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 M·林德根斯 Z·董 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,该光学系统包括图像捕获装置和用于投射流体以清洁图像捕获装置的流体投射装置。所述装置包括：用于将所述光学装置保持在安装位置的外壳元件,所述外壳元件具有电气接口,所述电气接口被构造成当所述图像捕获装置被设置在所述安装位置时联接到所述图像捕获装置的电连接器；用于保持所述流体投射装置的元件；和用于将所述外壳元件和所述保持元件紧固到所述车辆的所述车身元件的元件。(The invention relates to a device for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle, the optical system comprising an image capturing device and a fluid projecting device for projecting a fluid for cleaning the image capturing device. The device comprises: a housing element for holding the optical device in an installed position, the housing element having an electrical interface configured to couple to an electrical connector of the image capture device when the image capture device is disposed in the installed position; an element for holding the fluid projection device; and an element for fastening the housing element and the holding element to the body element of the 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 ') 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 image capturing device (2 ') in an installed position, the housing element (2) being provided with an electrical interface (7), the electrical interface (7) being configured to couple with an electrical connector provided on a housing of the image capturing device (2 ') when the image capturing device (2 ') is held in the installed position;

-a holding element (3), the holding element (3) being for holding the fluid projection device (3 ') for placing the fluid projection device (3 ') in a functional position with respect to the image capturing device (2 ') arranged in the mounting position;

-a fastening element (4), the fastening element (4) being used for fastening the housing element (2) and the holding element (3) 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 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 (6) 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) has a bottom and the electrical interface (7) comprises a connector provided on the bottom of the housing element (2).

4. The mounting device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the electrical interface (7) comprises a connection cable electrically connected to the connector provided on the bottom of the housing element (2).

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

6. The mounting device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the fastening element (4) comprises a plurality of flexible tabs (8a) provided on the body and configured to snap onto the bodywork element.

7. Mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fastening element (5) comprises a plurality of snap-in legs which are provided on the body and are configured to enter openings arranged on the bodywork element.

8. The mounting device (1) according to claim 7, comprising a locking element (10), the locking element (10) being selectively movable in an unlocked position, in which the snap foot is removable from the opening of the body element, and a locked position, in which the snap foot is not removable from the opening of the body element.

9. Mounting device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the fastening element (4) is carried by an intermediate part (14), the intermediate part (14) being fastened to the body in a reversible manner.

10. Mounting device (1) according to claim 9, 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.

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

12. The mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 9 and 11, wherein the intermediate part (14, 19) is fastened to the body element in an irreversible manner.

13. The mounting device (1) according to claim 12, 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 body element of the vehicle.

14. The mounting device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the fastening element comprises an adhesive material (24) provided on the intermediate part.

15. Mounting device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the intermediate part (19) comprises an element for adjusting the angular position 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 a mounting device for mounting an optical system on a body member of a vehicle, the optical system including an image capturing device and a device for projecting a fluid for cleaning the image capturing device, the mounting device including:

-a housing element for holding the optical device in an installed position, the housing element being provided with an electrical interface configured to couple with an electrical connector provided on a housing of the image capturing device when the image capturing device is held in the installed position;

-a holding element for holding the fluid projection device for placing the fluid projection device in a functional position relative to the image capturing device arranged in the mounting position;

-a retaining element for fastening the housing element and the retaining element 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 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 has a bottom and the electrical interface comprises a connector provided on the bottom of the housing element;

the electrical interface comprises a connection cable electrically connected to the connector provided on the bottom of the housing element;

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

the fastening element comprises a plurality of flexible tabs provided on the body and configured to snap onto the bodywork element;

the fastening element comprises a plurality of snap-in feet provided on the body and configured to enter openings arranged on the bodywork element;

the mounting device comprises a locking element which is selectively movable in an unlocked position in which the snap-in foot is removable from the opening of the body element and in a locked position in which the snap-in foot is not removable from the opening of the body element;

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

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 of the fluid projection device are carried by an intermediate part which is fastened in a reversible manner to the housing element. (ii) a

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.

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 shows a variant of the first embodiment;

fig. 2b shows a variant of fig. 2a in an exploded view.

[ FIG. 3a ]

Fig. 3b fig. 3a and 3b show a mounting device according to another embodiment;

[ FIG. 4a ]

[ FIG. 4b ]

[ FIG. 4c ]

Fig. 4d fig. 4a to 4d show a mounting device according to another embodiment;

[ FIG. 5a ]

[ FIG. 5b ]

[ FIG. 5c ]

Fig. 5d fig. 5a to 5d show a mounting device according to yet another embodiment.

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 is provided in a modular form: it comprises a housing, for example made of plastic, which holds the optics. The housing includes and protects a sensor disposed on the printed circuit. The housing carries an electrical connector that 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 openings configured to receive the optics of the image capturing device 2' and the end nozzles of the projection device 3.

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, the housing element 2 being adapted to hold an optical image capturing device 2' and to electrically interface with the device;

a holding element 3 holding a fluid projection device 3';

fastening elements 4 for fastening the housing element 2 and the holding element 3 to a body element of the vehicle.

The housing element 2 is formed, for example, by four side walls defining a housing 5 in which the image capture device 2' can be placed in a mounted position. The image capturing device 2 'may be fastened to the housing element 2 by any means, for example in the housing 5, in order to keep the image capturing device 2' in this mounted position.

In the example shown in fig. 1a to 1d, the housing element 2 has a flexible tab 6 arranged on one of the side walls. 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 housing when the image capturing device is placed in the mounted position. In this position, the electrical connector of the optical image capturing device 2' is coupled to the electrical interface 7 provided by the housing element 2.

Typically, the electrical interface 7 of the housing element 2 has a first side, which in the case shown in fig. 1a appears within the housing 5, allowing the electrical interface 7 to be connected to the electrical connector of the image capturing device 2 'when the image capturing device 2' is held by the housing element 2. As is clearly visible in fig. 1, the electrical interface 7 may comprise a connector arranged on a wall forming the bottom of the housing element 2. In the case shown in fig. 1c, the electrical interface 7 also comprises a second side, present outside the casing 5, allowing the electrical interface 7 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.

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 portion for connection to a port for supplying a fluid and the other end portion forming a nozzle for projecting the fluid. In the functional position, the fluid is effectively and accurately projected by the end 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 each other in particular by clamping, as is the case in the example shown.

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. 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 pieces, but fixed to each other without any degree of freedom 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 may take many forms, as will be presented in various embodiments of the present description.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1a to 1d, the fastening element 4 is formed by flexible tabs 8a formed on opposite side walls of the housing element 2. These flexible tabs 8a each carry a ramp arranged on their outer surface (that is to say the face that does not turn towards the inside of the casing 5). These ramps allow the flexible tabs to be progressively deformed during assembly of the device 1. The outer surface of these side walls also carries an abutment region 8b, which abutment region 8b in combination with the flexible tab 8a correspondingly forms a recess in which a fastening support 9 of the bodywork element can be accommodated. Fig. 1d shows the mounting device 1 assembled to a first embodiment of such a fastening support 9.

The fastening support 9 here is provided with an opening in which the device 1 can be placed and can be snapped into place using the fastening element 4, for example using a flexible tab in combination with the stopper 8 just described.

More generally, the fastening element 4 is configured to assemble the mounting device 1 on the bodywork 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 proposed device 1 particularly facilitates the assembly of the optical system with the bodywork elements. 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, as seen in the example of fig. 1a to 1d, the assembly device 1 is delivered, for example, by clamping the image capture device 2 'and the projection device 3' preassembled. The pre-assembled assembly can be assembled on the bodywork element in a single manual operation, for example by snap fastening to the fastening support 9 or any other retaining element of the bodywork element. Once installed, the image capture device 2 'may be connected to the vehicle's computer by simple wiring of the electrical interface 7. The projection device 3' is in turn connected to a fluid distribution port on the side of its connection end.

Fig. 2a shows a variant of the example shown in fig. 1a to 1 d. According to this variant, the fastening element 4 is formed by a flexible handle 4 provided on the body forming the mounting device 1. These flexible handles are configured to snap onto protruding ribs of the body member. This variant has all the advantages of the mounting device 1 just mentioned. It is particularly very simple to assemble to a body element of a vehicle. A metal part 4' may be provided which fits between the flexible handle and the rib to enhance the mounting of the assembly on the vehicle, as is clearly shown in figure 2 b.

Fig. 3a and 3b show a mounting device 1 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, there is indeed a housing element 2 fixed to the holding element 3 so as to constitute a main body. Here, two opposing walls of the housing element 2 are each provided with a flexible tab 6 for holding the image capturing device 2' in the mounted position.

The fastening element 4 of this embodiment is here constituted by two snap legs. These snap legs are defined by a plurality of flexible members, one end of which is connected to the body and the other free end carries the fastening notch. These flexible parts can approach each other to pass through the opening of the retaining element (retaining element)9 of the body element. The flexible member is retracted after passing through the opening in order to secure the mounting device 1 to the vehicle body element.

The mounting device 1 of this embodiment further comprises a locking element 10. The locking element carries two projecting parts 10a, the two projecting parts 10a being configured to penetrate into the snap-in legs, respectively, between the flexible parts defining these legs, so as to block them so that they are no longer close to each other. This locks the fastening of the mounting device 1 to the body element. As shown in fig. 3a, it may be provided to provide a locking element with a window 11 carried by an arm 13. These windows 12 cooperate with at least one positioning notch 11 (two notches 11 in the example of figure 3 a) carried by the outer surface of the wall of the housing element 2.

The locking member 10 can then be selectively placed in an unlocked position (shown in fig. 3 a) in which the protruding member 10a is not fully inserted into the snap legs of the body. Thus, the flexible parts defining these feet can be freely approached to each other, so as to allow the assembly of the optical system to the bodywork element. The unlocked position is maintained by placing the positioning notch 11 in one of the windows 12.

The locking member 10 can also be selectively placed in a locking position in which the protruding member 10a is fully inserted into the snap foot. Thus, the flexible parts can no longer approach each other, thus effectively locking the fastening. This position is maintained by placing each positioning notch 11 in a window 12 of an arm 13, as best shown in fig. 3 a.

The locking member 10 can be easily slid from the unlocked position to the locked position and vice versa. In this way, the optical system held by the mounting device 1 is reversibly fastened to a bodywork element of the vehicle, which may be advantageous when it is necessary, for example, to replace this element of a damaged vehicle.

Fig. 4a to 4c show a mounting device 1 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the housing element 2 is indeed found fixed to the holding element 3, this holding element 3 constituting a body as in the previous embodiments. However, in this embodiment, the fastening element 4 comprises an intermediate part 14 which is fastened to the body in a reversible manner. In the example shown in fig. 4a, 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 device 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. 4b) 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 member 14 remains irreversibly fastened to the bodywork element (fig. 4 c).

In a variant of this embodiment shown in fig. 4d, 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. 5a to 5c show a mounting device 1 according to yet 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. 5 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, will be placed on the surface of the intermediate part 19 so that they form a right triangle. The notched wheel 20 and the rotating part 22, arranged at right angles to the triangle, constitute the pivot fastening points, the other two notched wheel-rotating part 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.