CAMERA ASSEMBLY FOR AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE CAB

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera assembly (50) for an industrial vehicle cab (5) comprising a side door (15) and a step, the camera assembly (50) being designed to be mounted on the cab (5) above the door (15) and comprising:a supporting arm (51) provided, at a first end thereof, with a mounting device for mounting on the cab (5);a camera arranged on said supporting arm (51), for providing an image of an area located rearwards and/or sidewards, in the operative position;a lighting system (30) including at least one light source, the lighting system (30) being mounted on the supporting arm (51) or housed therein and being arranged to provide a light beam (31) directed downwards for illuminating the step, in the operative position.

Claims

1. A camera assembly for an industrial vehicle cab comprising a side door and a step, the camera assembly being designed to be mounted on the cab above the door and comprising: a supporting arm provided, at a first end thereof, with a mounting device for mounting on the cab; a camera arranged on said supporting arm, for providing an image of an area located rearwards and/or sidewards, in the operative position; characterized in that it further comprises a lighting system including at least one light source, the lighting system being mounted on the supporting arm or housed therein and being arranged to provide a light beam directed downwards for illuminating the step, in the operative position.

2. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supporting arm comprises a lower wall, the lighting system being configured to provide a light beam from or through said lower wall.

3. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supporting arm comprises a lower wall, a housing which receives the lighting system and which opens in said lower wall and a transparent or translucent cover for closing the housing and allowing the light beam emitted by the lighting system to pass through said cover.

4. The camera assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cover is substantially level with the outer face of the supporting arm lower wall.

5. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supporting arm comprises a first portion designed to be mounted on the cab and a second portion which is mounted on the first portion so as to be able to pivot relative to the first portion between an operative position and a parking position.

6. The camera assembly according to claim 5, wherein the lighting system is mounted on or housed in the supporting arm first portion.

7. The camera assembly according to claim 5, wherein the lighting system is mounted on or housed in the supporting arm second portion.

8. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lighting system is designed to provide a light beam which substantially forms an angular sector, in a plane which is substantially vertical and longitudinal in the operative position, said angular sector having an angle ranging from 15 to 60.

9. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lighting system is designed to provide a light beam which substantially forms an angular sector, in a plane which is substantially vertical and transverse in the operative position, said angular sector having an angle ranging from 5 to 40.

10. An industrial vehicle cab defining a driver compartment and having a front wall and two side walls, the cab comprising a side door for entering the driver compartment and a step arranged on a side wall for allowing the driver to climb up to/get down from the driver compartment, characterized in that it further comprises a camera assembly according to claim 1, the supporting arm of the camera assembly being mounted on the cab above the door and protruding outwardly from one cab side wall, so that the lighting system is arranged to provide a light beam towards at least part of the step and towards an area of the ground at the bottom of the step.

11. The cab according to claim 10, wherein the cab is devoid of side exterior mirrors.

12. The cab according to claim 10, wherein the cab comprises a control unit connected to the lighting system and capable of varying the light intensity of the light source(s), for example according to a signal received from an ambient luminosity sensor provided on the cab.

13. The cab according to claim 10, wherein the lighting system is designed to provide a light beam which, in a longitudinal vertical plane, is defined between: a front line extending downwards and forward from the lighting system and forming an angle 1 with the vertical direction, 1 ranging from 5 to 25; a rear line extending downwards and rearward from the lighting system and forming an angle 2 with the vertical direction, 2 ranging from 5 to 35.

14. The cab according to claim 10, wherein the lighting system is designed to provide a light beam which, in a transverse vertical plane, is defined between: an outer line extending outwardly and forming an angle 1 with the vertical direction, 1 ranging from 0 to 30; an inner line extending inwardly and forming an angle 2 with the vertical direction, 2 ranging from 5 to 10.

15. (canceled)

16. A process for controlling a camera assembly of a vehicle with a vehicle engine, a door, and a light source comprising: from a parking state in which the vehicle engine is stopped and the door is locked, automatically switching the light source on upon receipt of a remote vehicle door unlocking command.

17. The process according to claim 16, wherein the camera assembly comprises a supporting arm with a first portion designed to be mounted on the cab and a second portion, which is mounted on the first portion so as to be able to pivot relative to the first portion between an operative position and a parking position and the lighting system is mounted on or housed in the supporting arm second portion, and wherein the process comprises automatically pivoting the supporting arm second portion relative to the supporting arm first portion, to the operative position, before the light source is switched on, upon receipt of the remote vehicle door unlocking command.

18. The process according to claim 16, wherein the light source is kept on until the vehicle engine is turned on and, preferably, until a parking brake of the vehicle is released.

19. The process according to claim 16 wherein the light source is kept on until a parking brake of the vehicle is released.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0041] In the drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an industrial vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprising camera assemblies;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a lighting system;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic detailed view of the camera assembly of FIG. 2, showing the lighting system and further showing its connection to a control unit;

[0045] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of two different industrial vehicles according to the invention, showing the areas illuminated by means of the lighting systems;

[0046] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle cab in a horizontal plane, showing the area illuminated by the lighting system;

[0047] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the vehicle cab, showing the light beam provided by the lighting system;

[0048] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the process allowing a user to control such a camera assembly of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1, more specifically an industrial vehicle. Although the invention will be described with respect to a truck, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles, such as a bus.

[0050] The vehicle 1 comprises a frame 2 supported by front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4 as well as a cab 5. The vehicle 1 can further comprise a cargo body 19 supported by wheels 20. Z is defined as the vertical direction, X is defined as the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, and Y is defined as the transversal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0051] The cab 5 has a front wall 6 on which are located a windshield 13 and headlamps 14. The cab further has two side walls 7 and a roof 20. It defines a driver compartment 8 having a floor 9, and comprises an opening 10 for entering the driver compartment 8, as shown on FIG. 7. As the floor 9 is located fairly high above the ground, the cab 5 comprises a step 11 arranged on a side wall 7 for allowing the driver to-climb up to/get down from the driver compartment 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the step 11 includes three levels 12, but this should not be considered as limitative. The step 11 can be located below the opening 10, forward of the front wheels 3.

[0052] The cab 5 comprises a side door 15 which has a substantially vertical hinge axis 16. 35 Thus, the door 15 can pivot between a close position, in which it closes the opening 10 (FIG. 1), and an open position (FIG. 7), for allowing a person to enter the driver compartment 8. The door 15 can comprise a main portion 17 for closing said opening 10 and a bottom portion 18 for covering an upper part of the step 11, such as the part of the step 11 extending down to the upper level 12.

[0053] Furthermore, a camera assembly 50 is mounted on the cab 5 above the door 15. Basically, the camera assembly 50 comprises a supporting arm 51 and a camera 52 arranged on said supporting arm 51, for providing an image of an area located rearwards and/or sidewards. Such a camera assembly 50 can typically be part of a so-called camera monitor system (CMS) which further includes a monitor (not shown) inside the driver's compartment 8 for displaying the image provided by the camera 52. Thus, the vehicle 1 according to the invention can be devoid of side exterior mirrors, and possibly also devoid of an interior mirror.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, a camera assembly 50 is mounted on each side wall 7 of the cab 5. Preferably, a camera assembly 50 can be mounted in an upper front area of each side wall 7. However, this should not be considered as limitative; for example, the camera assembly 50 could be mounted on the roof 20 of the cab 5.

[0055] The supporting arm 51 has a first end 53 fastened to the cab 5, by means of a mounting device 54. The supporting arm 51 can have a mounting end face 55 configured to cooperate with a cab side wall 7, i.e. for example substantially parallel to (X,Z) in the operative position. Furthermore, the supporting arm 51 protrudes outwardly from the cab side wall 7, up to its second end 56. The camera 52 can be arranged near the supporting arm second end 56.

[0056] In an embodiment, as shown on FIG. 2, the supporting arm 51 can comprise a first portion 57 mounted on the cab 5 and a second portion 58 which is mounted on the first portion 57 so as to be able to pivot relative to the first portion 57 between an operative position, i.e. a protruding position allowing the camera 52 to capture images, and a parking position, in which the supporting arm 51 is folded along the cab side wall 7, to prevent damages.

[0057] Preferably, the supporting arm 51, especially the shape of its front face, is designed to form a wind deflector and not to significantly impair aerodynamics. Besides, the supporting arm 51 comprises a lower wall 59 turned substantially downwards.

[0058] The cab 5 further comprises a lighting system 30 for illuminating the step 11.

[0059] According to the invention, said lighting system 30 is mounted on the supporting arm 51 of the camera assembly 50, or housed therein. Arranging the lighting system 30 on/in an existing component of the cab 5 contributes to providing a cost efficient solution. The lighting system 30 is configured to provide a light beam 31 directed downwards, towards at least an area 41 of the step 11 and towards an area 42 of the ground at the bottom of the step 11 (see FIG. 6). It can further be configured to provide the light beam 31 from or through the lower wall 59 of the supporting arm 51. For that purpose, the supporting arm 51 has to sufficiently protrude outwards from the cab side wall 7 to allow the lighting system 30 to provide a proper illumination of the areas 41 and 42.

[0060] The lighting system 30 can be mounted on or housed in the supporting arm first portion 57, or second portion 58. Although FIG. 2 shows a camera assembly 50 provided with a lighting system 30 in both portions 57, 58, only one lighting system 30 can be provided.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the supporting arm 51 can comprise a housing 60 which receives the lighting system 30 and which opens in the lower wall 59. A transparent or translucent cover 61 allows closing the housing 60 and the light beam 31 emitted by the lighting system 30 to pass through said cover 61. In an embodiment, the cover 61 is substantially level with the outer face of the supporting arm lower wall 59.

[0062] Typically, the lighting system 30 can comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) 32 on which at least one light source 33 is mounted, a connector 34 for connecting the PCB 32 to a vehicle electrical control unit (ECU) 62 by wires housed in the supporting arm 51. The lighting system 30 may further comprise a light deflector (not shown) which is arranged on the path of the beam 31 emitted by the light source(s) 33, and which is designed to deviate the light so as to ultimately provide a beam capable of illuminating the desired area. According to an embodiment, the lighting system comprises several light sources 33. The vehicle electrical control unit (ECU) 62 can be capable of varying the light intensity of the light source(s) 33, for example according to a signal received from an ambient luminosity sensor 63 provided on the cab 5.

[0063] As the camera assembly 50 protrudes outwardly from the cab side wall 7, arranging the lighting system 30 on or in the camera assembly 50 allows providing a particularly efficient lighting of the step and ground area at the bottom of the step.

[0064] Besides, in order to provide a light beam 31 capable of efficiently illuminating the required area, the lighting system 30 can be designed as explained below. In practice, this can be achieved by an appropriate design of a light deflector.

[0065] On the one hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the light beam 31 can form an angular sector, in a longitudinal vertical plane (X, Z), defined between:

[0066] a front line 35 extending downwards and forward from the lighting system 30 and forming an angle al with the vertical direction Z, 1 ranging from 5 to 25;

[0067] a rear line 36 extending downwards and rearward from the lighting system 30 and forming an angle 2 with the vertical direction Z, 2 ranging from 5 to 35.

[0068] In other words, the light beam 31 can form an angular sector, in a plane which is substantially vertical and longitudinal, i.e. parallel to the cab side wall 7, the angular sector having an angle ranging from 15 to 60.

[0069] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in a transverse vertical plane (Y,Z), the light beam 31 can be defined between:

[0070] an outer line 37 extending outwardly and forming an angle 1 with the vertical direction Z, 1 ranging from 0 to 30;

[0071] an inner line 38 extending inwardly and forming an angle 2 with the vertical direction Z, 2 ranging from 5 to 10.

[0072] The term inner refers to a part located closer to the vehicle longitudinal axis of symmetry, as opposed to the term outer.

[0073] In other words, the light beam 31 can form an angular sector, in a plane which is substantially vertical and transverse, i.e. orthogonal to the cab side wall 7, the angular sector having an angle an angle ranging from 5 to 40.

[0074] For example, 1 can be around 10, 2 can be around 10; can be around 10, 2 can be around 10.

[0075] The vehicle 1 may further comprise a lighting system 30 mounted on the cab 5 above the windshield 13. Such a front lighting system makes windshield cleaning easier for the driver, and can also be used to make sure the front panel is open when the driver wants to tilt the cab 5.

[0076] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which shows how a user, generally the driver, can control the camera assembly 50.

[0077] When the driver 65 approaches his vehicle 1 in a parking state, i.e. with the engine stopped and the door 15 locked, he remotely controls the door opening by means of an actuator 66, such as the vehicle key.

[0078] In an embodiment where the supporting arm 51 is folded along the cab side wall 7 in the parking state, this remote vehicle door unlocking command automatically causes the camera assembly 50 to be put in the operative position (step 1S1). In other words, the supporting arm second portion 58 is pivoted relative to the supporting arm first portion 57, to the operative position. Of course, this first step is skipped in case the supporting arm 51 is fixedly fastened to the cab 5, i.e. if it always protrudes outwardly and cannot be folded.

[0079] Then, the light source(s) 33 are automatically switched on (step 2S2). The light source(s) 33 can be kept on until the vehicle engine is turned on and, preferably, until the parking brake is released.

[0080] Thus, there is provided proximity lighting as soon as the driver unlocks the vehicle, and until he is starting to move.

[0081] Of course, the activation of the lighting system 30 can be controlled also when the driver is inside the compartment 8 and the engine is on.

[0082] The invention therefore provides a lighting system which is very efficiently integrated in the vehicle architecture, both mechanically and electronically.

[0083] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.