阅读说明：本技术 用于将光学系统安装在车辆的车身元件上的装置 (Device for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle ) 是由 A·桑切斯 于 2020-03-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于将光学系统安装在车辆的车身元件上的装置(1),该光学系统包括图像捕获装置(2’)和用于清洁图像捕获装置的流体投射装置(3’)。根据本发明,该装置包括：外壳元件(2),该外壳元件用于将图像捕获装置(2’)保持在安装位置；流体投射装置(3’)的保持元件(3),该保持元件用于将流体投射装置相对于设置在安装位置的图像捕获装置(2’)放置在功能位置；以及紧固元件(4),外壳元件(2)和保持元件(3)安装在该紧固元件上,其中,紧固元件(4)旨在紧固到车辆的车身元件上。(The invention relates to a device (1) for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle, the optical system comprising an image capturing device (2 ') and a fluid projection device (3') for cleaning the image capturing device. According to the invention, the device comprises: a housing element (2) for holding the image capturing device (2') in an installed position; a holding element (3) of the fluid projection device (3 ') for placing the fluid projection device in a functional position with respect to the image capture device (2') arranged in the mounting position; and a fastening element (4) on which the housing element (2) and the holding element (3) are mounted, wherein the fastening element (4) is intended to be fastened to a body element of a vehicle.)

1. A mounting device (1) for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle, the optical system comprising an image capturing device (2 ') having a housing and a fluid projecting device (3') for projecting a fluid for cleaning the image capturing device, the mounting device comprising:

-a housing element (2), the housing element (2) being for holding the housing of the image capturing device (2') in a mounted position;

-a holding element (3) of the fluid projection device (3');

-a fastening element (4), the housing element (2) and the holding element (3) being mounted on the fastening element (4) such that the fluid projection device (3 ') is arranged in a functional position relative to the image capturing device (2 ') when the image capturing device (2 ') is in the mounted position, wherein the fastening element (4) is intended to be fastened to the body element of the vehicle.

2. The mounting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing element (2) has a side wall in which at least one flexible tab (6) is arranged, the at least one flexible tab (6) having a free end carrying a notch (6a), the flexible tab (6) being deformable to allow introduction of the optical image capturing device (2 ') into the housing element (2) and to close the notch on the flexible tab when the image capturing device (2') is arranged in the mounted position.

3. The mounting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing element (2) and the holding element (3) are part of the same body.

4. Mounting device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the fastening element (4) is carried by an intermediate part (14) fastened to the body in a reversible manner.

5. Mounting device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate component (14) comprises two components (14a, 14b) connected by a connecting ring (14c), each component being configured to slide in an assembly rail (17) arranged on the main body.

6. Mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the fastening element (4) and the retaining element (3) are carried by an intermediate part (19) that is fastened to the housing element (2) in a reversible manner.

7. Mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 4 and 6, wherein the intermediate part (14, 19) is fastened to the body element in an irreversible manner.

8. The mounting device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element (4) comprises a plurality of metal clips (15 '), the plurality of metal clips (15') being configured to cooperate with a retaining element (9) provided on the bodywork element of the vehicle.

9. The mounting device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element comprises an adhesive material (24) provided on the intermediate part (14, 19).

10. Mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the intermediate part (14, 19) comprises an element for adjusting the angular position of the housing element (2).

11. The mounting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing element (2) and the fastening element (4) are connected via a hinge (25).

12. Mounting device (1) according to claim 11, comprising removable adjustment means for orienting the housing element (2) at a determined angle with respect to the fastening element (4).

13. The mounting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing element (2) is provided with an electrical interface (7), the electrical interface (7) being configured to couple with an electrical connector of the image capturing device (2 ') when the image capturing device (2') is held in the mounted position.

14. The mounting device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the housing element (2) has a bottom and the electrical interface (7) comprises a connector provided on the bottom of the housing element (2).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle.

Background

It is increasingly common to equip vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, with image capture devices. Thus, the image capture device may be a rear view camera (inverting camera) integrated into the rear trunk door of the vehicle or its cowling or into an exterior rear view mirror to provide a rear side image of the environment. Document EP3149433 proposes a mounting device for such a device. It may also be a remote sensing laser device (commonly indicated by the acronym "LIDAR") or an infrared image sensor.

In document US2019028618, an image capturing device intended to equip a motor vehicle is described. The image capture device is provided in a modular and compact form for integration into all types of body elements. The modular device is constructed of a plastic housing that holds the optics. The housing contains and protects an integrated electronic image sensor disposed on a printed circuit facing the optics. The housing is closed by a cover carrying the electrical connector. The connector is electrically connected to the printed circuit and may meet a connection standard, such as FAKRA, to facilitate its electrical connection to the vehicle computer via a standard connection cable.

Optical devices such as the image capturing apparatus described in the aforementioned documents are easily contaminated by rain, spatter or dust, which causes deterioration in the quality of the provided image and may cause a safety problem. To address this problem, it has been proposed to place a device projecting a cleaning fluid on the vehicle in the immediate vicinity of the optics of the image capture device. By projecting this fluid (liquid or compressed air) on the optics of the image capturing device as required, the aim is to eliminate particles or material that obstruct the optics in order to regain a satisfactory image quality. Such solutions are described in particular in documents WO2018043743, US20180345917 and EP2873571, in which the housings of the image capturing device and the fluid projection device are assembled directly to the support.

Object of the Invention

It is generally sought to simplify the assembly of the parts that make up the vehicle, in particular those that are to be placed on the bodywork part of the vehicle. The present invention aims to provide a device for facilitating the installation of an optical system composed of an image capturing device and a device for cleaning the image capturing device.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of achieving the object, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for mounting an optical system on a body member of a vehicle, the optical system including an image capturing apparatus having a housing and a fluid projecting apparatus for cleaning the image capturing apparatus, the mounting apparatus including:

-a housing element for holding the housing of the image capturing device in a mounted position;

-a holding element of the fluid projection device;

-a fastening element on which the housing element and the holding element are mounted such that the fluid projection device is arranged in a functional position relative to the image capture device when the image capture device is in the mounted position, wherein the fastening element is intended to be fastened to the body element of the vehicle.

According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the invention, alone or in any technically feasible combination:

the housing element has a side wall in which at least one flexible tab is arranged, the at least one flexible tab having a free end carrying a notch, the flexible tab being deformable to allow introduction of the optical image capture device into the housing element and to close the notch on the flexible tab when the image capture device is disposed in the mounted position;

the housing element and the holding element are part of the same body;

the fastening element is carried by an intermediate part which is fastened to the body in a reversible manner;

the housing element and the holding element are part of the same body;

the intermediate component comprises two components connected by a connecting ring, each component being configured to slide in an assembly guide arranged on the main body;

the fastening element and the retaining element are carried by an intermediate part which is fastened to the housing element in a reversible manner;

the intermediate part is fastened to the body element in an irreversible manner;

the fastening element comprises a plurality of metal clips configured to cooperate with a retaining element provided on the bodywork element of the vehicle;

the fastening element comprises an adhesive material provided on the intermediate part;

the intermediate part comprises an element for adjusting the angular position of the housing element;

the housing element and the fastening element are connected via a hinge;

the mounting means comprise removable adjustment means for orienting the housing element at a determined angle relative to the fastening element;

the housing element is provided with an electrical interface configured to couple with an electrical connector of the image capture device when the image capture device is held in the mounted position.

The housing element has a bottom and the electrical interface comprises a connector provided on the bottom of the housing element.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[ FIG. 1a ]

[ FIG. 1b ]

[ FIG. 1c ]

[ FIG. 1d ]

Fig. 1a to 1d show a mounting device according to a first embodiment;

[ FIG. 2a ]

[ FIG. 2b ]

[ FIG. 2c ]

[ FIG. 2d ]

Fig. 2a to 2d show a mounting device according to another embodiment;

[ FIG. 3a ]

[ FIG. 3b ]

[ FIG. 3c ]

[ FIG. 3d ]

Figures 3a to 3d show a mounting device according to yet another embodiment;

[ FIG. 4]

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the body formed by the housing element and the holding element.

Detailed Description

In the remainder of the present description, the term "optical system" will denote the assembly consisting of the image capture device 2 'and the fluid projection device 3', which is intended to be assembled to a bodywork element of a vehicle. Additionally, the term "image capture device" refers to any device capable of forming a representation of the environment of a vehicle; it may in particular be an image sensor in the visible range or in the infrared range or in any other wavelength range. It may also be a laser-based device, such as a LIDAR (LIDAR), as has been explained in detail in the background of the present application. In all cases, the image capture device includes a housing holding optics, for example made of plastic. The housing contains and protects a sensor disposed on the printed circuit facing the optics. The housing is closed by a cover carrying the electrical connector. The connector is electrically connected to the printed circuit.

In the method chosen, the optical system can be pre-mounted on the device 1 to facilitate its assembly to the bodywork element. For this purpose, the body element is provided with a main opening configured to receive the optics of the image capturing device 2. The body element can also be provided with another opening to receive a nozzle from the projection device 3 'when the projection device 3' cannot be placed in the main opening.

Very generally and with reference to the accompanying drawings, a mounting device 1 for an optical system according to the various embodiments constituting the present description comprises:

a housing element 2 for holding an optical image capturing device 2';

a holding element 3 of the fluid projection device 3;

a fastening element 4 fitted with the housing element 2 and the retaining element 3, which fastening element is intended to be fastened to a bodywork element of a vehicle.

The image capturing device 2' may be fastened to the housing element 2 in any way, for example by clamping, snap fastening, elastic fitting, by stapling or by screwing, in order to hold it in this mounted position. For this purpose, the housing of the image capturing device may be provided with means that facilitate or allow its fastening to the housing element 2.

In some embodiments, such as shown in fig. 2a, 3a or 4, the housing element 2 is formed by side walls defining a housing 5 in which housing 5 the image capturing device 2' can be placed in an installed position. The housing element 2 of these embodiments may have a flexible tab 6 arranged on one of the side walls of the housing 5. The flexible tab 6 carries at its free end a notch 6a, oriented towards the inside of the casing 5. The flexible tab 6 is deformable towards the outside of the housing to allow the image capturing device 2' to be introduced into the housing 5 and closed on the image capturing device when the image capturing device is placed in an installed position. In this position, the electrical connector of the optical image capturing device 2' can be arranged so as to be coupled to an electrical interface 7 which the housing element 2 can be arranged to provide.

When such an electrical interface 7 is provided in the housing element 2, it has a first side, as can be seen in fig. 4, present within the housing 5, which allows the electrical interface to be connected to the electrical connector of the image capturing device 2 when the image capturing device is held by the housing element 2. The electrical interface 7 may comprise a connector arranged on a wall forming the bottom of the housing 2. The electrical interface 7 also comprises a second side that appears outside the housing 5, allowing the electrical interface to be connected to a connection cable for electrically connecting the image capturing device 2' to the computer of the vehicle. The first side and the second side of the electrical interface 7 may satisfy different standards, such as the FAKRA standard. The connection between the electrical interface 7 and the housing element 2 may be tight. The electrical interface 7 may comprise a cable segment, the end of which may be fitted with a connector to facilitate the wiring of the vehicle, in particular when the optical system has to be positioned in a difficult-to-access location of the vehicle.

When the housing element 2 does not provide any electrical interface 7, provision will be made to arrange the channels so that a connection cable can be introduced that can be plugged directly into the electrical connector of the image capture device 2' in order to allow electrical connection of the device to the vehicle computer. The housing of the image capturing device 2' does not have to have electrical connectors and the device may comprise a connection cable directly connected to the printed circuit carrying the sensor. In this case, too, the connecting cable can be fed through the passage of the housing element 2 in a preparatory step of the mounting device 1.

The holding element 3 is intended to hold the fluid projection device 3 ' in a functional position relative to the image capturing device 2 ' when the image capturing device 2 ' is in the mounted position. The fluid projection device 3' has one end for connection to a port for supplying a fluid and the other end or another portion forming a nozzle for projecting the fluid. In the functional position, the fluid is effectively and accurately projected by the nozzle onto the optics of the image capturing device 2'. The holding element 3 is capable of holding the projection device 3' firmly in its functional position. They can be fixed to one another, in particular by clamping.

In certain embodiments, the housing element 2 and the holding element 3 are fixed to each other. They may be part of the same body as the mounting device 1. Such a body is shown diagrammatically in fig. 4. The body may be made of plastic. In a variant of these embodiments, it is conceivable to form the housing element 2 and the holding element 3 in two separate parts, but without any degree of freedom being fixed to each other to form the body.

For assembling the optical system to a body element of a vehicle, the mounting device 1 is further provided with a fastening element 4. The fastening element 4 is intended to receive the housing element 2 and the holding element 3 such that the fluid projection device 3 ' is arranged in a functional position relative to the image capturing device 2 ' when the image capturing device 2 ' is in the mounted position. The fastening element 4 may take many forms, as will be presented in various embodiments of the present description.

The fastening element 4 is configured to assemble the mounting device 1 on the body element very simply, for example by clamping, snap fastening, elastic fitting or stapling. The assembly may be reversible or irreversible, that is to say at least one part of the device 1 is held on the bodywork element by the fastening element 4, without easy-to-detach means.

It will be appreciated that the assembly of the optical system with the bodywork elements is particularly facilitated by the proposed device 1. The assembly device 1 may in fact be delivered preassembled with the image capture device 2 'and the projection device 3', that is to say preassembled with the image capture device 2 'and the projection device 3', for example by clamping or by screwing. The preassembled assembly can be assembled in a single manually operated manner on the body element, for example fastened thereto by snap fastening. Once installed, the image capture device 2 'may be connected to the vehicle computer by a simple wired connection of the electrical interface 7 of the housing member 2 or the electrical connector of the image capture device 2'. The projection device 3' is in turn connected to a fluid distribution port on the side of its connection end.

Fig. 1a to 1d show a first embodiment of a mounting device 1 according to the present description. The fastening element 4 here is formed by a frame. The central opening of the frame enables opening of the optics of the image capturing device. The face of the frame piece intended to be positioned against the bodywork element 9 carries a plurality of flexible tabs 8, the ends of which carry respective retaining notches.

The body element 9 is in turn provided with an opening 8 ', the opening 8' being arranged so as to be placed in correspondence with the flexible tab 8 of the fastening element 4. These openings are traversed by side members on which the retaining notches can be closed, thus allowing the fastening element 4 to be fastened to the bodywork element 9.

In this embodiment, the housing element 2 is also composed of frames which are connected to the frames forming the fastening element 4 by means of hinge connections 25 extending on the respective side of each frame. When the two frames are moved away from each other by rotation of the hinge 25, the image capturing device 2' may be accommodated in a central opening of the frame forming the housing element 2, as shown in fig. 1 b. The side extensions of the housing of the image capturing device 2' may rest on some of the sides of the frame constituting the housing element 2 in order to allow them to be fastened to each other. The housing element 2 can thus be screwed to the frame or, as shown in fig. 1b, the image capturing device 2' can be clamped to a flexible tab 26 arranged on at least one side of the housing element 2.

After this step of positioning the image capturing element 2' in the housing element 2, the hinge 25 can be actuated again to close the housing element 2 on the fastening element 4. In this closed position, the optics of the image capture device 2' emerge from the frame forming the fastening element 4 to engage or be disposed opposite an opening provided in the body element 9.

The fastening element 4 carries a ball 27, where the ball 27 is located on the opposite side of the frame to the side where the hinge 25 is made. The ball 27 is intended to snap into place and be received in a flexible receiving part 27' of the housing element 2 in order to hold the two parts together in the closed position of the hinge 25. The retention of the ball 27 in the receiving part 27' is such that when the mounting device 1 receives a significant frontal impact, that is to say an impact perpendicular to the plane defined by the frame of the fastening element 4, the ball 27 can be moved out of the receiving part, allowing rotation of the hinge 25 and retracted positioning of the image capturing element 2. This limits the risk of damaging the device 1 when an accident occurs in the vehicle in which it is installed.

The ball 27 is rotatable in the receiving portion 27. It is placed at the end of an adjusting screw 28 passing through a threaded nut 29 carried by the fastening element 4. The free end of the screw 28 (that is to say the end which does not carry the ball 27) is shaped to be manipulated by a tool. By rotating the adjusting screw 28, the ball 27 is moved in translation along the axis of the adjusting screw 28, and the housing element 2 is angularly displaced relative to the fastening element 4 by rotating about the hinge 25.

This mechanism enables the position of the image capturing device 2' to be adjusted, which makes this embodiment particularly advantageous. Of course, the bodywork element 9 has a main opening shaped so that the free end of the adjusting screw 28 can be accessed.

Thus, the ball 27, the flexible receiving part 27 'and the adjustment screw 28 form a removable adjustment means for orienting the housing element 2 (and thus the image capturing device 2') at a determined angle with respect to the fastening element 4.

The retaining element 3 of this embodiment consists of a transverse arm which also carries a flexible tab configured to engage on a notch 30 formed on the upper side of the frame forming the fastening element 4. The arm here carries two ports, forming a fluid projection device 3 ', each port being provided over its length with a plurality of holes directed towards the inside of the frame intended to receive the optics of the image capture device 2'. The holes form nozzles making it possible to project a fluid in the direction of the optics in order to clean its surface. The ports have a first closed end and a second end connectable to a fluid distribution port of a vehicle.

When the arms forming the retaining element 3 have a transverse dimension greater than the dimension of the opening of the bodywork element, the retaining element 3 is fixed to the fastening part 4 after the fastening part 4 has been fastened to the bodywork element 9. Preferably, however, the transverse dimension of the arm will be adjusted such that it is smaller than the opening and such that the mounting device 1 can be fastened on the body element 9 completely pre-shown.

Fig. 2d to 2d show a mounting device 1 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the housing element 2 is fixed to the holding element 3 and together they constitute a body. The fastening element 4 here comprises an intermediate part 14 which is fastened to the body in a reversible manner. In the example shown in fig. 2a, the intermediate part is formed by two parts 14a, 14b, which parts 14a, 14b are interconnected by a connecting ring 14c and are arranged on both sides of the ring 14 c.

The connection ring 14c avoids obscuring the optics of the image capturing device 2 'when the image capturing device 2' is placed in the mounted position in the housing element 2.

The outer surfaces of the two opposite walls of the housing element 2 carry guide rails 17, in which guide rails 17 the two parts 14a, 14b of the intermediate part 14 can slide. These rails 17 may have side openings 16, wherein lugs 15 placed transversely on the parts 14a, 14b may engage in the side openings 16 in order to assemble the intermediate part 14 to the body and fix their relative position.

The intermediate part 14 is provided with two legs 18 carried by the two parts 14a, 14b, respectively, each leg 18 receiving a metal clip 15' in the form of a ring. Once firmly positioned on the foot 18, these metal clips 15', in the form of rings, are configured to cooperate with the retaining element 9 arranged on the bodywork element of the vehicle, in order to fasten the intermediate part 14 to this element in a non-reversible manner. As is known per se, each metal clip 15' may comprise a projecting claw which may be introduced into the holding element 9, but the holding element 9 blocks the removal of the projecting claw.

The mounting device 1 according to this embodiment may initially be delivered in a pre-assembled manner, that is to say by possibly already fastening the cleaning device 3 ' and the image capturing device 2 ' on the main body and already placing the intermediate part 14 provided with the metal clip 15 ' on the main body. The assembly can be mounted on the bodywork element in a single step by nailing it to the retaining element 9 (fig. 2b) of the vehicle. If the optical system needs to be disassembled, the main body may be slid via the guide rail 17 to be separated from the intermediate member 14. The intermediate part 14 remains irreversibly fastened to the bodywork element (fig. 2 c).

In a variant of this embodiment shown in fig. 2d, the fastening element 4 may be formed by an adhesive material 24 provided on the intermediate part 14; the adhesive material 24 may be activated, for example, by heating, to irreversibly fasten the intermediate member 14 to the vehicle body element.

Fig. 3a to 3d show a mounting device 1 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the fastening element 4 and the retaining element 3 are both carried by an intermediate part 19, which intermediate part 19 is fastened in a reversible manner to the housing element 2 and in an irreversible manner to the retaining element 9 of the body element.

In this embodiment, the relative angular position of the housing element 2 can be adjusted relative to the intermediate part 19. Thus, the orientation of the optical elements of the image capturing device 2 can be accurately adjusted after mounting the mounting device 1, which may be important when the light field is relatively narrow, as is the case for lidar type devices.

The intermediate part 19 carries three notched wheels 20, each wheel 20 having a central hole. These holes are configured to receive inserts 21, for example plastic inserts, which carry the annular metal clip 18 on their outer surface. These inserts 21 also have an axial recess carrying an internal thread. The end of the insert 21 emerging from the notched wheel 20 is introduced into the holding element 9 of the bodywork element in order to irreversibly fasten the intermediate part 19 in which the holding element 3 and the projection device 3' are carried. In the alternative, it is also conceivable to fasten the intermediate part 19 to the body element by means of an adhesive material. In this case, the insert 21 would not be necessary and the internal thread would be carried through the central bore of the wheel 20.

The shell element 2 is in turn reversibly coupled to the intermediate member 19 by a plurality of rotary members 22 (three in the example shown) to be respectively associated with the notched wheels 20.

Each rotating part 22 (clearly visible in fig. 3 d) is formed by a central shaft, the first end 22a of which carries an external thread configured to cooperate with an internal thread of the axial recess of the insert 21. The flexible part 22c of the rotating part 22 cooperates with a notch of the wheel 20 to allow indexing of the angular position of the rotating part 22 with respect to the wheel 20 and therefore with respect to the advancement (progression) achieved by screwing the rotating part 22 into the insert 21. The other end portion 22b of the center shaft enters an opening formed in the housing member 2. This opening makes the end 22b of the shaft accessible from the outside, said end 22b being shaped to be rotationally maneuverable by a tool. The central shaft also carries a spherical ball joint 22d, which spherical ball joint 22d is configured to be clamped into a clamping housing 23 of the housing element 2 to fix the housing element to the rotary member 22 and thus to the intermediate element 19.

Thus, the rotating member 22 can be driven in rotation, its movement and angular position being indexed or indexed by the flexible member 22C received in the recess of the wheel 20. The advance achieved by screwing the rotation member 22 into the insert 21 causes the housing element 2 to be displaced by rotating about an axis passing through the other two rotation members 22. Advantageously, three notched wheels 20, the central holes of which define the three fastening points of the housing element 2, will be placed on the surface of the intermediate part 19 so that they form a right triangle. The gear 20 and the rotating member 22, arranged at right angles to the triangle, constitute the pivot fastening point, the other two notched wheel-rotating member pairs thus orienting the housing element 2 (and therefore the image capture device 2') angularly and respectively along two axes perpendicular to each other.

It should be noted that these elements for adjusting the angular position of the housing element 2 are fully compatible with the previous embodiment, in which the housing element 2 and the retaining element 3, fixed to each other, are associated with the intermediate part 14.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and modifications may be added without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.