Camera device and motor vehicle therewith

Abstract

A camera module for use in a vehicle includes a camera for capturing a surrounding of the vehicle, and which is configured to move from a retracted position to a deployed position, a camera lens forming a housing or part of the housing around the camera, a camera holder which carries the camera and the surrounding camera lens, and a drive system including a motor for moving the camera from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position.

Claims

1. A camera module for use in a vehicle, comprising: a camera for capturing a surrounding of the vehicle, and which is configured to move from a retracted position to a deployed position; a camera lens forming a housing or part of the housing around the camera; a camera holder which carries the camera and the surrounding camera lens; a camera cap which is configured to be flush with a vehicle surface in response to the camera being in the retracted position so that the camera is completely retracted beneath the vehicle surface; and a drive system comprising a motor for moving the camera from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position.

2. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising a camera lens cleaner which is fixed in an opening of the vehicle surface so that the camera lens is cleaned as the camera moves from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position.

3. The camera module of claim 1, wherein in response to dirt, debris, or obstruction being detected, the drive system actuates a blinking motion in which the camera module is moved to the retracted position and subsequently returned to the deployed position.

4. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera lens forms the housing or part of the housing around the camera and has a substantially cylindrical shape comprising a concave hemispherical dome or a semi-hemispherical surface at a top of the housing.

5. The camera module of claim 4, further comprising a substantially reflective material on the hemispherical dome or the semi-hemispherical surface having at least 50% reflectivity and forming a mangin mirror.

6. The camera module of claim 4, wherein a focal point of the camera is located at a focal point of the mangin mirror so that the camera captures a 360 degree view of the surrounding of the vehicle.

7. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the field of view of the camera is electronically cropped before being displayed in the vehicle to remove regions of a captured view.

8. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the drive system further comprises a pinion gear which is driven by the motor, and a jack-screw which is driven by the pinion gear and axially moves the camera from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position.

9. The camera module of claim 2, wherein the camera lens cleaner comprises at least one of a circular, square, triangular, or pentagonal shape and is formed of at least one of rubber or polymer material.

10. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the housing around the camera has a substantially cube shape, the camera lens forms one side of the housing around the camera, and the camera module further comprises opaque shields which form three sides of the housing around the camera.

11. The camera module of claim 10, further comprising a substantially reflective material on a top surface of the housing around the camera having at least 50% reflectivity.

12. A camera module for use in a vehicle, comprising: a camera for capturing an image surrounding the vehicle, and which is configured to move from a retracted position to a deployed position; a camera lens forming a housing around the camera; a camera holder which carries the camera and the surrounding camera lens; a camera lens cleaner which is fixed in an opening of the vehicle surface so that the camera lens is cleaned as the camera moves from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position; and a drive system comprising a motor for moving the camera from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position.

13. The camera module of claim 12, further comprising a camera cap which is configured to be flush with the vehicle surface in response to the camera being in the retracted position so that the camera is completely retracted beneath the vehicle surface.

14. The camera module of claim 12, wherein in response to dirt, debris, or obstruction being detected, the drive system actuates a blinking motion in which the camera module is moved to the retracted position and subsequently returned to the deployed position.

15. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the camera lens forms the housing or part of the housing around the camera and has a substantially cylindrical shape comprising a concave hemispherical dome or a semi-hemispherical surface at a top of the housing.

16. The camera module of claim 15, further comprising a substantially reflective material on the hemispherical dome or the semi-hemispherical surface having at least 50% reflectivity and forming a mangin mirror.

17. The camera module of claim 15, wherein a viewing field of the camera module corresponds to one or more of a viewing field of a main outer rearview mirror, a main outer sideview mirror, a main interior rearview mirror, a main interior sideview mirror, a wide-angle mirror, a ramp mirror, or a front mirror of a vehicle.

18. The camera module of claim 17, wherein the field of view of the camera is electronically cropped before being displayed in the vehicle to remove regions of a captured view.

19. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the drive system further comprises a pinion gear which is driven by the motor, and a jack-screw which is driven by the pinion gear and axially moves the camera from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position.

20. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the camera lens cleaner comprises at least one of a circular, square, triangular, or pentagonal shape and is formed of at least one of rubber or polymer material.

21. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the housing around the camera has a substantially cube shape, the camera lens forms one side of the housing around the camera, and the camera module further comprises opaque shields which form three sides of the housing around the camera.

22. The camera module of claim 21, further comprising a substantially reflective material on a top surface of the housing around the camera having at least 50% reflectivity.

23. The camera module of claim 1, wherein a viewing field of the camera module corresponds to one or more of a viewing field of a main outer rearview mirror, a main outer sideview mirror, a main interior rearview mirror, a main interior sideview mirror, a wide-angle mirror, a ramp mirror, or a front mirror of a vehicle.

24. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the housing around the camera comprises at least one of an opaque shield and a substantially reflective material on a surface.

25. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the housing around the camera comprises at least one of an opaque shield and a substantially reflective material on a surface.

26. A camera module for use in a vehicle, comprising: a camera for capturing a surrounding of the vehicle, and which is configured to move from a retracted position to a deployed position; a camera lens forming a housing or part of the housing around the camera; a camera holder which carries the camera and the surrounding camera lens; a camera cap which is configured to be flush with a vehicle surface in response to the camera being in the retracted position so that the camera is completely retracted beneath the vehicle surface; and a drive system comprising a motor for moving the camera from the retracted position to the deployed position or from the deployed position to the retracted position, wherein the housing around the camera comprises at least one of an opaque shield and a substantially reflective material on a surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain examples of the present description are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of system, apparatuses, and methods consistent with the present description and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example of a deployed side camera device

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of another example of a deployed side camera device; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example of the camera device of FIG. 1 in its retraced position within a vehicle body.

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of another example of a camera module.

(6) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the camera module of FIG. 4 in a deployed position in a vehicle.

(7) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the camera module of FIGS. 4 and 5 in a retracted position in a vehicle.

(8) FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of yet another example of a camera module.

(9) FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the camera module of FIG. 7 in a deployed position in a vehicle.

(10) Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

(12) The term “rear view” is here defined as a view of the surrounding area of the motor vehicle, which is not in the field of view of a driver, i.e. the directions opposing, left, right, below and above of the viewing direction, but can also comprise the view in the direction of the viewing direction of the driver and/or any combinations of the directions.

(13) FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a side of a vehicle body 1, 1′ with a camera device including a moveable camera module 20, 20′ in a deployed state. These two embodiments of the invention differ from each other with respect to the suspension of the camera module as well as with respect to an associated cleaning device.

(14) Camera modules may be integrated into side parts of a vehicle body, but also into doors or exterior rearview devices.

(15) In an example, the camera module 20 of FIG. 1 includes a camera module body 2, a sensor (not shown) for receiving electromagnetic radiation and being mounted within the camera module body 2, a camera aperture 3 within the camera module body 2 for letting electromagnetic radiation from the surrounding environment pass to reach the sensor. The camera aperture 3 is covered by a light window or another optical element 4 for guiding, filtering and/or otherwise altering the properties of the electromagnetic radiation before reaching the sensor. Properties to be altered can be the direction, the intensity the polarization, the spectral range and/or the frequency. The optical element 4 also serves for covering and/or sealing the camera aperture 3 against the outside environment. The optical element 4 preferably includes a lens.

(16) The camera module 20′ of FIG. 2 also includes a camera module body 2′, a sensor (not shown), a camera aperture 3′ and an optical element 4′.

(17) FIG. 3 shows the camera module body 2 of FIG. 1 retraced in the vehicle body 1 such that it is stowed within the vehicle body 1. In this position, the camera module 20, in particular the optical element 4, is protected against damage from the outside and against getting soiled. For an appealing appearance, the camera module body 2 may be let-in flush with the vehicle body 1.

(18) The camera module body 2′ of FIG. 2 can be stowed in an analogue manner to take its retracted position.

(19) For the camera module 20, 20′ to be able to function properly, the optical element 4, 4′ has to be clean, i.e. substantially free of debris, dirt, water droplets, snow ice and other matter covering the optical element 4, 4′ and, thus, hindering the electromagnetic radiation to reach the camera sensor and/or distorting its properties. To ensure that the optical element 4 is clean, different cleaning means can be used. The cleaning means may include a static cleaning means 5, 5′ and an active cleaning means 6, 6′.

(20) The static cleaning means 5, 5′ may be mounted on or in the vehicle body 1, 1′ in such a way that, when the camera module 20, 20′ changes between the retraced state and the deployed state, the optical element 4, 4′ comes at least partly in contact with the static cleaning means 5, 5′. With such a relative movement debris covering the optical element 4, 4′ is mechanically removed by wiping or the like.

(21) Exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a static wiper blade system as static cleaning means 5, 5′, which can be provided as part of an internal rubber housing. The internal rubber housing may also ensure a sealing between the vehicle body 1, 1′ and the camera module body 2, 2′ when the camera module 20, 20′ is in the retraced state, and can even seal at least partially the cavity provided within the vehicle body 1, 1′ for the camera module 20 20′, when the same is in the deployed state.

(22) The static cleaning means 5, 5′ may be selected from various forms and materials. For example, the static cleaning means 5, 5′ may include wipers, in particular with wiper arms, wiper blades, wiping cloth, wiping tissues, brushes, lips and combinations thereof. In addition, any fabric, rubber, elastomeric, fiber or sponge material may be used. At least one important feature, for example, is that the static cleaning means 5, 5′ will automatically effect a cleaning when the camera module body 2, 2′ changes between the retracted and the deployed state. This can happen as a result of a vehicle function being activated, for example locking or unlocking of doors, driving forwards or backwards, activating a display device of the vehicle and/or manual activation of a movement of the camera module body 2, 2′ by the driver. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is provided with a push bottom 7′ for such a manual activation.

(23) The active cleaning means 6, 6′ may also include various means for actively cleaning the optical element 4, 4′. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 a nozzle is shown, which directs a jet of cleaning fluid onto the optical element 4, 4′ for cleaning purposes. The cleaning fluid can be chosen from any suitable range of substances, for example water, ethanol, alcohol, clean water, distilled water, deionized water, ultrapure water and any combination of the aforementioned fluids and/or a cleaning detergent. The fluid jet may also include a gas jet, such as an air jet.

(24) In FIG. 1 the nozzle of the active cleaning means 6 is located on the camera module body 2 such that it can be activated when the optical element 4 needs to be cleaned, in both the retraced and the deployed state. Such a cleaning action can be automatically initiated via a not shown control circuit of the vehicle or manually by the driver of the vehicle. For example, the control circuit can activate a water jet to exit the nozzle when the standard washer jet system of a front windshield and/or of a head light of the vehicle is activated. An activation might also be triggered in regular time intervals and/or depending on output signals of a sensor measuring the degree of soiling of the optical element 4.

(25) In FIG. 2, the nozzle of the active cleaning means 6′ is located on the vehicle body 1′, or it can be located within the cavity of the camera module body 2′ (not shown). The depicted location of the nozzle is just an example and should not be regarded as limiting to this specific location. Any location in which a fluid jet from the nozzle of the active cleaning means 6′ can reach the optical element 4′ can be used.

(26) Locating the nozzle on the camera module body 2 has the advantage of an easy integration of the components into the camera module 20, whereas locating the nozzle on the vehicle body 1′ can change the appearance of the vehicle styling, but leaves the nozzle prone to damages from the outside. A nozzle located within the cavity of the camera module body can have the advantage that it is more easily integrated into the vehicle without the danger of receiving damage from the outside. But with such a configuration (not shown), depending on the mechanical realization of the camera deployment system, it could be possible that the cleaning of the optical element cannot not be performed when the camera module body is in the deployed state, such that the camera module body has to be retraced into the cavity for cleaning.

(27) On the one hand, if cleaning is to be performed during operation of the vehicle, it may be an advantage to allow cleaning when the camera module is in the deployed state. On the other hand, if the camera module needs to be cleaned, the information coming from the camera module might not reliable, such that the time needed for retracing, cleaning and redeploying is not critical. One additional advantage of moving the camera module from the deployed into the retracted state for cleaning is the interaction with the static cleaning means during such a movement, which results in an enhanced cleaning effect.

(28) One disadvantage of using only static cleaning means is that at some point of time they also have to be cleaned or replaced to fulfill a mechanical cleaning in a satisfactory manner. Due to the combination with active cleaning means, a cleaning of the static cleaning means can be automatically achieved. For example, the nozzle of the active cleaning means 6 of FIG. 1 can be used to spray a cleaning fluid onto the static cleaning means 5 while the camera module 20 is moving between the retraced and the deployed state.

(29) In addition or alternatively, the active cleaning means can be adapted to be movable such as to allow directing a cleaning fluid jet at different directions, therefore targeting also a static cleaning means. In FIG. 1, the nozzle of the active cleaning means 6 can be adapted to implement a rotation to direct the cleaning fluid jet on the static wiper blade 5.

(30) Depending on the location of the active cleaning means, additional active cleaning means can be employed. For example when the active cleaning means is located on the vehicle body, an additional active cleaning means can be situated inside the cavity of the camera module, such that it can also target the passive cleaning means.

(31) A movable active cleaning means can also be used to clean other devices or parts. For example, one can place a device or part in front of or adjacent to the camera module and activate a cleaning function for example by pushing a button such that the nozzle moves not to direct the cleaning fluid onto the optical element, but towards the region in front or adjacent of the camera module and, thus, onto the device or target. For example when a mobile phone or the hands of a vehicle user are dirty, they can be cleaned in such a manner.

(32) In another example, a human or animal may be soiling or damaging a vehicle, for example by scratching, urinating or the like. When the camera module is silently deployed, neither the human nor the animal will be aware and warned of its presence. As a countermeasure and to prevent damaging or soiling, the nozzle of an active cleaning means can then be directed at a human or animal as soon as the presence thereof is detected by a sensor (not shown) such that the cleaning detergent can be sprayed on the human or animal to scare them away.

(33) To minimize the noise which might occur when moving the camera module 20, 20′ of between the deployed state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the retracted state of FIG. 3, a low-noise actuator (not shown), which may include an electrical actuator, an electromagnetic actuator, a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator and/or a piezo actuator, can be used for such a movement. In another example or additionally, an active noise cancelation system can used to reduce the noise generated by actuators needed for the movement of the camera module 20, 20′.

(34) Noise cancellation systems typically include on the one hand microphones for analyzing the present noises, and on the other hand speakers for outputting acoustic sound waves to cancel or drown out the present noises.

(35) One additional advantage of having at least one microphone is the possibility of noise analyses, not restricted to the actuators. Such analysis may, for example, indicate the presence of damaged or exhausted parts. For example, having a tire with a nail or having a flat tire changes the noise of the vehicle in a characteristic way. Another example is the change of noise over time, indicating an exhausted part. When the lifetime of a motor, gear, actuator or other mechanically moving or mechanically stressed part is nearly reached, often the noise emitted by that part will change in a characteristic way leading to the perception of the future failure and giving a user the option to replace that part before breaking or catastrophic failure occurs.

(36) The camera device of the invention may also be provided with an additional element for providing information and/or warning. Such an additional element can include a display module such as display module 8′ shown in FIG. 2, and/or a light module (not shown). The display module 8′ can include information on the vehicle, for example the name or a logo of the manufacturer of the vehicle. It can be provided as a label, coating imprint or the like.

(37) Any light module presently used in rear view mirrors can be integrated into a camera device. In this respect, reference is made to the light modules listed in the introduction of this specification.

(38) The additional element can be arranged on the module body as shown in FIG. 2, such that it is only discernible in a deployed state.

(39) As the camera module 20, 20′ of the camera device functions similar as a pop up head light which can only be seen when in use, the information and/or warning message provided by the additional element attracts the attention due to this pop up effect even more.

(40) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of another example of a camera module. Referring to FIG. 4, a camera module includes a camera 50 and a camera holder 70. The camera 50 may be a commercially available automotive camera or may be custom made and integrated into the camera module. The camera holder 70 receives the camera 50 and mates with a camera lens 22 which is described in reference with FIG. 5.

(41) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the camera module of FIG. 4 in a deployed position in a vehicle.

(42) Referring to FIG. 5, the camera module is illustrated in a deployed position of a vehicle where the vehicle includes a sheet metal surface 30 and a hole is formed in the sheet metal surface 30 allowing the camera module to be mounted inside or beneath the outer surface of the vehicle formed by the sheet metal surface 30. As already described above, the camera module includes the camera 50 and the camera holder 70. The camera module also includes a camera cap 10 which may also be formed of the same sheet metal material as the sheet metal surface 30 of the vehicle. In a retracted state, as described in reference with FIG. 6, the camera cap 10 is flush with the sheet metal surface 30 so that the camera module is substantially undetectable.

(43) Still referring to FIG. 5, the camera module includes the camera lens 22 which, in this example, is a substantially cylindrical shaped part that is formed from a substantially transparent material. The camera lens 22 protects the camera 50 and provides a light path for the exterior field of view of the camera 50.

(44) Situated at the top of the cylinder shaped camera lens 22 is a concave hemispherical dome shaped feature made from transparent material. The inner surface of this hemispherical dome may be coated with a reflective surface 40 with a general reflectivity of at least about 50%. This reflective surface 40 may effectively form a mangin mirror 40 with a substantially hemispherical lens having an at least approximately 50% reflective surface coating on the inside of the camera lens 22. While an at least approximately 50% reflective surface is described, any level of reflectivity may be used. For example, a low level of reflectivity allows the camera 50 to see through the reflective coating and record any image reflected in a 360° panoramic view of the camera. In an example, the camera 50 is mounted at the focal point of both the camera 50 and the mangin mirror 40. This configuration allows the camera 50 to capture a full panoramic hemispherical view of the surrounding area. This configuration creates, in effect, an aperture camera. The camera 50 field of view may be electronically “cropped” to remove any view from above the horizon line not pertinent to the direct function of the camera 50.

(45) A camera lens cleaner 60 may also be provided and may be positioned at the opening of the vehicle sheet metal surface 30. In this way, each time the camera 50 is deployed or retracted, the camera lens 22 is automatically wiped clean. In an example, the camera lens cleaner 60 is formed from is a thin rubber-like blade made from a suitable material. Some example of materials include a rubber material, a polymer material, or a combination of suitable materials for wiping the camera lens 22.

(46) Connected to the camera 50 and extending through the camera holder 70 may be a standard cable connection 80 such as a standard coax cable as used for most commercial cameras. Further, a lift/retract mechanism or drive system includes an electrical motor 90, a pinion gear set 92, and a helix jack-screw 94 which drives the camera module. In this example, the drive system is a jack-screw lift/retract mechanism that allows the camera module to move linearly from the stowed or retracted position to the used, exposed, or deployed position. The electric motor 90 turns the pinion gear 92 that is axially connected to the jack-screw 94 by a threaded central hub. As the electric motor 90 spins, it drives the pinion gear 92. As the pinion gear 92 rotates it moves the jack-screw 94 up or down depending on the direction of rotation. This lifts or retracts the camera module to which it is attached; for example, it lifts or retracts a plate in the camera holder 70 to which the camera 50, the camera lens 22 and the camera cap 10 are attached. In an example, the jack-screw 94 may be split along its axis and a spring clip may be inserted in the void. This allow the jack-screw 94 threads to collapse and slip under manual load and allow for a manual over-ride of the lift/retract mechanism, as needed. The lift/retract mechanism is not limited to the example described. In various other aspect, the drive system could also be pneumatically, hydraulically or electro-mechanically driven to provide a similar actuation.

(47) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the camera module of FIGS. 4 and 5 in a retracted position in a vehicle.

(48) Referring to FIG. 6, the camera module of FIG. 5 is illustrated in the retracted position with the camera cap 10 being flush with the vehicle sheet metal surface 30. In this position, the camera lens 22 may be completely beneath the position of the camera lens cleaner 60 so that the lens cleaner 60 would clean the entire surface of the lens 22 when the camera 50 is deployed. As described above, the mangin mirror 40 allows the camera 50 to record any image reflected in a 360° panoramic view of the camera 50, and a driving mechanism including the electrical motor 90, the pinion gear 92, and the jack-screw 94 drives movement of the camera 50 within the camera holder 70. A cable 80 extends through the camera holder 70 at a similar position as already described and illustrated for the camera module in the deployed state and in reference with FIG. 6.

(49) FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of yet another example of a camera module. In this example, a cube-shaped surface of shields 102 and a lens 110 is provided around the camera. The lens 110 may be similar in transparency and material as the lens 22 described above in reference with the camera module of FIGS. 5 and 6; however, it may form only one side of a cube. The other three sides of the cube may be provided as opaque shields 102 which limit the field of view of the camera to a specific direction. The camera module of this example includes a reflective surface 120 such as a semi-hemispherical mirror to focus the reflected vehicle field of view into the camera aperture so that the camera may capture the reflected image. This is best illustrated in FIG. 8 and described below.

(50) FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic view of the camera module of FIG. 7 in a deployed position in a vehicle. The aspect of the camera system already described in the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, such as the drive system, the connection cable, the camera cap, the vehicle sheet metal surface, the camera and camera holder may be the same and are not described again. In this example, the camera module includes the cube-shaped surface of shields 102 and a lens 110 and the reflective surface 120, as already described in reference with FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the reflective surface 120 such as a semi-hemispherical mirror focuses the reflected vehicle field of view into the camera aperture so that the camera captures the reflected image.

(51) Still referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it should be appreciated that the camera module is not limited to any particular shape. While a cube-shaped surface formed by the shields 102 and lens 110 is described as an example, any other shaped camera module using one or more opaque shields 102 and a reflective surface 120 may be used. For example, the housing of the camera module of FIGS. 7 and 8 may have a cylindrical shape, a triangular shape, a pentagonal shape, among other shapes. In such examples, instead of three sides of the housing being shields 102 and one side being a lens 102, the outer surface of the housing may be at least 30% opaque, at least 35% opaque, at least 40% opaque, at least 45% opaque, at least 50% opaque, at least 55% opaque, at least 65% opaque, at least 70% opaque, at least 75% opaque, at least 80% opaque, at least 85% opaque, or at least 90% opaque. In addition, while a semi-hemispherical mirror is described in the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, the reflective surface may be a hemispherical dome as described above in reference with FIGS. 4-6, i.e. the housing may have opaque surfaces with a reflective surface having the shape of a hemispherical dome. Accordingly, the mangin mirror 40 and all characteristics described above in reference to the manging mirror 40, may be used with this embodiment.

(52) In the above example camera modules, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, including each of the embodiments of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7, a viewing field of the camera module may correspond to any one or more of a viewing field of a main outer rearview mirror or sideview mirror, a main interior rearview or sideview mirror, a wide-angle mirror, a ramp mirror, or a front mirror of a vehicle.

(53) According to various aspects of the described camera modules, because the actual camera lens is not exposed to the outside environment and the housing lens is cleaned automatically once the camera module is retracted, a clean and clear image can be captured by the camera. In an example, the camera modules may be programmed so that, once a soiled lens is detected by a sensor, a “blinking” operation is initiated by quickly retracting the camera module and then deploying it to the use position. This would clean the lens of any dirt, debris, or obstructions.

(54) In addition, because the actual camera of the described camera modules is not exposed to the outside environment, a measure of protection to the camera is provided as the unit fully retracts into the vehicle when not in use. This configuration also provides for an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the vehicle is parked and reduces the opportunity for random vandalism or theft of the camera system by making the camera systems inconspicuous when the vehicle is not being driven.

(55) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE LIST

(56) 1 vehicle body 1′ vehicle body 2 camera module body 2′ camera module body 3 camera aperture 3′ camera aperture 4 optical element 4′ optical element 5 static wiper blade 7′ push bottom 8′ display module 10 camera cap 20 camera module 20′ camera module 22 camera lens 30 sheet metal surface 40 reflective surface 50 camera 60 camera lens cleaner 70 camera holder 80 standard cable connection 90 electrical motor 92 pinion gear set 94 helix jack-screw 102 shields 110 lens 120 reflective surface