REAR VIEW DEVICE AND VEHICLE WITH SUCH A REAR VIEW DEVICE

Abstract

A rearview device for a vehicle includes at least one sensor for detecting information of the environment of the vehicle, where the rearview device is attachable to the supporting structure of the vehicle by using at least one first fastening device and the rearview device includes at least one arm which is rotatably mounted by the first fastening device about at least one first axis of rotation which has at least one vertical component about at least one first pivot point for a first rotation.

Claims

1. A rearview device for a vehicle comprising: a fastening device configured to attach to the vehicle; an arm coupled to the fastening device, the arm comprising: a first axial member; a second axial member; and an elongated portion extending perpendicularly from the fastening device when the arm is in an operational position, the elongated portion configured to rotate about the first axial member to transition from the operational position to a first position, the elongated portion further configured to rotate about the second axial member to transition from the operational position to a second position; a first spring element by which the arm can transition between the operating position and the first position; and a second spring element by which the arm can transition between the operating position and the second position.

2. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the first position is an avoidance position.

3. The rearview device of claim 2, wherein the second position is a parking position.

4. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the first axial member is attached to the second axial member.

5. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein a first rotation axis extends through the first axial member and a second rotation axis extends through the second axial member, the first rotation axis being substantially parallel to the second rotation axis.

6. The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor attached to a distal end of the elongated portion of the arm.

7. The rearview device of claim 6, wherein the sensor is a camera.

8. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the rearview device is configured to provide a rear view of the vehicle when the elongated portion of the arm is in the operational position, the rearview device further configured to provide a second field of view when the elongated portion of the arm is in the second position, the second field of view different from the rear view of the vehicle.

9. The rearview device of claim 8, wherein the second field of view is a lower side area of the vehicle.

10. The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator, wherein the arm is configured to transition from the first position to the operational position or from the second position to the operational position when the actuator is activated.

11. A method of operating a rearview device comprising: fastening an arm to a vehicle; rotating the arm about a first axial member, the first axial member including a first spring element, the rotation causing the arm to transition from an operational position to a first position; and rotating the arm about a second axial member, the second axial member including a second spring element, the rotation causing the arm to transition from the operational position to a second position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first position is an avoidance position.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second position is a parking position.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first axial member is attached to the second axial member.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein a sensor is attached to a distal end of the arm.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensor is a camera.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a first field of view when the arm is in the operational position and a second field of view when the arm is in the second position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first field of view is a rear view of the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second field of view is a lower side area of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: rotating the arm from the first position to the operational position; and rotating the arm from the second position to the operational position; wherein the rotation from the first position to the operational position and the rotation from the second position to the operational position are caused by an activation of an actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to figures, wherein:

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rearview device according to the invention in a first embodiment;

[0051] FIG. 2 is a top view from direction A in FIG. 1 of the rearview device of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 3 is a top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 1 and 2 from direction B in FIG. 2;

[0053] FIG. 4 is a top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 1 to 3 from direction C in FIG. 2;

[0054] FIG. 5 is another top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 1 to 4 from direction C in FIG. 2 in an avoidance position;

[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of a rearview device according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 7 is a top view from direction A′ in FIG. 6 of the rearview device of FIG. 6;

[0057] FIG. 8 is a top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 6 and 7 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 in an operating position;

[0058] FIG. 9 is a top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 6 to 8 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 in a parking position;

[0059] FIG. 10 is a top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 6 to 9 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 in a avoidance position; and

[0060] FIG. 11 is a top view of the rearview device of FIGS. 6 to 10 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 with the operating, parking and avoidance positions shown simultaneously; and

[0061] FIG. 12 is a top view of a rearview device according to the invention in a third embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rearview device of FIG. 12 from direction D in FIG. 12;

[0063] FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of a rearview device according to the invention in a fourth embodiment;

[0064] FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of the rearview device of FIG. 14 from direction E in FIG. 14;

[0065] FIG. 16a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pivot bearing of the rearview device of FIG. 15 from direction F in FIG. 15;

[0066] FIG. 16b is a detailed view of the pivot bearing of FIG. 16a;

[0067] FIG. 17a is a locking ring inserted in the rearview device of FIGS. 14 to 16b; and

[0068] FIG. 17b is a schematic top view of a spring ring inserted in the rearview device of FIGS. 14 to 16b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rearview device 1 of a first embodiment. According to the invention, the rearview device 1 comprises an arm 3 and can be connected to a support structure of a vehicle by means of a first fastening device 5, which comprises a fastening plate 7. For this purpose, attachment points 9, with which the fastening plate 7 can be fastened to a supporting structure, for example by means of screws, are provided in particular in the fastening plate 7.

[0070] The fastening plate 7 further comprises bearing elements 11 by which a first axis of rotation D1 is fixed. As will be explained later, the bearing elements 11 define a first pivot point that allows the arm 3 to rotate about the pivot axis D1.

[0071] The axis of rotation D1 is essentially vertical, which means in particular perpendicular to a main direction of travel F, as indicated in particular by an arrow in FIG. 3.

[0072] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, sensors 13 and 15 are arranged in the area of the arm 3. The sensors 13 and 15 are each implemented as cameras or similar sensors for detecting parameters of the environment of the rearview device and make it possible to monitor the side area of the vehicle 17, which is indicated in FIG. 4.

[0073] In FIGS. 1 to 4, the rearview device 1 is shown in an operating position N. In this operating position N, the arm 3 is held by means of a retaining latch 19, which is shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3. This holding in the operating position N is supported by means of a tension spring 21, which is a second spring element. This second spring element forces the arm 3 into the operating position N and holds it in this position in cooperation with the retaining latch 19.

[0074] As will be explained below, rotation about the axis of rotation D1 enables the rearview device 1 to be transferred to an avoidance position Q. As will also be explained, the rotation around a rotation axis D2 enables the rearview device 1 to be transferred to a parking position (not shown).

[0075] Either by means of an actuator not shown, in particular an electric, electromagnetic, magnetic actuator and/or an actuator comprising at least one shape memory alloy element, or manually by a user of the vehicle, the rearview device 1 can be returned from both the parking position and the avoidance position Q to the operating position N shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0076] The use of the arm 3 in the rearview device 1 offers the advantage that the cameras 13, 15 can be arranged at a certain distance from the support structure of the vehicle 17. This makes it possible that an improved angle in the area above the cameras 13, 15 can be covered compared to previously known camera-assisted rearview devices. Furthermore, this prevents, or at least reduces, the formation of blind spot areas and makes it possible to cover the entire surrounding area of the vehicle even using a small number of sensors or cameras.

[0077] In the parking position, the arm can now be “folded” against the vehicle 17, in particular the support structure of the vehicle, thus reducing the width of the vehicle, especially when parking or backing out. In doing so, however, the cameras 13 can still be used to monitor the surrounding area of the vehicle. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the sensors 13, 15 are connected to the arm 3 via second fastening devices not shown. These second fastening devices make it possible for the sensors 13, 15 to be fastened essentially at any position of the arm 3, so as to enable the best possible detection of the surrounding area of the vehicle.

[0078] In particularly preferred embodiments, it is provided that the second fastening device allows the position of the sensors 13, 15 or their orientation to be changed. For example, during a parking process in which the arm 3 or the rearview device 1 is in the parking position, the orientation or position of the sensor 15 can be changed in such a way that a lower side area of the vehicle is detected in order to avoid a collision with obstacles located there. In this way, it can be prevented that a driver overlooks obstacles when parking or backing out.

[0079] Furthermore, in order to comply with safety regulations, it is necessary for the rearview device 1 to allow the arm 3 to deflect not only in the direction of the parking position but also in an opposite position in the event of contact of the vehicle with an obstacle, in particular in the deflecting position Q. For this purpose, the rearview device 1, in particular the first fastening device 5, comprises an intermediate bearing 23. The intermediate bearing 23 comprises a lifting element 25 which engages on a first side with the bearing elements 11 or in the first pivot point and is thus supported about the first axis of rotation D1. The arm 3 is then attached to the intermediate bearing 23 or the lever 25 via a second pivot point, which allows rotation about the second axis of rotation D2. In this way, a rotation of the arm 3 both about the first axis of rotation D1, and thus between the operating position N and the avoidance position Q, and about the second axis of rotation D2, and thus between the parking position and the operating position N, can be realized in a very small installation space.

[0080] If the arm 3 comes into contact with an object that is moving past the vehicle, in particular relative to the vehicle in the main direction of travel F, the arm 3 can execute a rotation about the first axis of rotation D1 via the first pivot point and in this way be transferred to an avoidance position Q. The arm 3 can be fixed in this avoidance position Q via a first spring element 24. In this evasive position Q, the arm 3 can be fixed via a first spring element that is not shown. After this deflection of the arm 3, the arm 3 can be manually transferred by a user back to the operating position N shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. If, on the other hand, the arm 3 is in the parking position, it can be fixed in this parking position via a fourth spring element 26.

[0081] The rearview device according to the invention thus makes it possible for it to be attached to vehicles of common types, in particular in exchange for previously used mirror-based rearview devices. The only prerequisite is that a first fastening device is present on the vehicle, which has corresponding bearing elements 11. These enable the arm 3 together with the corresponding spring elements to be attached to the vehicle. At the same time, the rearview device according to the invention offers the possibility of being able to better monitor the bypass area of the vehicle compared to previously known camera-based rearview devices due to the increased distance of the respective sensors from the supporting structure of the vehicle. At the same time, however, the safety aspects are not compromised in that the rearview device allows the arm to swerve into the appropriate avoidance or parking position.

[0082] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a rearview device 1′ according to the invention in a second embodiment. Elements of the second embodiment of the rearview device 1′ which functionally correspond to the greatest possible extent to those of the first embodiment of the rearview device 1 are provided with the same, but simply deleted reference signs. Since the functionality of the second embodiment of the rearview device 1′ is largely corresponding to that of the rearview device 1 of the first embodiment, only the figures of the second embodiment are briefly presented below. With regard to the further explanations, the explanations given for FIGS. 1 to 5 also apply to this embodiment.

[0083] Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows a top view from direction A′ in FIG. 6 of the rearview device of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 shows a top view from direction C′ in FIG. 7 of the rearview device of FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0084] In FIGS. 6 and 7 as well as in FIG. 8, the rearview device 1′ is shown in an operating position N′, in which an arm 3′ is held by means of a retaining latch 19′, supported by a tension spring 21′ acting as a second spring element. It is obvious that in comparison to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, at least as long as the arm 3′ is in the operating position N′, the retaining latch 19′ is now arranged between the two axes of rotation D1′ and D2′.

[0085] In FIG. 9, a top view of the rearview device 1′ of FIGS. 6 to 8 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 is shown in a parking position P′. In order to transfer the rearview device 1′ from the operating position N′ to this parking position P′, the arm 3′ is rotated about the axis of rotation D2′, which is to be illustrated by an arrow S1′, whereby a folding of the rearview device 1′ is achieved.

[0086] In FIG. 10, a top view of the rearview device 1′ of FIGS. 6 to 9 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 is shown in an alternative position Q′. In order to transfer the rearview device 1′ from the operating position N′ to this avoidance position Q′, the arm 3′ is rotated about the axis of rotation D1′, which is to be illustrated by an arrow S2′, whereby a folding down of the rearview device 1′ is achieved.

[0087] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the rearview device 1′ of FIGS. 6 to 10 from direction C′ in FIG. 7 with the operating, parking and avoidance positions N′, P′, Q′ of the rearview device 1′ shown simultaneously. It goes without saying that the rearview device 1′ can only be in one of these three positions at a point in time under consideration. In this respect, the representation chosen in FIG. 11 serves only to illustrate the individual positions and to show them comparatively.

[0088] FIG. 12 shows a schematic top view of a third embodiment of a rearview device 101 according to the invention. Those elements of the rearview device 101 which correspond to those of the rearview device 1 bear the same reference signs, but increased by 100.

[0089] Compared to the rearview device 1, an alternative embodiment was chosen to fix the arm 103 in the respective parking position, avoidance position or operating position. In particular, a compression spring, such as compression spring 21, was not used to fix or hold arm 103 in the operating position as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0090] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 13, a first pivot bearing 131 is arranged in the area of the axis of rotation D1. A second pivot bearing 133 is arranged in the area of the second axis of rotation D2.

[0091] The respective pivot bearings 131 and 133 have respective first and second bearing elements. A first bearing element 135 of the first pivot bearing 131 is connected to the first pivot axis D1 in such a way that rotation of the first bearing element 135 about the pivot axis D1 is not possible. Furthermore, the first pivot bearing 131 has a second bearing element 137. This second bearing element 137 is in particular connected to the lever 125 of the intermediate bearing 123, is in particular formed integrally therewith or is fixed therein.

[0092] In contrast, in the second pivot bearing 133, a first bearing element 139, which is connected to the lever 125, in particular is formed integrally therewith, is fixed with respect to the axis of rotation D2, while a second bearing element 141 of the second pivot bearing 133 is formed integrally with the arm 103 and is thus mounted rotatably about the second axis of rotation D2.

[0093] Both the first pivot bearing 131 and the second pivot bearing 133 have respective adjustment devices in the form of locking devices 143 and 145. The respective locking devices 143 and 145 have a first engagement element 147 and 149, respectively. Both engagement elements 147 and 149 are formed as locking pins, which are preloaded by preloading elements in the form of springs 151 and 153, respectively. The springs 151 and 153 can also be formed in one piece.

[0094] In addition, the engagement elements 147, 149 are mounted for movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of rotation D1 and D2, and in particular can be deflected from the position shown in FIG. 13 against the force of the spring 151, 153.

[0095] In the position shown in FIG. 13, the locking pin 147 engages a second engagement element in the form of a recess 155a formed on the linkage of the bearing element 135. As can be seen from FIG. 13, when the lever 125 is rotated about the first axis of rotation D1, the locking pin 147 is guided so that it is deflected from the position shown in FIG. 13 against the force of the spring 151 and thus disengages from the recess 155a. This then allows the lever 125 to continue to move counterclockwise about the axis of rotation D1 in FIG. 13 until the locking pin 147 engages the recess 155b, forcing the locking pin 147 into the recess 155b due to the force of the spring element 151. In this position, the position of the lever 125 relative to the first axis of rotation D1 is thus fixed.

[0096] Similarly, the second pivot bearing 133 has recesses 157a, 157b formed on the bearing element 141. If the arm 103 is deflected relative to the lever 125 in such a way that it is rotated about the axis of rotation D2, a force must first be applied to deflect the locking pin 149 against the force of the spring 153 from the position shown in FIG. 13. Once the engagement between the indexing pin 149 and the recess 157a is disengaged, the arm 103 can be rotated further about the axis of rotation D2 until the indexing pin 149 engages the recess 157b. In this position, the arm 103 is correspondingly fixed via the adjustment device comprising the locking bolt 149.

[0097] Compared to the rearview device 1, a spring element such as the compression spring 21 for fixing the arm 3 can thus be dispensed with. The corresponding fixing is effected via the corresponding locking device 143, 145. The advantage is that the movement of the lever 125 or the movement of the arm 103 after leaving the respective locking position in which the respective locking pin engages in the respective recess is possible without additional force. Furthermore, the construction volume is reduced and it is possible to integrate the locking device 143, 145 into the intermediate bearing 123, where it is correspondingly better protected against external influences.

[0098] In FIGS. 14 to 17b, a fourth embodiment of a rearview device 201 according to the invention is shown. Those elements of the rearview device 201 which correspond to those of the rearview device 1 and 101, respectively, bear the same reference signs, but increased by 200 and 100, respectively.

[0099] The rearview device 201 also includes a first pivot bearing 231, by means of which a lever 225 of an intermediate bearing 223 is mounted on the mounting device 205 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation D1 via a bearing element 211. In addition, rotation of an arm 203 relative to the lever 225 about a second axis of rotation D2 is possible by means of a second pivot bearing 233.

[0100] The first pivot bearing 231 includes a first bearing element 235 connected to the fastening plate 207. The first bearing element 235 is bifurcated, such that a second bearing element 237 is disposed between the bifurcated arms of the first bearing element 235. Similarly, the second pivot bearing 233 includes a first bifurcated bearing element 239 and a second bearing element 241 disposed between the forks of the bearing element 239.

[0101] In contrast to the rearview device 101, in the rearview device 201 corresponding locking devices 243 and 245 are designed in such a way that a movement of corresponding engagement elements takes place parallel to the respective axes of rotation D1 and D2. For this purpose, tubular rivets 259 and 261 are arranged in the region of the respective pivot bearings 231, 233. The tubular rivets 259 and 261 form the corresponding axes of rotation for the corresponding bearing elements.

[0102] The operation of the second pivot bearing 233 is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 16a to 17b, where the first pivot bearing 231 has an analogous structure.

[0103] As can be seen in FIG. 16a, the tubular rivet 261 passes through the bearing elements 239 as well as the bearing element 241. Furthermore, a spring ring 263 shown in more detail in FIG. 17b is arranged between the bearing elements 239 on the tubular rivet 261. The spring ring 263 causes a locking ring 265 shown in more detail in FIG. 17a to be forced in the direction of the bearing element 241 along the axis of rotation D2.

[0104] If rotation of the arm 203 relative to the lever 225 now occurs, the following happens. As can be seen from FIG. 17a, the locking ring 265 has protrusions 267. In the position shown in FIG. 16a, the protrusions 267 engage corresponding recesses 269 formed in the bearing element 241. The rotation deflects the locking ring 265 against the spring force built up via spring elements 271 of the spring ring 263 in such a way that the locking ring 265 lifts off the bearing element 241 in the area outside the protrusion 267. Further rotation of the arm 203 about the lever 225 rotates the bearing element 241 about the axis of rotation D2 to such an extent that the protrusions 267 come into overlap with further depressions 269. In this position, the spring elements 271 cause the locking ring 265 to be forced in the direction of the bearing element 241, causing the protrusion 267 to engage the recess 269 so that the arm 203 is fixed or secured relative to the lever 225.

[0105] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 16b, the bearing element 241 is mounted eccentrically on the axis of rotation D2. This makes it possible to arrange the depressions 269 on the second bearing element 241 in such a way that, in the respective position, the four protrusion 267 come into overlap with four depressions 269, but the same depressions 269 are not necessarily engaged by the protrusions 267 during a rotation of 90 degrees. Thus, the depressions 269 can be distributed asymmetrically over the slotted link of the bearing element 241 and thus different locking positions of the arm 203 can be realized at any angles, for example an operating position, a parking position and an avoidance position, each of which can be secured with up to four engagements of the protrusions in respective depressions.

[0106] The fourth embodiment makes it possible in particular to improve the latching in the respective positions and to optimize the installation space. Also, latching and retaining forces can be better matched. In this case, two independent latching devices act on the respective pivot bearings, and the plurality of latching elements means that high locking safeties can be achieved.

[0107] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the figures and in the claims may be essential to the invention in its various embodiments, either individually or in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0108] 1, 1′, 101, 201 Rearview device [0109] 3, 3′, 103, 203 Arm [0110] 5′, 105, 205 Fastening device [0111] 7, 7′, 107, 207 Fastening plate [0112] 9, 9′, 109, 209 Attachment point [0113] 11, 11′, 111, 211 Bearing element [0114] 13 Sensor [0115] 15 Sensor [0116] 17 Vehicle [0117] 19, 19′ Retaining latch [0118] 21, 21′ Tension spring [0119] 23, 23′, 123, 233 intermediate bearing [0120] 25, 25′, 125, 225 Lever [0121] 131, 231 Pivot bearing [0122] 133, 233 Pivot bearing [0123] 135, 235 Bearing element [0124] 137, 237 Bearing element [0125] 139, 239 Bearing element [0126] 141, 241 Bearing element [0127] 143, 243 Locking device [0128] 145, 245 Locking device [0129] 147 Engagement element [0130] 149 Engagement element [0131] 151 Spring [0132] 153 Spring [0133] 155a, 155b Recess [0134] 157a, 157b Recess [0135] 259 Tubular rivet [0136] 261 Tubular rivet [0137] 263 Spring ring [0138] 265 Locking ring [0139] 267 Protrusion [0140] 269 Recess [0141] 271 Spring element [0142] A, A′ Direction [0143] B, Direction [0144] C, C′ Direction [0145] D Direction [0146] E Direction [0147] F Direction [0148] D1, D1′ Rotation axis [0149] D2, D2′ Rotation axis [0150] F, F′ Main direction of travel [0151] P′ Parking position [0152] Q, Q′ Alternative position [0153] N, N′ Operating position [0154] S1′, S2′ Direction of rotation