rest) position adjacent the side surface and an extended (operating) position away from the side surface for capturing a video image. The video display is arranged in a passenger compartment. The image processor is operatively coupled to the video camera and the video display to process the video image captured by the video camera and to stream video to the video display. In one embodiment, the base element can be attached to the inside of a fender in such a way that the distal end of the video camera is flush with the outside of the fender in the rest position. In another embodiment, the video camera can be rotated.

The DE 103 36 681 A1 relates to a motor vehicle with a device for detecting the surroundings, comprising a detection means and a means for analyzing the information provided by the detection means for determining an object in the surrounding area, and with a lighting device which can be controlled via a control device depending on the determination result in such a way that the determined object can be individually illuminated is.

The object of the invention is to further develop the generic lighting and image recording unit for a motor vehicle in such a way that it overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claims 1 and 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in claims 2-9 and 11-14.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a lighting and image recording unit for movably attaching to a vehicle body, with a movable arm having an image recording part with at least one video camera, a lighting part with at least one light source and a closure part wherein the arm is movable between a rest position in which the closure member completes a receptacle in the vehicle body and at least one operative position in which the video camera can capture video images and/or the light source can emit light.

In this case, it is preferred that the arm can be moved in a translatory and/or rotary manner, preferably via at least one first drive unit. The invention is characterized in that the image recording part can be moved in translation and/or rotation relative to the lighting part, preferably via at least one second drive unit. It is also preferred that the video camera can be moved in translation and/or rotation in the image recording part, preferably via at least one third drive unit, and/or the light source in the lighting part can be moved in translation and/or rotation, preferably via at least one fourth drive unit.

It is also proposed according to the invention that the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit can be controlled by a control unit, preferably as a function of at least one vehicle parameter, at least one input from a driver and/or signals from at least one first sensor unit.

Embodiments according to the invention can be characterized in that the video camera and/or the light source can be controlled by the control unit, preferably as a function of at least one vehicle parameter, at least one input from a driver and/or signals from the first sensor unit and/or at least one second sensor unit.

It is also proposed that the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit, the control unit, the first sensor unit and/or the second sensor unit is/are arranged at least partially in the image recording part, the lighting part and/or the closing part.

According to the invention, a large number of individually controllable light sources are provided and/or a large number of light guides that can be fed in individually with light are provided with the at least one light source, with color, intensity and/or switch-on times preferably being controllable.

It can advantageously be provided that the closing part is attached to the lighting part, in particular in a detachable or replaceable manner.

The invention also provides a motor vehicle with at least one lighting and image recording unit according to the invention.

It can be provided that the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit, the control unit, the first sensor unit and/or the second sensor unit is/are arranged at least partially in the motor vehicle.

The invention also proposes that the receptacle in the vehicle body includes a first receptacle area that is complementary to the image capturing part and a second receptacle area that is complementary to the lighting part.

In addition, it can be provided that the arm extends through an opening that runs through the wall of the vehicle body.

Furthermore, it is proposed according to the invention that the closure part terminates flush with the vehicle body when the arm is in the rest position.

In particular, the lighting and image recording unit according to the invention can also include a rear view device or the features and functions of a rear view device.

A rear vision device is a type of device that generally satisfies the legal requirements for rear vision devices in vehicles, particularly in motor vehicles. Such a rear-view device thus provides an image of the rear area that at least corresponds to the legal regulations, essentially in the same way as, for example, in the prior art the image or image of the rear area can be provided by an interior mirror or a camera system with a display device, and the oblique lateral and rear areas lying to the side, essentially in the same way as, for example, in the prior art, the image or the image of the lateral or obliquely lateral rear area can be provided by exterior rear-view mirrors or camera systems with display devices. Such a rear vision device is a subset of a device for indirect vision and the objects and solutions presented herein in the invention can accordingly also be applied to devices for indirect vision. Examples of this are images and views of objects that are not in the driver's field of vision, i.e. the directions opposite, left, right, below and above the viewing direction, but also the driver's viewing direction and / or any combination of these directions can be included be. The view of the driver can namely not be completely satisfactory, especially in the line of sight, for example, can If the view is obstructed by parts of your own vehicle, such as parts of the body, in particular the A-pillar, the roof structure and/or the bonnet, and the view is obstructed by other vehicles and/or objects outside the vehicle that obstruct the view in this way that the driver cannot grasp the situation completely satisfactorily or only incompletely. In addition, it is possible that the driver is not able to perceive the situation presented to him in or outside of his line of vision in a way that would be necessary to control the vehicle in accordance with the situation. A rear-view device can therefore also be designed in such a way that it processes the information according to the driver's abilities in order to enable him to assess the situation in the best possible way.

It is also an aspect of the invention that a rear-view device can be provided which can also operate outside of the current legal regulations and which can then nevertheless be approved for operation through special permits or an adjustment of the legal regulations. Such a rear vision device can be considered particularly inventive as it provides a solution outside the given prior art framework.

The rear view device can also be equipped with various lighting devices.

Various functions and devices can be built into rear-view devices and/or controlled with the aid of rear-view devices, camera systems also being included in particular.

Functions and devices for improving, expanding and/or maintaining the functionality of the rear view device under normal or extreme conditions are particularly useful. In this case, heating and/or cooling devices, cleaning agents such as wipers, liquid and/or gaseous sprays, actuator means for moving the rear view device or parts thereof, such as a display, a camera system and/or parts of a camera system, including for example lenses, filters, Light sources, adaptive optics such as deformable mirrors, sensors and/or mirrors, and/or actuator means for inducing movements of other objects, for example parts of the vehicle and/or objects surrounding the vehicle. Furthermore, the rear view device can comprise linear guides and/or rotating wheels, such as a filter wheel, for exchanging optical elements, for example comprising lenses, mirrors, light sources, sensors, adaptive optics such as deformable mirrors and/or filters.

Important examples of functions and devices integrated into rear vision devices and/or controlled by means of rear vision devices also include lighting devices, for example any type of light module such as an external light module, an internal light module, a front light, a rear light, a fog light , a brake light, an acceleration light, a flashing light, a logo light, an apron light, a ground light, a puddle light, a flashing light, a navigation light, a position light, an emergency light, a headlight, a green light, a red light, a warning light, a flashing light -Light module, a proximity light, a search light, an information light, a display and/or any combination thereof.

Other examples of functions and devices that are integrated into rear view devices and/or controlled with the help of rear view devices can be, for example, a tiredness detection system, a microsleep detection system, a distance and/or speed determination system, for example a LIDAR (light detection and distance detection) system , a blind spot indication system, a lane change assistance system, a navigation assistance system, a tracking assistance system, a human-machine interaction system, a machine-machine interaction system, an emergency and precautionary assistance system, such as an accident avoidance assistance system , a countermeasure assistance system, a braking assistance system, a steering assistance system, an acceleration assistance system, an escape assistance system, which includes, for example, an ejection seat system, a direction indicator, a blind spot indicator, a proximity system, a hard braking system, an emergency braking system, a charge status indicator, a vehicle mode system , which includes, for example, a sport mode system, an economy mode system, an autonomous driving mode system, a sleep mode system and/or an anti-theft system, a vehicle-locked indication system, a vehicle-stolen display , a warning signal system, a temperature indicator system, a weather indication system, a traffic light signal system, a fuel status system, and/or any combination thereof.

An example of a rear view device with a lighting device that fulfills the brake light functions is in the German patent application DE 10 2012 108 488 A1 filed September 11, 2012 entitled REARVIEW ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE and is hereby incorporated by reference is taken. A light guide unit for a lighting device used in a rear view system is in the German patent application DE 10 2012 104 529 A1 filed May 25, 2012, entitled LIGHT GUIDE UNIT, which is hereby incorporated by reference. A lighting device for a rear view device is in the German patent application DE 10 2012 107 833 A1 filed August 24, 2012 entitled LIGHTING DEVICE AND REARVIEW DEVICE and is hereby incorporated by reference. A lighting device for a rear unit is in the German patent application DE 10 2012 107 834 A1 filed August 24, 2012 entitled LIGHTING DEVICE AND REARVIEW DEVICE and is hereby incorporated by reference. A housing and display device of a rearview device is disclosed in European patent EP 0 000 000 000 000 000 000:00:00 0000 000 000 000 EP 2 738 043 B1 filed December 3, 2012 entitled ENCLOSURES AND DISPLAY DEVICE and is hereby incorporated by reference. An optical light guide for a vehicle lighting unit is disclosed in European patent EP 0 000 000 100 000 EP 2 947 378 B1 filed on May 22, 2014 entitled LIGHT GUIDE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING UNIT and is hereby incorporated by reference. A display device of a rear view device of a vehicle is disclosed in International Patent Application EP 0 080 000 A1 WO 2015/173 695 A1 filed on May 7, 2015 entitled DISPLAY DEVICE, REARVIEW DEVICE AND MOTOR VEHICLE and priority of European patent application EP 2 944 866 A1 filed May 12, 2014 entitled OPTIC UNIT, DISPLAY DEVICE, REAR VIEW DEVICE AND MOTOR VEHICLE THEREOF, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Furthermore, in the European patent application EP 3 045 944 A1 which was filed on January 19, 2015 under the title LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS, discloses a light conductive device for a lighting device, in particular for a motor vehicle or a display device, in a rear view device of a motor vehicle and is hereby incorporated by reference. Furthermore, in US patent application no. 15/228,566, filed on August 4, 2016, entitled LIGHT CONTROL DEVICE, discloses a light guide device for a lighting device, in particular for a motor vehicle or a display device in a rear view device of a motor vehicle, and which is a continuation-in -Part of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/000,733 filed January 19, 2016 entitled LIGHT GUIDE, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Furthermore, in the international patent application WO 2016/ 147 154 A1 , which was filed on March 18, 2016 under the title LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A LIGHTING DEVICE, discloses a lighting device, in particular for a rear view device of a motor vehicle and a method for manufacturing the same, and which has the priority of the German patent application DE 10 2015 104 163 A1 , filed March 19, 2015, entitled LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING A LIGHTING DEVICE, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. An improved rear view apparatus for a motor vehicle incorporating an electronic device is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 15/256,532 filed September 3, 2016 entitled ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND REAR VIEW DEVICE DEVICE and overriding priority of European Patent Application No. 3139711 filed September 3, 2015 entitled ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND REAR VIEW DEVICE, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. A lighting device for a rear view device or a footwell device of a vehicle with at least one light source is in the German patent application DE 10 2015 115 555 A1 , filed September 9, 2015, entitled LIGHTING DEVICE, REARVIEW DEVICE, FOOTWELL DEVICE AND VEHICLE, and is hereby incorporated by reference. A light module for a light assembly of an exterior rear view device is in European patent application EP 0 000 000 100 000 EP 3 138 734 A1 filed September 3, 2015, entitled LIGHT MODULE, LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND REAR VIEW APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE, which is hereby incorporated by reference. A lighting device for a vehicle component, in particular for a rear view device of a motor vehicle with a logo light and a deflection mirror, which is disclosed in European patent application EP 3 144 183 A1 , filed on September 13, 2016 with the title LIGHTING DEVICE, VEHIUGLE COMPONENT AND VEHICLE, and the priority of the German utility model application DE 20 2015 104 894 U1 filed September 15, 2015 entitled LIGHTING DEVICE, VEHICLE COMPONENT AND VEHICLE, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

A camera system can, in particular, have a large number of different optical elements, which, among other things, can have a large number of different Includes sensors and light sources, and include housing parts.

The housing of a camera system may be made of plastic, metal, glass, any other suitable material, and/or any combination thereof, and may be used in combination with the techniques described below to alter or modify the properties of the material or material surface. Cases are, for example, in the German patent application DE 10 2016 108 247 A1 , filed May 3, 2016, entitled CLEANING SYSTEM FOR A CAMERA and US Patent Application Serial No. 15/281,780, filed September 30, 2016, entitled TELESCOPIC REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITH CAMERA AND LENS WIPING SYSTEM, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference become.

The camera can include, for example, CCD or CMOS or light field sensors, such as those described in the German patent application DE 10 2011 053 999 A1 , filed September 28, 2011, entitled DETECTION SYSTEM, AUTOMOTIVE AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM and U.S. Patent Application No. 09/771,140, filed January 26, 2001, entitled MONITORING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES, PREFERRED FOR AUTOMOTIVES and now U.S. Patent No. 6,703,925 , all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, an area of the sensor can be reserved for various purposes, such as detecting a test beam, as in U.S. Patent No. 8,031,224 issued September 9, 2014 entitled CAMERA SYSTEM, METHOD OF OPERATING A CAMERA SYSTEM AND SENSING DEVICE OF A CAMERA SYSTEM, filed, and which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The optical elements can be molded or formed from any type of glass or any other suitable material. Glass is used herein in the sense of a non-crystalline amorphous solid that exhibits a glass transition when heated toward the liquid state. It includes, for example, the group of polymer glasses, metal glasses, silica glasses, but any other suitable material that exhibits the glass transition can also be used. The glass can be either flat, wedge-shaped, rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, conical, elliptical and/or circular, as for example in the German patent application DE 10 2016 108 247 A1 and the German patent application DE 10 2011 103 200 A1 filed May 31, 2011 entitled LIGHT WINDOWS, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, or shaped according to different needs or lens types. As non-limiting examples, camera systems can be equipped with lenses, such as a wide-angle or fisheye lens, suitable for providing peripheral images, as described in US Patent Application No. 15/281,780 and US Patent Application No. 13/090,127, filed on April 19, 2011 entitled REARVIEW MIRROR SIMULATION, now US Patent No. 9,238,434, describes a Fresnel lens or microlenses as in the German patent application DE 10 2011 053 999 A1 , filed September 28, 2011 entitled DETECTION SYSTEM, AUTOMOTIVE AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, and a TIR (Total Internal Reflection Lens) as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,740,427 filed September 8, 2010 for OPTIMAL LIGHT COUPLING FOR REAR VIEW DEVICES, and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Another type of optical elements known to be used in camera systems are optical fibers, particularly in the form of fiber bundles and preferably in the form of fiber bundles with an optical head, such as described in US patent application Ser. No. 09/771,140. Various methods can be used to fabricate such optical elements, such as the method disclosed in US Pat U.S. 8,460,060 B2 filed January 30, 2009 entitled METHOD OF CREATING A COMPLEX SURFACE ON A GLASS SUBSTRATE, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The optical elements can be transparent, such as in the US patent U.S. 8,031,224 B2 , the German patent application DE 10 2016 108 247 A1 and the US patent application U.S. 2012/0 154 587 A1 , filed September 23, 2011, entitled CAMERA ASSEMBLY AND DOOR HANDLE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. However, the optical elements can also be semi-transparent as described in US Patent Application No. 09/771,140 and US Patent Application No. 13/090,127, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, the optical elements can be fully or partially coated with different types of coatings to realize different effects, such as anti-reflective coatings as described in US Patent No. 8,031,224, chromium-based reflective coatings as described in US Patent No. 9,181,616, filed January 24, 2012 entitled CHROME-BASED REFLECTIVE COATING, described et al Coatings, such as for polymeric substrates in US Patent Application No. 14/936,024 filed November 9, 2015 entitled COATED POLYMERIC SUBSTRATES and in US Patent Application U.S. 2015/0 124 310 A1 , filed February 20, 2015, entitled DECORATIVE COATINGS FOR PLASTIC SUBSTRATES, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The optical elements are preferably made of a scratch-resistant material, as is the case, for example, in the German patent application DE 10 2016 108 247 A1 which is incorporated herein by reference. The optical elements can have outcoupling structures at certain locations of the optical elements, and an optical film, for example an extrusion film, and a shaped coating can, as in the German patent application DE 10 2011 103 200 described, which is incorporated herein by reference. A spectral and voltage control coating is described in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/124,310, which is incorporated herein by reference. Various filters can be incorporated into the optical elements, such as neutral density filters or polarizing filters, which are described in US patent application Ser is recorded. Electrochromic substrates, polymer electrolytes and other charge-conducting media can be included for the optical elements based on the descriptions contained in European Patent Application No. 08103179.1 , filed on March 31, 2008 entitled METHOD OF PREPARING ELECTROCHROMIC SUBSTRATES AND ELECTROCHROMIC ARTICLES MADE THEREOF, European Patent No. 2202826 , filed December 23, 2008, entitled POLYMER ELECTROLYTES AND DEVICES, U.S. Patent No. 7,999,992 , filed January 7, 2005 entitled CHARGE CONDUCTING MEDIUM and U.S. Patent No. 8,537,451 filed March 26, 2008 entitled PROCESSES FOR MANUFACTURE OF ELECTROCHROMIC SUBSTRATES AND ELECTROCHROMIC ARTICLES MADE THEREOF, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The camera system may also be equipped with light intensity control devices such as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 809,509 described and light level amplifier tubes as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 771,140 described, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The electrochromic substrates and devices disclosed in European Patent Application No. 08103179.1 , the European patent no. 2202826 , U.S. Patent No. 7,999,992 and U.S. Patent No. 8,537,451 are used, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, can also be used for this purpose, as well as a transflector for transmitting or reflecting light on the basis of a corresponding input signal, as described in German patent application no. 102016106126.3 filed April 4, 2016 entitled IMAGE SYSTEM, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The camera system or a cover adapted to the camera system can be moved with various actuators, drives and/or a flexible track, as for example in German application no. 102016108247.3 and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 281,780 which are incorporated herein by reference.

Furthermore, the camera system can also comprise cleaning elements in order to clean the optical element which points outwards and is exposed to the environment. The cleaning element can include, for example, wipers, brushes, lips, nozzles, fans and similar elements as described in European Patent Application No. 14165197.6 , filed April 17, 2014, entitled OPTICAL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, CLEANING DEVICE AND VEHICLE WITH AN OPTICAL SYSTEM, U.S. patent application Ser. 15 / 281,780 , the German patent application no. 102016108247.3 , European patent application no. 13163677.1 , filed April 15, 2013 and entitled LENSENWISCHER, European Patent Application No. 15173201.3 , filed on June 22, 2015 entitled LENS CLEANING WITH FLEXIBLE ACTUATOR and European Patent No. 1673260 , filed October 14, 2003 for CLEANING DEVICE, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The cleaning devices are not restricted in their composition and can comprise, for example, any fabric, elastomer, sponge, brush or combination thereof. Specific wiper elements, including wiper arms, wiper blades, wipers, wiper fabrics and combinations thereof, are disclosed in European Patent Application No. 14165197.6 described, to which reference is hereby made. A wiper element can, for example, be made according to the method described in European Patent Application No. 130164250.6 , filed April 18, 2013 entitled METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A WIPER DEVICE, which is hereby incorporated by reference acceptance is recorded. A reservoir for holding a cleaning liquid as described in European Patent Application No. 14165197.6 is incorporated herein by reference. Such a reservoir can be attached to the camera system or integrated into it in order to supply the cleaning liquid to the optical elements of the camera system.

Various methods can be used to detect dirt or other obstructions that prevent or degrade the functioning of the camera system, as taught in U.S. Patent No. 8,395,514 , filed June 24, 2008 entitled OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING OPACITY OF THE OPTICAL SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE, European Patent No. 1328141 filed January 12, entitled ARRANGEMENT OF A CONDUCTOR OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF SUCH ASSEMBLY and U.S. Patent No. 8,031,224, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Also, light sources can be built into or integrated into the camera system to increase the visibility of surrounding objects, measure distances and directions, and detect debris, as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,031,224 , U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 470,658 , filed March 13, 2017, 2016 entitled LIGHT-EMITTING MIRROR MOUNT and U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 771,140 , and all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Various heating means such as heating coils, heaters integrated into the lens holder or bezel, or other heating elements can be used to prevent condensation and icing on the surface of optical elements, such as described in German Patent Application No. 102016108247.3 , U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 470,658 and the German patent application no. 102016107545.0 filed April 22, 2016 entitled HEATING DEVICE FOR CAMERA LENS, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Waterproof seals against the elements, as well as against the effects of washing processes involving detergents, solvents, and high-pressure washers, can be used on the camera system housing, for example, as described in US Patent Application No. 13/090,127, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, the housing may be made from a body consisting of plastic and conductive material, the conductive material being dispersed in the plastic material to form a conductive mass to allow a power source, preferably a DC voltage source, to be connected via at least two electrodes with to enter into a connection with the body and to heat the body accordingly, as described in German Patent Application No. 102016107545.0 which is incorporated herein by reference.

A conductive trace may be embedded in plastic parts of the camera system, as in European Patent No. 1328141 and U.S. Patent No. 7,083,311 , filed January 12, 2002, entitled CONDUCTORS MADE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, COMPONENTS INCLUDING SUCH FLEXIBLE CONDUCTORS AND METHOD OF MAKING SUCH CONDUCTOR, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The camera system may include an energy collection system such as that described in European Patent Application No. 09171683.7 , filed September 29, 2009, entitled SELF-SUPPORTED REARVIEW MIRROR, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

An electrical load fault detection system as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,487,633 filed on January 14, 2010 entitled FAILURE DETECTION OF ELECTRICAL LOADS IN MOTOR VEHICLES and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, can be used to detect a failure of the camera system.

Various types of attachments can be used to attach the camera system to the vehicle or other components, such as the snap-on connection disclosed in European Patent No. 2233360 filed March 27, 2009 entitled SNAP CONNECTION IN A REARVIEW MIRROR and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Various control means and analysis devices can be used, such as the calculation units described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 090,127 , the German patent application no. 102016106126.3 , the German patent application no. 102011053999 , European Patent Specification No. 2146325 , on July 16, 2008 entitled RECORDING DEVICE FOR RECORDING, EDIT AND STORAGE BACKUP OF IMAGE DATA IN A VEHICLE AND METHOD, and U.S. Patent No. 8,849,104 , filed July 16, 2008, entitled RECORDING DEVICE FOR RECORDING, EDITING AND STORING IMAGE DATA IN A VEHICLE, AND METHODS, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In addition, HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology according to US Patent Application No. 14/830,406 filed August 19, 2015 entitled REAR VIEW APPARATUS FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

• 1 zeigt eine Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungs- und Bildaufnahme-Einheit in ihrer Ruhepositionen; und
• 2 die Beleuchtungs- und Bildaufnahme-Einheit von 1 in einer Betriebsposition.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached drawings.

• 1 shows a sectional view of a lighting and image recording unit according to the invention in its rest positions; and
• 2 the lighting and imaging unit from 1 in an operating position.

The 1 and 2 show a section of a vehicle body 10 with a mount 20 for a lighting and image recording unit 30 according to the invention.

The lighting and image recording unit 30 comprises a movable arm 31 which carries an image recording part 32 with a video camera 33 , a lighting part 34 with a multiplicity of light sources 35 and a closing part 36 . In the retracted position of the arm 31 shown in 1 is shown and is hereinafter referred to as the rest position, the closing part 36 is flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body 10 by the arm 31, the image pickup part 32 and the lighting part 34 being arranged in the receptacle 20.

The lighting and image recording unit 30 can therefore be lowered into the receptacle 20 and thus into the body of the vehicle, so that it is not visible from the outside in the rest position. For this purpose, the holder 20 comprises a first recording area 21 for the image recording part 32 and a second recording area for the lighting part 34. The arm 31 can be moved in an opening 23, from the rest position to an operating position, as shown in FIG 2 is shown.

Several operating positions can be provided in which the arm 31 extends the image recording part 32 and the lighting part 34 to different extents from the receptacle 20 . There can be a first operating position for driving in narrow streets, a second operating position for normal driving and a third operating position for driving with a trailer.

The arm 31 performs a translational movement to change position. In addition, the arm 31 can be rotated. For this purpose, the arm is connected to a control unit (not shown) and a drive unit (not shown).

The control unit can be located inside the vehicle, for example as part of the on-board computer. Depending on vehicle parameters, inputs from a driver and/or signals from sensor units, it can control the drive unit. For example, if a trailer is coupled to the vehicle body 10, the third operating position can be switched to automatically when the engine is started. Or when a narrow alley is detected by a radar sensor on the vehicle body 10, it is automatically switched to the first operating position.

• • der Videokamera 33 in dem Bildaufnahmeteil 32;
• • des Bildaufnahmeteils 32 relativ zum Beleuchtungsteil 34; und/oder
• • der Lichtquellen 35 in dem Beleuchtungsteil 34; und/oder

bewirken. Dabei kann für das Bildaufnahmeteil 32 und/oder das Beleuchtungsteil 34 zumindest eine weitere, nicht gezeigte Antriebseinheit zum Einsatz kommen, die in dem Bildaufnahmeteil 32 und/oder dem Beleuchtungsteil 34 angeordnet sein kann, aber mit der Kontrolleinheit verbunden ist.The video camera 33 for recording video images and the light sources 35 for emitting light are also connected to the control unit. Furthermore, the control unit can also move, in particular rotate,

• • the video camera 33 in the image pickup part 32;
• • the imaging part 32 relative to the lighting part 34; and or
• • the light sources 35 in the lighting part 34; and or

cause. At least one further drive unit (not shown) can be used for the image recording part 32 and/or the lighting part 34, which can be arranged in the image recording part 32 and/or the lighting part 34 but is connected to the control unit.

The video camera 33 can therefore be used for different views, such as a driving view, a rear view, a ground view or the like.

The light sources 35 can also fulfill a wide variety of functions, in particular depending on the positioning of the lighting part 34 relative to the vehicle. In this way, a flashing function, a warning display or ambient lighting can be implemented via the lighting part 34 . If, for example, the arm 31 is extended to the third operating function, the lighting part 34 can supply a camper light. If, for example, the arm 31 is rotated, it can still always be in the same place, e.g. B. be illuminated on a floor by the different light sources 35 on or off depending on the respective rotational position be switched. With a large number of individually controllable light sources 35, numerous light effects can thus be implemented.

A rotatable unit consisting of the image recording part 32 and the lighting part 34 forces a rotationally symmetrical shape, while there are numerous design freedoms in the case of non-rotatable configurations. The end piece may be releasably attached to be easily replaceable in the event of damage and/or for design reasons. For example, it can be provided with a logo, a message or the like.

The lighting and image recording unit according to the invention opens up numerous possible uses in a wide variety of motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, mobile homes, motorcycles and the like.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing can be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Reference List

10

vehicle body

20

Recording

21

first recording area

22

second recording area

23

opening

30

Illumination and image acquisition unit

31

poor

32

image pickup part

33

video camera

34

lighting part

35

light source

36

final part

Claims (14)

Lighting and image pickup unit (30) for movably attaching to a vehicle body (10), having a movable arm (31) having an image pickup part (32) with at least one video camera (33), an illumination part (34) with at least one light source (35) and a closing part (36), whereby on the one hand the image pickup part (32) can be moved in translation and/or rotation relative to the lighting part (34), and on the other hand the arm (31) can be moved in translation and/or rotation between a rest position, in which the closing part (36) closes off a receptacle (20) in the vehicle body (10), and is movable in at least one operating position in which the video camera (33) can record video images and/or the light source (35) can emit light, thereby characterized in that a multiplicity of light sources (35) are provided, the light sources being individually controllable, and/or a multiplicity of light guides are provided with the at least one light source, the light guides being individually controllable, preferably color, intensity and/or Switch-on times can be controlled. Lighting and imaging unit claim 1 , characterized in that the video camera (33) in the image recording part (32) is movable in translation and/or rotation, and/or the light source (35) in the lighting part (34) is movable in translation and/or rotation. Lighting and imaging unit claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that (i) the arm (31) via at least one first drive unit, (ii) the image pickup part (32) relative to the lighting part (34) via at least one second drive unit, (iii) the video camera (33) in the image pickup part (32) via at least one third drive unit and/or (iv) the light source (35) can be moved in the lighting part (34) via at least one fourth drive unit. Lighting and imaging unit claim 3 , characterized in that the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit can be controlled by a control unit. Lighting and imaging unit claim 4 , characterized in that the activation of the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit takes place as a function of at least one vehicle parameter, at least one input from a driver and/or signals from at least one first sensor unit. Lighting and imaging unit claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the video camera (33) can be controlled by the control unit and/or the light source (35) can be controlled by the control unit. Lighting and imaging unit claim 6 , characterized in that the control of the video camera (33) and/or the light source (35) takes place as a function of at least one vehicle parameter, at least one input from a driver and/or signals from the first sensor unit and/or at least one second sensor unit. Lighting and imaging unit according to one of Claims 4 until 7 , characterized in that the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit, the control unit, the first sensor unit and/or the second sensor unit are at least partially in the image recording part (32), the lighting part (34) and/or the closing part (36 ) is/are arranged. Lighting and image recording unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing part (36) is attached to the lighting part (34), the closing part (36) being preferably detachably or exchangeably attached to the lighting part (34). Motor vehicle with at least one lighting and image recording unit (30) according to one of the preceding claims. motor vehicle after claim 10 , characterized in that the first, second, third and/or fourth drive unit, the control unit, the first sensor unit and/or the second sensor unit is/are arranged at least partially in the motor vehicle. motor vehicle after claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the recording (20) in the vehicle body (10) comprises a first recording area (21) complementary to the image recording part (32) and a second recording area (22) complementary to the lighting part (34). Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 11 or 12 , characterized in that the arm (31) extends through an opening (23) passing through the wall of the vehicle body. Motor vehicle according to one of Claims 10 until 13 , characterized in that the closing part (36) is flush with the vehicle body (10) in the rest position of the arm (31).

Images