The present invention relates to a modular camera system, in particular to a modular camera system for use in motor vehicles.
Driving a motor vehicle becomes considerably more difficult in poor weather conditions or at night. This also results in a relatively higher accident rate as compared with good weather conditions during the day. Infrared camera systems can sense obstacles and possible sources of risk on the road even at night or in poor weather conditions, and evaluation devices can detect these sources of risk and inform the vehicle driver by way of suitable indicating devices.
In one common assemblage, the camera is mounted close to the rear-view mirror, i.e, centeredly behind the vehicle's windshield. The size of the space available there depends on the configuration of the interior of the vehicle in question. The camera systems and associated evaluation devices must therefore adapted, in terms of their space requirement, to the various vehicle models. In many vehicle models the camera system must be divided into two components, and control devices must be disposed separately from the camera.
This leads to the need to make available a large variety of different camera systems so that they can be integrated into the various vehicle models.
An example modular camera system according to the present invention, creates a camera system that is universally usable for all vehicle models.
The example modular camera system according to the present invention includes:
One aspect of the example embodiment of the present invention is that the camera can readily be disposed separately from the signal processing and control unit, or in a manner fitted together with it, depending on the space available. One-time development of the two components of the modular camera system is therefore sufficient, and universal use is guaranteed.
Disposition so as to abut in planar fashion may encompass a form-locking disposition.
The first contact element can be a male plug connector and the second contact element can be a female plug connector, or conversely the first contact element can be a female plug connector and the second contact element can be a male plug connector. It is also possible for the first contact element and the second contact element to be female connectors, and for a coupling piece having two male plug connectors to be interposed for connecting the first and the second housing.
In one example embodiment, the first housing is placeable separately from the second housing, and the first contact element is connected to the second contact element via a connecting cable when the first housing is placed separately from the second housing.
The first contact element and the second contact element can be respectively disposed in a countersink in the first and the second housing. The countersink is preferably deep enough to receive a plug element of the connecting cable. As a result, the connecting cable is securely fastened and the space requirement is reduced, since the plug element does not protrude.
According to an example embodiment, the camera has a deactivatable conductor driver and/or the signal processing and control unit has a deactivatable conductor driver, and the deactivatable conductor drivers are deactivated when the first housing is disposed so as to abut in planar fashion against the second housing. Deactivation can be performable by the contact element itself, or manually. The advantage of deactivating the conductor driver is the lower power consumption and the lower radiation of high-frequency signals of the two camera system components.
The present invention is described in detail below by way of example with reference to preferred exemplifying embodiments and to the figures.
The first example embodiment is shown in
If it is possible to dispose first housing 1 and second housing 8 together at a desired location, no conductor 6 is used. Instead, a connection between first housing 1 and second housing 8 is achieved via coupling pieces 11 and 12 that are inserted into sockets 3 and 10, respectively. First housing 1 can thus be disposed so as to abut in planar fashion against second housing 8, thereby minimizing the overall space requirement.
A connection to further components can be made available via a second conductor 13 that is connected to first housing 8 via a corresponding socket 14 and a plug 15.
A second example embodiment is depicted in
In an example embodiment that is not depicted, contact elements 27, 28 of the two housings 20, 21 can be flush with the external surfaces of the two housings 20, 21. In this case no coupling piece 29, 30 between the two housings 20, 21 is necessary in order to ensure a connection between housings 20, 21 that are disposed conformingly with respect to one another.
Interface drivers 44 and 54 are additionally disposed in the two housings 43, 50. These are necessary in order to increase the signal strength when the signals must be transmitted over a longer travel length, i.e., via a conductor. Optimally, these interface drivers 44, 54 can be switched off when first housing 43 and second housing 50 are in contact with one another, i.e., the travel length between the two housings 43, 50 is minimal. The two interface drivers 44, 54 can be switched off manually by closing or opening suitable bridges.
In another example embodiment, a contact pair is disposed on first housing 43, and a contact bridge corresponding to the contact pair is disposed on second housing 50. If the two housings 43, 50 are disposed conformingly with respect to one another, the contact bridge short-circuits the two contacts. This is sensed by a sensor device, and the interface driver is thereupon deactivated. In similar fashion, a contact pair is disposed on second housing 50, and a contact bridge on first housing 43.
In a further example variant, the electronic configuration is not populated with the interface drivers when it is certain that the modular camera system will be disposed as one piece.
Deactivation of the interface drivers decreases the power consumption of the two camera system components. Furthermore, the electromagnetic radiation is also reduced, especially as a result of the data signals transmitted at high frequency.
The housing of the camera and the housing of the control device fit into one another. In the fitted-together state, a plug adapter can additionally be disposed between the two housings in order to bridge the mechanical gap. This can be regarded as a connecting cable having a length of zero meters.
Holding, guiding, and latching devices can be disposed on the housings to ensure mutual retention of the two housings.
The plugs used can be fine-pitch plugs. Ribbon cables can be used as cables or conductors.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102006043010.7 | Sep 2006 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP07/57446 | 7/18/2007 | WO | 00 | 4/29/2009 |