Patent Application
20170341595
The invention relates generally to a multifunctional electronic armature for a motor vehicle that replaces a side-view mirror, and more particularly to an armature that moves between an exposed position and a concealed position and that has image capturing and signaling capabilities to replace a side-view mirror and add additional functionality.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.
Motor vehicles have been designed with increasingly advanced technologies aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and performance of the motor vehicle. Examples of such technologies include advanced driver assistance systems and human machine interface systems. Generally, advanced driver assistance systems automate, adapt, or enhance vehicle systems in order to increase vehicle safety and/or operator driving performance. Advanced driver assistance systems are designed to avoid accidents by offering technologies that alert the driver to potential problems or to avoid collisions by implementing safeguards, such as autonomously controlling the vehicle. Operator driving performance may be improved by using features that enhance certain systems, such as automated lighting, automated parking, adaptive cruise control, automated braking, or improved blind spot elimination using camera technology. Human machine interface systems generally include systems that provide graphics-based visualization of a control system, either to the user of the motor vehicle or to an individual external to the motor vehicle. An example of such a device is a projector system that projects images onto or around the motor vehicle to communicate information regarding the status of the motor vehicle.
The addition of these advanced technologies to the motor vehicle in turn requires a range of additional hardware to implement these systems. Examples of this hardware include rear-view side cameras, surround-view cameras, sensors, projectors, etc. Thus, while advanced driver assistance systems and human machine interface systems are useful for their intended purpose, there is a constant challenge in packaging and controlling these systems efficiently while not degrading the drivability, fuel efficiency, and appearance of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, a need exists for a device that effectively houses and controls these advanced technologies.
A multifunctional electronic armature for a motor vehicle is provided. The multifunctional electronic armature may replace the traditional side-view mirror of the motor vehicle. The multifunctional electronic armature includes a housing mounted to the motor vehicle, wherein the housing articulates from a first position where the housing is flush with the outer trim or body panel of the motor vehicle and a second position where the housing is extended from the outer trim or body panel of the motor vehicle, a first electronic device mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position, and a second electronic device mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.
In one aspect, the first electronic device is a rear-view side camera.
In another aspect, the second electronic device is a turn signal indicator.
In another aspect, a surround-view camera is mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.
In another aspect, a projector is mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.
In another aspect, the housing substantially surrounds the first electronic device and the second electronic device.
In another aspect, an electronically controlled actuator is connected to the housing for moving the housing between the first position and the second position.
In another aspect, the housing includes a pivot point connected to the motor vehicle and the actuator pivots the housing between the first position and the second position.
In another aspect, the housing includes an outer surface visible relative to an exterior of the motor vehicle when the housing is in the first and second positions and an inner surface visible relative to an exterior of the motor vehicle only when in the second position.
In another aspect, the inner surface defines a first aperture for receiving the first electronic device and a second aperture for receiving the second electronic device.
In another aspect, the outer surface includes a decorative feature or a badge indicative of a manufacturer of the motor vehicle.
In another aspect, the outer surface has an apex that points towards a front of the motor vehicle when the housing is in the second position to create an aerodynamic profile.
Further aspects, examples, and advantages will become apparent by reference to the following description and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
With reference to
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In the first or concealed position illustrated in
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The rear-view side camera 42 is disposed within an aperture 50 in the housing 24 of the armature 10 disposed on the back surface 26. The rear-view side camera 42 is configured to capture rear-view images relative to the motor vehicle 12 when the armature 10 is extended. The surround-view camera 44 is disposed within an aperture 52 in the housing 24 on the end surface 30. The surround-view camera 44 is configured to capture a wide field of view around the side of the motor vehicle 12 when the armature 10 is extended. The field of view captured by the surround-view camera 44 is combined with other fields of view from other cameras to generate a surround-view of the motor vehicle 12. The turn signal 46 is disposed on the back surface 26 and may be activated to indicate a desired turn. The projector 48 is disposed in an aperture 54 formed in the bottom surface 34 of the armature 10. The projector 48 is configured to project an image or a dynamic image on a surface to a side of the motor vehicle 12 on which the motor vehicle 12 is operating. Examples of images include turn signal arrows, messages, etc.
Each of the electronic devices 40 is in electronic communication with an armature control unit (ACU) 58 via any wired connection, for example a bus network. The ACU 58 is disposed within the armature 10 and is a non-generalized, electronic control device having a preprogrammed digital computer or processor, memory or non-transitory computer readable medium used to store data such as control logic or instructions, and a plurality of input/output peripherals. The processor is configured to execute the control logic or instructions. The ACU 58 is in electronic communication with a vehicle control module 60 disposed in the motor vehicle 12. The vehicle control module 60 may be an engine control module, transmission control module, body control module, etc. The vehicle control module 60 may be in communication with a display device 62. The display device 62 is located in the motor vehicle 12 and is viewable by operator of the motor vehicle 12. The display device 62 may be located in an instrument panel, heads-up-display, or dashboard of the motor vehicle 12 or may be a separate, standalone display screen. Images from the rear-view side camera 42 and the surround-view camera 44 may be displayed on the display device 62.
The armature 10 further includes an actuator 64 housed within the housing 24 to move the armature 10 between the concealed and extended positions. The actuator 64 is preferably an electric motor and, upon command, actuates a pivot connection 66 that articulates the armature 10 about the pivot point 22.
The armature 10 effectively replaces the traditional side-view mirror assembly with a fully automatic, modular component. When the motor vehicle 12 is moving, the armature 10 is extended and the electronic devices 40 are exposed and in their operating positions thus providing additional utility beyond a traditional side-view mirror. Since no mirror is needed, the armature 10 also has a reduced cross-sectional profile relative to a traditional mirror, thus reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency. When the motor vehicle 12 is stopped or parked, the armature 10 moves to the concealed position, thus concealing the electronic devices 40 and protecting the armature 10 from damage.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
