WO2007080439A1 - Image-capturing assembly applicable to a rear-view mirror unit, and rear-view mirror unit - Google Patents

Image-capturing assembly applicable to a rear-view mirror unit, and rear-view mirror unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007080439A1
WO2007080439A1 PCT/IB2006/000065 IB2006000065W WO2007080439A1 WO 2007080439 A1 WO2007080439 A1 WO 2007080439A1 IB 2006000065 W IB2006000065 W IB 2006000065W WO 2007080439 A1 WO2007080439 A1 WO 2007080439A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
assembly according
cap
assembly
housing
light
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2006/000065
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Lorenzo Servera Serapio
Andrea Saccagno
Francesc Daura Luna
Original Assignee
Fico Mirrors, Sa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fico Mirrors, Sa filed Critical Fico Mirrors, Sa
Priority to PCT/IB2006/000065 priority Critical patent/WO2007080439A1/en
Publication of WO2007080439A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007080439A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R11/04—Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/02—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices involving prisms or mirrors
    • G02B23/08—Periscopes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B60R2001/1253—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general, in a first aspect, to an image capture set applicable to a rearview mirror unit, and in particular to an image capture set adapted to be mounted in different locations of reduced spaces (in particular due to the presence of a motor organ to move the mirror moon) of different rearview mirror housings, and with different orientations.
  • the present invention concerns a rearview mirror unit that incorporates one or more image capture sets as proposed by the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Some of these systems are focused on the supervision of the lateral environment of the vehicle, the preferred location of the sensors in general being that corresponding to the exterior rearview mirrors, since these devices have been designed to complement the main function of the rearview mirror, by means of the Sending alarm signals to the driver regarding the presence of vehicles approaching even when they are not visible in the rearview mirror itself, since they invade areas covered by the dead angle of the mirror, that is, those that the mirror does not cover.
  • the proposed camera comprises a housing with two opposite windows of external light input, an image capturing device, and, among other optical elements, an isosceles triangle shaped prism arranged with one of its faces facing the image capturing device, and each of the other two faces facing one of said two respective windows, so that the light entering through each of the windows affects a respective face of the prism, which deflects towards the image capturing device.
  • Said patent also contemplates that one of the faces of said prism conforms to a lens.
  • Said patent does not propose the incorporation or adaptation of the camera proposed in a system for detecting the presence of objects likely to collide with the vehicle, nor its arrangement inside a rear-view mirror assembly, nor the possibility of being able to dispense with one of the two windows defined by the housing that houses the prism.
  • the present invention proposes, in a first aspect, an image capture assembly whose special design and structure allows its assembly in a large variety of conventional rearview mirror units, occupying a minimum space, with the only requirement that they define an opening in its housing that allows the exit of part of the proposed assembly or the access of the light to the interior, said opening being able to be defined in a plurality of different positions of the rearview mirror carrying housing, depending on the shape and configuration of the rearview mirror unit, as well as the interior areas of the same where there is a small space in which part of the proposed set can be housed.
  • the image capture assembly proposed by the present invention is applicable to a rear-view mirror unit that integrates one or more rear-view mirrors and a case or carrying case thereof, said image-collecting assembly of the type comprising at least one electronic capturing device. , such as an array of CCD or CMOS sensors, and an associated optics, and is, or is likely to be, housed, at least in part, fixed inside said box, which, as mentioned more above, it is provided with an opening through which said pickup device can capture images from outside.
  • the image pick-up assembly proposed by the present invention comprises a support structure of said electronic pick-up device and said light diverter element, movably coupled, or capable of being, with at least a degree of freedom to said support structure, said degree of freedom being preferably relative to a rotating movement of the light diverter element with respect to the support structure.
  • Said light deflecting element is in general a prism (although for other embodiments it is a mirror), which has a shape that allows the exterior light that it receives on one of its faces to be diverted towards the sensing device, through another of their faces.
  • the optical characteristics of the prism can be chosen according to the rearview mirror unit in which the sensor assembly and the chosen location must be mounted, to achieve the appropriate angle of deviation, being able to also, thanks to the aforementioned rotating movement of the prism with respect to the support structure, the area to be covered by the pickup device is varied.
  • fixation of the sensor assembly inside the carrier housing of the rearview mirror it can be carried out in any way that an expert in the field agrees, such as, for example, that achieved by means of a moldable paste adhesive to glue both the sensor assembly and the housing of the rearview mirror unit, which it can take a form that keeps the sensor assembly in the position and with the desired orientation, or others that require that the rearview mirror carrier housing comprises its own or attached fixing means, such as elastic clamps to be coupled to the structure of support of the pickup device.
  • the present invention also concerns, in a second aspect, a rearview mirror unit adapted to accommodate one or more collector assemblies according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 is a exploded view of the sensor assembly proposed by the first aspect of the present invention
  • Figs. 2a and 2b are, respectively, a front and a side view of the assembly of Fig. 1 once assembled
  • Figs. 3a and 3b are, respectively, a rear view and a front view of the cap illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, belonging to the sensor set proposed by the first aspect of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view, taken from within a vehicle, of the sensor assembly proposed by the first aspect of the present invention mounted on a rearview mirror unit according to the second aspect of the invention
  • Figs. 5 to 8 show, in perspective, the proposed sensor assembly mounted in different locations of the housing of the rearview mirror unit proposed by the second aspect of the invention, specific and respectively in a lower portion of the housing, in an upper one, in the side furthest from the vehicle door, and on the side closest to it,
  • Fig. 9 shows, in perspective, the rearview mirror unit proposed by the second aspect of the invention, for an example of embodiment for which it incorporates two collector assemblies according to the first aspect of the present invention
  • Fig. 11 shows, on the left, the view of Fig. 2a of the sensor assembly together with a coordinate axis and an arrow indicative of the rotational movement that the cap can make, and, on the right, two images captured from the outside for two different positions of the cap.
  • the present invention concerns, in a first aspect, an image capture assembly applicable to a rearview mirror unit 10 Ia which integrates a rearview mirror 11 and a case 12 or carrying case thereof, such as those illustrated by Figs. 4 to 10
  • the image pickup assembly 9 is of the type comprising an electronic pickup device 15 and an associated optics 5, said pickup device 15 being preferably formed by an active part 2, arranged on a printed circuit board 1, such as an array of electronic photocaptors, CCD or CMOS technology.
  • the proposed sensor assembly 9 is intended to be housed, at least in part, fixed inside said box 12 which is provided with an opening 13 through which said sensor device 15 can capture images from the outside, said fixation being able to be carried out. in various ways, as noted above.
  • the image pick-up assembly 9 comprises a support structure of at least said active part 2 of the electronic pick-up device 15 and a light diverting element 6, movably coupled, or capable of being, with at least a degree of freedom to said support structure, to be able to properly orient the light on the photocaptor, regardless of whatever the assembly position of the assembly inside a mirror housing.
  • said support structure comprises a hollow elongated housing 4, with a first open end 4a to which said light deflecting element 6 is coupled, mounted with possibility of rotation, providing the rotation made possible by said assembly a movement with said degree of freedom.
  • said light diverter element 6 is arranged inside a protective cap 7, which has a base 7a adapted to be coupled, in rotary assembly, to said first end 4a of said housing 4, providing the rotation made possible by said rotating assembly a movement with said degree of freedom, and said cap 7 comprising a side opening 8 towards which at least one face 6a of said light deflecting element 6 faces.
  • said plug-in coupling defines a circular inner contour and said first end 4a of said housing 4 defines a circular outer contour, the diameters of said inner and outer contours being adapted to facilitate a plug-in coupling with the possibility of rotation.
  • said base 7a of said cap 7 defines a circular outer contour and said first end 4a of said housing 4 defines a circular inner contour, the diameters of said outer and inner contours being adapted to facilitate coupling to plug with possibility of rotation.
  • said plug-in coupling, with the possibility of rotation is hermetic and carried out by pressure interference.
  • the housing 4 has a second end 4b, also open, to which a base piece 3 retaining, carrying or capable of carrying at least a part 1, 2 of said electronic pickup device 15 is attached , and adapted to be fixed to said second end 4b of said housing 4, so that said active part 2 of the pickup device 15 is oriented towards the inside of the housing 4, and said printed circuit 1 is retained, in position, inside of the housing 4.
  • the aforementioned union of the base part 3 to the housing 4 is preferably hermetic and carried out by plug-in connection, under pressure.
  • said support base part 3 comprises a hole 16 for the passage of power and / or control cables 17, connected, or connected, at one end to said sensor device 15 and possible associated circuitry, and at its other end to a supply and / or external control system to the sensor assembly 9, said hole being preferably sealed once the cables 17 have been passed, in order to maintain the tightness of the sensor assembly 9.
  • said light deflecting element 6 is a mirror disposed in said cap 7 inclined with respect to said side opening 8 and with respect to the base 7a of the cap 7, facing the reflecting face both, the side opening 8 and the one defined by The base 7a, so that the light entering through said lateral opening 8 is reflected towards said active part 2 of the sensing device 15, through said optics 5.
  • said light deflecting element 6 is a prism 6 housed in said cap 7 so that a first 6a of its faces, defined by a first parallelogram, faces said lateral opening 8 and a second 6b of its faces, defined by a second parallelogram, faces the opening defined by the base 7a of the cap 7, so that the light that affects said first face 6a of said prism 6 is diverted towards said second face 6b thereof, from which it goes in the direction towards said active part 2 of the pickup device 15.
  • Said prism 6 is, for the preferred embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1-, triangular, and it comprises a third parallelogram defining a third inclined face 6c facing a closed side 7b of said cap 7, opposite to said side opening 8 (see Figs. 1, 2b and 3a).
  • the bases of said triangular prism 6 are right triangles, although other kinds of triangles that do not comprise a right angle are also possible.
  • said cap 7 is also the less in a triangular part, and said closed side 7b of the cap 7 is inclined and supports, by its inner face, the third face 6c or inclined face of said prism 6.
  • At least one of the faces 6a, 6b, 6c of said prism 6 integrates at least one lens and because it also comprises at least one lens 5a and a diaphragm 5b housed inside said housing 4, and fixed thereto, between the pickup device 15 and said prism 6.
  • the proposed sensor assembly 9 is integrated into a system applied to the detection of the presence of objects, which by means of a suitable electronic system analyzes the captured images, establishing, in said images, a surveillance area or window delimited by a series of points with certain horizontal and vertical coordinates, when the aforementioned simulated tilt effect of the pickup device 15 with respect to the X axis occurs that produced changes in the captured images such as those seen in the two images shown in Fig. 11, if if it is considered necessary, the mentioned window or surveillance area could be adapted by means of the corresponding variation of said coordinates of said series of points that delimit it, or perform another kind of compensatory action of said changes.
  • Said rotation allows the sensor assembly 9 to be mounted along a vertical axis, as seen in Figs. Fig. 4, 5, 6 and 9, or along a horizontal axis, as in Figs. 7, 8 and 10, capturing an image with the same orientation in both cases, simply by turning the cap 7 with respect to the housing 4 of 90 degrees.
  • the proposed sensor assembly 9 preferably has a substantially circular shape, which facilitates that it can eventually be mounted automatically, by means of mechanisms known per se (such as those formed by an engine and a rotating transmission coupled to the housing 4), similar to those used to automatically fold the rearview mirror units with respect to the body of the vehicle.
  • the rotation, a certain angle, of the entire sensor assembly 9 around the Z axis allows to explore different areas of the exterior environment of the vehicle, in order to carry out different tasks with a single sensor assembly 9.
  • the possibility of rotation of the cap 7 (and therefore of the prism 6) with respect to the housing 4 can possibly be offered to the user of the vehicle by accessing the cap 7 as explained above, or preferably to the manufacturer who it assembles collector assemblies 9 in rearview mirror units 10, contemplated in the latter case, if said manufacturer assembles a plurality of collector assemblies 9 in a plurality of similar rearview mirror units 10 of vehicles also the same, an embodiment example (not illustrated ) for which said manufacturer adjusts, by means of said rotation, the orientation of the cap 7 with respect to the housing 4 of one or more collector assemblies 9, and once reached the desired position immobilizes the cap 7 with respect to said housing 4 in the position desired, and takes said desired position as a determined reference position for the rest of the sensor assemblies 9 to be mounted, it does not need therefore, adjust the rest of the sensor assemblies 9, but only position their respective caps 7 in said determined position with respect to their respective housings 4.
  • each cap 7 with respect to its respective housing 4, for example by sealing, or thanks to immobilization means comprised by the sensor assembly 9 (not shown), such as those formed by a tooth or projection comprised in the cap 7 to fit in a corresponding groove defined in the housing 4, or vice versa, or any other conventional fixing means, the said sealing being able to be additionally performed once the cap 7 is correctly positioned , in order to guarantee the tightness of the sensor assembly 9.
  • the light diverter element 6 is removable and interchangeable by another light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of light diverter elements.
  • said light deflecting element 6 is a triangular prism 6, and said light deflecting elements are also triangular prisms of different angular orientation, or equal prisms but constituted by materials or different delimiting surfaces that provide different optical characteristics.
  • the present invention also concerns, in a second aspect, a rearview mirror unit 10 of the type comprising at least one rearview mirror 11 and a case 12 or carrying case thereof, and which in turn houses, at least in part, fixed , an image pickup assembly 9 according to the first aspect of the present invention, said box 12 being provided with an opening 13 through which an electronic pickup device 15, comprised in said pickup set 9, can capture images from outside.
  • Figs. 4 to 8 and 10 illustrate the rearview mirror unit 10 proposed by the second aspect of the present invention for different exemplary embodiments representative of different mounting arrangements of a sensor assembly 9, in different locations of the case or housing 12 carrying the rearview mirror 11.
  • Fig. 5 the sensor assembly 9 is mounted so that its cap 7 protrudes below the rearview mirror unit 10, not interfering with its presence with that of other known sensors, such as the temperature sensor 18 shown schematically there .
  • Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show the same sensor assembly 9 of Fig. 5 mounted, respectively, on the upper part of the box 12, on the side furthest from the vehicle door, and on the side closest to it.
  • a sensor assembly 9 could be used as a detector to monitor a lateral environment, while the other could be used to detect the presence of a vehicle approaching, for example, at a junction, or to directly show the images to the driver by a screen, or to detect the presence of objects to be detected by means of the execution of an image analysis algorithm by a processing unit, not shown.
  • said rearview mirror units 10 comprise several elements inside, such as a motor connected to the rearview mirror 11 to move it, a temperature sensor, etc. All those elements reduce considerably the space available for the assembly of a chamber in its interior, so that it is especially in such cases of reduced spaces when the assembly of the sensor assembly 9 proposed by the first aspect of the invention is considerably advantageous compared to conventional cameras.

Abstract

The capturing assembly (9) comprises a structure for supporting at least one active part of an electronic capturing device, such as a CCD or CMOS camera, and a light-deflecting element (6) coupled movably - or capable of being coupled movably - with at least one degree of freedom, to said support structure, and means for immobilization thereof. The rear-view mirror unit incorporates at least one rear-view mirror (11) and a case (12) carrying said mirror, which internally accommodates an image-capturing assembly (9) in a fixed manner, said casing (12) being provided with an opening (13) through which said light-deflecting element (6) projects or receives light from the exterior for the purposes of deflecting it towards the electronic capturing device (15).

Description

Conjunto captador de imágenes aplicable a una unidad de espejo retrovisor, v unidad de espejo retrovisor Image sensor set applicable to a rearview mirror unit, v rearview mirror unit
Sector de Ia técnica La presente invención concierne en general, en un primer aspecto, a un conjunto captador de imágenes aplicable a una unidad de espejo retrovisor, y en particular a un conjunto captador de imágenes adaptado para ser montado en diferentes ubicaciones de espacios reducidos (en particular debido a Ia presencia de un órgano motor para mover Ia luna del espejo) de distintas carcasas de espejos retrovisores, y con diferentes orientaciones.Sector of the technique The present invention relates in general, in a first aspect, to an image capture set applicable to a rearview mirror unit, and in particular to an image capture set adapted to be mounted in different locations of reduced spaces ( in particular due to the presence of a motor organ to move the mirror moon) of different rearview mirror housings, and with different orientations.
En un segundo aspecto Ia presente invención concierne a una unidad de espejo retrovisor que incorpora uno o más conjuntos captadores de imágenes como el propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención.In a second aspect, the present invention concerns a rearview mirror unit that incorporates one or more image capture sets as proposed by the first aspect of the present invention.
Estado de Ia técnica anteriorState of the prior art
En los últimos años se han diseñado, y en algunos casos ya introducido en el mercado, varios vehículos equipados con sistemas de sensores basados en cámaras.In recent years, several vehicles equipped with camera-based sensor systems have been designed, and in some cases already introduced in the market.
Algunos de estos sistemas están enfocados a Ia supervisión del entorno lateral del vehículo, siendo Ia ubicación preferida de los sensores en general Ia correspondiente a los espejos retrovisores exteriores, ya que estos dispositivos han sido diseñados para complementar Ia función principal del espejo retrovisor, mediante el envío de señales de alarma al conductor relativas a Ia presencia de vehículos que se aproximan aun cuando no son visibles en el propio espejo retrovisor, ya que invaden zonas comprendidas por el ángulo muerto del espejo, es decir las que no cubre el espejo.Some of these systems are focused on the supervision of the lateral environment of the vehicle, the preferred location of the sensors in general being that corresponding to the exterior rearview mirrors, since these devices have been designed to complement the main function of the rearview mirror, by means of the Sending alarm signals to the driver regarding the presence of vehicles approaching even when they are not visible in the rearview mirror itself, since they invade areas covered by the dead angle of the mirror, that is, those that the mirror does not cover.
La integración de tales cámaras en Ia carcasa portadora del espejo, por otra parte, es bastante compleja, ya que su presencia impone cambios relevantes en el diseño del conjunto del espejo retrovisor, originando "bultos" o abombamientos protuberantes en Ia forma externa del conjunto que en general tienden a reducir Ia calidad del diseño y empeoran su aerodinámica. Además, Ia presencia de Ia cámara y Ia necesidad de minimizar las dimensiones del conjunto o unidad de espejo retrovisor, hace que el propio ensamblaje del conjunto de espejo sea también complejo de llevar a cabo.The integration of such cameras in the mirror-bearing housing, on the other hand, is quite complex, since their presence imposes relevant changes in the design of the rearview mirror assembly, causing "bulges" or bulging bulges in the external shape of the assembly that in general they tend to reduce the quality of the design and worsen its aerodynamics. In addition, the presence of the camera and the need to minimize the dimensions of the rearview mirror assembly or unit, makes the assembly of the mirror assembly itself also complex to carry out.
Todos los citados inconvenientes son causados por Ia exigencia de que Ia cámara esté posicionada al lado del espejo o reflector, ya que no resulta práctico intentar que Ia cámara vea a su través, y desplazada angularmente respecto al mismo, ya que debe cubrir un área mayor que Ia que cubre el espejo. Debido a que Ia cámara "mira" a través de su óptica, Ia cual está montada ortogonalmente respecto al circuito integrado o chip de video, toda o casi toda Ia carcasa que aloja a Ia cámara tiene que ser ubicada distanciada lateralmente del espejo, con Ia consiguiente creación de un bulto en Ia carcasa del espejo con el propósito de alojar y cubrir al dispositivo captador que comprende como mínimo Ia cámara junto con su carcasa, e incluso en algunos casos Ia disposición de salientes en Ia propia carcasa del espejo con el fin de actuar a modo de visera para mejorar las condiciones de visión de Ia cámara en situaciones meteorológicas adversas.All the aforementioned inconveniences are caused by the requirement that the camera is positioned next to the mirror or reflector, since it is not practical to try to see the camera through it, and angularly displaced with respect to it, since it must cover a larger area than the one that covers the mirror. Because the camera "looks" through its optics, which is mounted orthogonally with respect to the integrated circuit or video chip, all or almost all of the housing that houses the camera has to be located laterally distanced from the mirror, with the consequent creation of a package in the mirror housing with the purpose of housing and covering the sensor device comprising at least the chamber together with its housing, and even in some cases the arrangement of projections in the mirror housing itself in order to act as a visor to improve the viewing conditions of the camera in adverse weather situations.
Otros de dichos sistemas de sensores basados en cámaras están enfocados a otras aplicaciones, tal como las relativas al uso de cámaras en sistemas de visión que incorporan una o más pantallas para visualizar las imágenes captadas por Ia cámara, ya sea con cámaras instaladas en el frontal o en Ia parte posterior del vehículo para, respectivamente, visionar regiones frontales o posteriores al vehículo, o sustituyendo a los espejos retrovisores exteriores. En estos casos aparecen problemas similares a los arriba mencionados, en el sentido de que Ia instalación de dichas cámaras en el exterior del vehículo también produce protuberancias que reducen Ia calidad del diseño y suponen una carga aerodinámica.Other of said camera-based sensor systems are focused on other applications, such as those related to the use of cameras in vision systems that incorporate one or more screens to visualize the images captured by the camera, either with cameras installed on the front or in the rear part of the vehicle to, respectively, view front or rear regions of the vehicle, or replacing the exterior rearview mirrors. In these cases, problems similar to those mentioned above appear, in the sense that the installation of said cameras outside the vehicle also produces bumps that reduce the quality of the design and assume an aerodynamic load.
Por otra parte también es conocido el uso de prismas asociados operativamente a cámaras instaladas en partes frontales de vehículos, tal como el parachoques delantero, con el fin de que el conductor pueda observar simultáneamente ambos lados de Ia zona delantera del vehículo cuando se aproxima a un cruce o intersección. En este caso el prisma (cuyas bases tienen forma de triángulos isósceles) permiten observar en el mismo monitor o pantalla ambas imágenes provenientes de los lados izquierdo y derecho, proporcionando así una cámara que puede observar dos áreas diferentes a Ia vez. Tal es el caso del dispositivo propuesto por Ia patente US-A-6166764, que concierne a una cámara y un aparato de reconocimiento visual del entorno de un vehículo que utiliza dicha cámara. La cámara propuesta comprende una carcasa con dos ventanas opuestas de entrada de luz externa, un dispositivo captador de imágenes, y, entre otros elementos ópticos, un prisma con forma de triángulo isósceles dispuesto con una de sus caras enfrentada al dispositivo captador de imágenes, y cada una de las otras dos caras enfrentada a una de dichas dos respectivas ventanas, de manera que Ia luz que entra por cada una de las ventanas incide en una respectiva cara del prisma, el cual Ia desvía hacia el dispositivo captador de imágenes. En dicha patente se contempla asimismo el que una de las caras de dicho prisma conforme una lente.On the other hand, it is also known to use prisms operatively associated with cameras installed in front parts of vehicles, such as the front bumper, so that the driver can simultaneously observe both sides of the front area of the vehicle when approaching a crossing or intersection. In this case, the prism (whose bases are in the form of isosceles triangles) allow both images from the left and right sides to be observed on the same monitor or screen, thus providing a camera that can observe two different areas at the same time. Such is the case of the device proposed by US-A-6166764, which concerns a camera and a device for visual recognition of the environment of a vehicle using said camera. The proposed camera comprises a housing with two opposite windows of external light input, an image capturing device, and, among other optical elements, an isosceles triangle shaped prism arranged with one of its faces facing the image capturing device, and each of the other two faces facing one of said two respective windows, so that the light entering through each of the windows affects a respective face of the prism, which deflects towards the image capturing device. Said patent also contemplates that one of the faces of said prism conforms to a lens.
En Ia US-A-6166764 se propone el montaje de una tal cámara en una porción frontal de un vehículo, y su disposición como parte de un sistema de visión que incluye una pantalla, de manera que el usuario del vehículo, cuando se aproxima a un cruce, puede ver en dicha pantalla imágenes provenientes de ambos lados de dicho cruce, a derecha e izquierda de Ia cámara, formadas por Ia luz entrante por ambas ventanas de Ia carcasa de Ia cámara.In US-A-6166764 it is proposed to mount such a camera in a front portion of a vehicle, and its arrangement as part of a vision system that includes a screen, so that the user of the vehicle, when approaching a crossing, you can see on said screen images coming from both sides of said crossing, to the right and left of the camera, formed by the incoming light by both windows of the camera housing.
En dicha patente no se propone Ia incorporación o adaptación de Ia cámara propuesta en un sistema de detección de presencia de objetos susceptibles de colisionar con el vehículo, ni su disposición en el interior de un conjunto de espejo retrovisor, ni Ia posibilidad de poder prescindir de una de las dos ventanas definidas por Ia carcasa que aloja el prisma.Said patent does not propose the incorporation or adaptation of the camera proposed in a system for detecting the presence of objects likely to collide with the vehicle, nor its arrangement inside a rear-view mirror assembly, nor the possibility of being able to dispense with one of the two windows defined by the housing that houses the prism.
Otras similares propuestas aparecen en las patentes US. 6.657.176 y 6.472.995. Por otra parte también son conocidas diferentes disposiciones o sistemas ópticos utilizados para mejorar Ia detección mediante su asociación a una matriz de detectores, tal como de tecnología CCD, aunque no enfocadas al campo de Ia automoción. Tal es el caso de Ia solicitud US-A-2005/0219525 que concierne a un espectrómetro difractivo-refractivo que incorpora una rejilla difractiva y un prisma con una lente integrada entre Ia rejilla y Ia matriz CCD, con el fin de combinar las características refractivas de ambos y así dispersar linealmente Ia radiación electromagnética a Io largo de al menos una porción de un espectro electromagnético. Explicación de Ia invenciónOther similar proposals appear in US patents. 6,657,176 and 6,472,995. On the other hand, different arrangements or optical systems used to improve the detection are also known through their association with a matrix of detectors, such as CCD technology, although not focused on the automotive field. Such is the case of the application US-A-2005/0219525 which concerns a diffractive-refractive spectrometer that incorporates a diffractive grid and a prism with a lens integrated between the grid and the CCD matrix, in order to combine the refractive characteristics of both and thus linearly disperse the electromagnetic radiation along at least a portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. Explanation of the invention
Aparece necesario ofrecer una alternativa al estado de Ia técnica sobre todo en Io referente a diseño de las cámaras, y componentes asociados, a instalar en conjuntos o unidades de espejos retrovisores, en Ia forma de un conjunto captador de imágenes cuyo montaje en una de dichas unidades de espejo retrovisor no requiera que se realicen modificaciones en el diseño de Ia caja o carcasa de Ia misma, en particular en cuanto a incrementar el tamaño de dichas carcasas portadoras de espejos (para habilitar un suficiente alojamiento), que provoca los mencionados "bultos" que empeoran Ia aerodinámica de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor, evitando, o minimizando sobremanera, los hasta ahora necesarios cambios relevantes en el diseño del conjunto del espejo retrovisor impuestos por Ia presencia de cámaras en su interior.It seems necessary to offer an alternative to the state of the art, especially in relation to the design of the cameras, and associated components, to be installed in sets or units of rear-view mirrors, in the form of an image capture assembly whose assembly in one of said Rearview mirror units do not require modifications to be made in the design of the case or housing thereof, in particular in terms of increasing the size of said mirror-bearing housings (to enable sufficient accommodation), which causes the mentioned "packages" "that worsen the aerodynamics of the rearview mirror unit, avoiding, or minimizing greatly, the relevant changes so far necessary in the design of the rearview mirror assembly imposed by the presence of cameras inside.
Para ello Ia presente invención propone, en un primer aspecto, un conjunto captador de imágenes cuyo diseño y estructura especial posibilita su montaje en una gran variedad de unidades de espejo retrovisor de tipo convencional, ocupando un mínimo espacio, con el único requerimiento de que las mismas definan una abertura en su carcasa que posibilite Ia salida de parte del conjunto propuesto o el acceso de Ia luz al interior, pudiendo dicha abertura estar definida en una pluralidad de posiciones distintas de Ia carcasa portadora de espejo retrovisor, en función de Ia forma y configuración de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor, así como de las zonas interiores del mismo donde exista un pequeño espacio en el cual se pueda alojar parte del conjunto propuesto.For this, the present invention proposes, in a first aspect, an image capture assembly whose special design and structure allows its assembly in a large variety of conventional rearview mirror units, occupying a minimum space, with the only requirement that they define an opening in its housing that allows the exit of part of the proposed assembly or the access of the light to the interior, said opening being able to be defined in a plurality of different positions of the rearview mirror carrying housing, depending on the shape and configuration of the rearview mirror unit, as well as the interior areas of the same where there is a small space in which part of the proposed set can be housed.
Ello es posible gracias a que no es necesario que el dispositivo captador (tal como una cámara CCD) comprendido en el conjunto propuesto por Ia presente invención, reciba Ia luz exterior directamente, sino que Ia misma es desviada antes por un elemento desviador que es el que recibe Ia luz directamente del exterior, es decir que el dispositivo captador "mira" en una dirección desplazada angularmente con respecto a un eje ortogonal a su plano captador gracias a dicho elemento desviador, evitando así el comentado arriba distanciamiento lateral de Ia cámara respecto al espejo forzado en el montaje de las cámaras del estado de Ia técnica, ya que el conjunto propuesto puede alojarse en parte tras el espejo, distanciando lateralmente respecto al espejo solamente parte de dicho elemento desviador de Ia luz que sobresale por dicha abertura definida en Ia carcasa portadora del espejo retrovisor.This is possible because it is not necessary that the sensor device (such as a CCD camera) included in the set proposed by the present invention, receives the exterior light directly, but that it is diverted beforehand by a diverting element that is the which receives the light directly from the outside, that is to say that the pickup device "looks" in an angularly displaced direction with respect to an orthogonal axis to its pickup plane thanks to said diverter element, thus avoiding the abovementioned lateral distancing of the chamber from the forced mirror in the assembly of the state-of-the-art cameras, since the proposed assembly can be partially accommodated behind the mirror, distancing laterally from the mirror only part of said light deflecting element that protrudes through said opening defined in the carrier housing of the rearview mirror.
El conjunto captador de imágenes propuesto por Ia presente invención es aplicable a una unidad de espejo retrovisor que integra uno o más espejos retrovisores y una caja o carcasa portadora del mismo, siendo dicho conjunto captador de imágenes del tipo que comprende como mínimo un dispositivo captador electrónico, tal como una matriz de sensores CCD o CMOS, y una óptica asociada, y se encuentra, o es susceptible de ser, alojado, al menos en parte, fijado en el interior de dicha caja, Ia cual, tal como se ha mencionado más arriba, está dotada de una abertura a cuyo través dicho dispositivo captador puede captar imágenes del exterior.The image capture assembly proposed by the present invention is applicable to a rear-view mirror unit that integrates one or more rear-view mirrors and a case or carrying case thereof, said image-collecting assembly of the type comprising at least one electronic capturing device. , such as an array of CCD or CMOS sensors, and an associated optics, and is, or is likely to be, housed, at least in part, fixed inside said box, which, as mentioned more above, it is provided with an opening through which said pickup device can capture images from outside.
Con el fin de posibilitar el mencionado montaje, el conjunto captador de imágenes propuesto por Ia presente invención comprende una estructura de soporte de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico y el mencionado elemento desviador de luz, acoplado de manera móvil, o susceptible de serlo, con al menos un grado de libertad a dicha estructura de soporte, siendo dicho grado de libertad preferentemente el relativo a un movimiento giratorio del elemento desviador de luz respecto a Ia estructura de soporte.In order to enable said assembly, the image pick-up assembly proposed by the present invention comprises a support structure of said electronic pick-up device and said light diverter element, movably coupled, or capable of being, with at least a degree of freedom to said support structure, said degree of freedom being preferably relative to a rotating movement of the light diverter element with respect to the support structure.
Dicho elemento desviador de luz es en general un prisma (aunque para otros ejemplos de realización es un espejo), el cual tiene una forma tal que permite desviar Ia luz exterior que recibe por una de sus caras hacia el dispositivo captador, a través de otra de sus caras.Said light deflecting element is in general a prism (although for other embodiments it is a mirror), which has a shape that allows the exterior light that it receives on one of its faces to be diverted towards the sensing device, through another of their faces.
Las características ópticas del prisma, ya sean debidas a su forma o a su constitución, pueden escogerse en función de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor en Ia cual se deba montar el conjunto captador y de Ia ubicación escogida, para conseguir el ángulo de desviación adecuado, pudiendo también, gracias al comentado movimiento giratorio del prisma respecto a Ia estructura de soporte, variar Ia zona a cubrir por el dispositivo captador.The optical characteristics of the prism, whether due to its shape or its constitution, can be chosen according to the rearview mirror unit in which the sensor assembly and the chosen location must be mounted, to achieve the appropriate angle of deviation, being able to also, thanks to the aforementioned rotating movement of the prism with respect to the support structure, the area to be covered by the pickup device is varied.
Por Io que se refiere a Ia fijación del conjunto captador en el interior de Ia carcasa portadora del espejo retrovisor, ésta puede llevarse a cabo de cualquier manera que un experto en Ia materia convenga, tal como por ejemplo Ia conseguida por mediación de una pasta moldeable adhesiva a pegar tanto al conjunto captador como a Ia carcasa de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor, que pueda adoptar una forma tal que mantenga al conjunto captador en Ia posición y con Ia orientación deseada, u otras que requieran que Ia carcasa portadora del espejo retrovisor comprenda unos medios de fijación propios o adosados, tal como unas pinzas elásticas a acoplar a Ia estructura de soporte del dispositivo captador.As regards the fixation of the sensor assembly inside the carrier housing of the rearview mirror, it can be carried out in any way that an expert in the field agrees, such as, for example, that achieved by means of a moldable paste adhesive to glue both the sensor assembly and the housing of the rearview mirror unit, which it can take a form that keeps the sensor assembly in the position and with the desired orientation, or others that require that the rearview mirror carrier housing comprises its own or attached fixing means, such as elastic clamps to be coupled to the structure of support of the pickup device.
La presente invención también concierne, en un segundo aspecto, a una unidad de espejo retrovisor adaptada para alojar uno o más conjuntos captadores según el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención.The present invention also concerns, in a second aspect, a rearview mirror unit adapted to accommodate one or more collector assemblies according to the first aspect of the present invention.
Breve descripción de los dibujosBrief description of the drawings
Las anteriores y otras ventajas y características se comprenderán más plenamente a partir de Ia siguiente descripción detallada de unos ejemplos de realización con referencia a los dibujos adjuntos, que deben tomarse a título ilustrativo y no limitativo, en los que: Ia Fig. 1 es una vista explosionada del conjunto captador propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención, para un ejemplo de realización, las Figs. 2a y 2b son, respectivamente, upa vista frontal y una lateral del conjunto de Ia Fig. 1 una vez ensamblado, las Figs. 3a y 3b son, respectivamente, una vista trasera y una frontal del capuchón ilustrado en las Figs. 1 y 2, perteneciente al conjunto captador propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención,The above and other advantages and characteristics will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some examples of embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, which should be taken by way of illustration and not limitation, in which: Fig. 1 is a exploded view of the sensor assembly proposed by the first aspect of the present invention, for an exemplary embodiment, Figs. 2a and 2b are, respectively, a front and a side view of the assembly of Fig. 1 once assembled, Figs. 3a and 3b are, respectively, a rear view and a front view of the cap illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, belonging to the sensor set proposed by the first aspect of the present invention,
Ia Fig. 4 es una vista en perspectiva, tomada desde dentro de un vehículo, del conjunto captador propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención montado en una unidad de espejo retrovisor según el segundo aspecto de Ia invención, las Figs. 5 a 8 muestran, en perspectiva, al conjunto captador propuesto montado en diferentes ubicaciones de Ia carcasa de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor propuesta por el segundo aspecto de Ia invención, específica y respectivamente en una porción inferior de Ia carcasa, en una superior, en el lateral más alejado de Ia puerta del vehículo, y en el lateral más próximo a Ia misma,Fig. 4 is a perspective view, taken from within a vehicle, of the sensor assembly proposed by the first aspect of the present invention mounted on a rearview mirror unit according to the second aspect of the invention, Figs. 5 to 8 show, in perspective, the proposed sensor assembly mounted in different locations of the housing of the rearview mirror unit proposed by the second aspect of the invention, specific and respectively in a lower portion of the housing, in an upper one, in the side furthest from the vehicle door, and on the side closest to it,
Ia Fig. 9 muestra, en perspectiva, a Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor propuesta por el segundo aspecto de Ia invención, para un ejemplo de realización para el cual ésta incorpora dos conjuntos captadores según el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención,Fig. 9 shows, in perspective, the rearview mirror unit proposed by the second aspect of the invention, for an example of embodiment for which it incorporates two collector assemblies according to the first aspect of the present invention,
Ia Fig. 10 muestra, en perspectiva, al conjunto captador propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia invención, montado en una unidad de espejo retrovisor según el segundo aspecto, para un ejemplo de realización para el cual, a diferencia de los ejemplos de realización ilustrados por las Figs. 3 a 9, el dispositivo captador cubre un área próxima al lateral del vehículo e inferior al espejo retrovisor, yFig. 10 shows, in perspective, the sensor assembly proposed by the first aspect of the invention, mounted on a rearview mirror unit according to the second aspect, for an embodiment for which, unlike the illustrated embodiments by Figs. 3 to 9, the pickup device covers an area close to the side of the vehicle and lower than the rearview mirror, and
Ia Fig. 11 muestra, a Ia izquierda, Ia vista de Ia Fig. 2a del conjunto captador junto con un eje de coordenadas y una flecha indicativa del movimiento giratorio que el capuchón puede realizar, y, a Ia derecha, dos imágenes captadas del exterior para dos posiciones distintas del capuchón.Fig. 11 shows, on the left, the view of Fig. 2a of the sensor assembly together with a coordinate axis and an arrow indicative of the rotational movement that the cap can make, and, on the right, two images captured from the outside for two different positions of the cap.
Descripción detallada de unos ejemplos de realización La presente invención concierne, en un primer aspecto, a un conjunto captador de imágenes aplicable a una unidad de espejo retrovisor 10 Ia cual integra un espejo retrovisor 11 y una caja 12 o carcasa portadora del mismo, tal como las ilustradas por las Figs. 4 a 10.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT The present invention concerns, in a first aspect, an image capture assembly applicable to a rearview mirror unit 10 Ia which integrates a rearview mirror 11 and a case 12 or carrying case thereof, such as those illustrated by Figs. 4 to 10
Como puede observarse en Ia Fig. 1 el conjunto captador de imágenes 9 es del tipo que comprende un dispositivo captador electrónico 15 y una óptica asociada 5, estando formado dicho dispositivo captador 15 preferentemente por una parte activa 2, dispuesta sobre una placa de circuito impreso 1 , tal como una matriz de fotocaptadores electrónicos, de tecnología CCD o CMOS.As can be seen in Fig. 1, the image pickup assembly 9 is of the type comprising an electronic pickup device 15 and an associated optics 5, said pickup device 15 being preferably formed by an active part 2, arranged on a printed circuit board 1, such as an array of electronic photocaptors, CCD or CMOS technology.
El conjunto captador 9 propuesto está pensado para alojarse, al menos en parte, fijado en el interior de dicha caja 12 que está dotada de una abertura 13 a cuyo través dicho dispositivo captador 15 puede captar imágenes del exterior, pudiendo ser dicha fijación llevada a cabo de diversas maneras, tal y como se ha apuntado anteriormente.The proposed sensor assembly 9 is intended to be housed, at least in part, fixed inside said box 12 which is provided with an opening 13 through which said sensor device 15 can capture images from the outside, said fixation being able to be carried out. in various ways, as noted above.
El conjunto captador de imágenes 9 comprende una estructura de soporte de al menos dicha parte activa 2 del dispositivo captador electrónico 15 y un elemento desviador de luz 6, acoplado de manera móvil, o susceptible de serlo, con como mínimo un grado de libertad a dicha estructura de soporte, para poder orientar adecuadamente Ia luz sobre el fotocaptador, independientemente de cual sea Ia posición de montaje del conjunto en el interior de una carcasa de espejo.The image pick-up assembly 9 comprises a support structure of at least said active part 2 of the electronic pick-up device 15 and a light diverting element 6, movably coupled, or capable of being, with at least a degree of freedom to said support structure, to be able to properly orient the light on the photocaptor, regardless of whatever the assembly position of the assembly inside a mirror housing.
Para los ejemplos de realización ilustrado, ver Fig. 1, dicha estructura de soporte comprende una carcasa alargada hueca 4, con un primer extremo abierto 4a al cual se halla acoplado, montado con posibilidad de giro, dicho elemento desviador de luz 6, proporcionando el giro posibilitado por dicho montaje un movimiento con dicho grado de libertad.For the illustrated embodiments, see Fig. 1, said support structure comprises a hollow elongated housing 4, with a first open end 4a to which said light deflecting element 6 is coupled, mounted with possibility of rotation, providing the rotation made possible by said assembly a movement with said degree of freedom.
Tal como se aprecia sobre todo en las Figs. 1 y 2a dicho elemento desviador de luz 6 va dispuesto en el interior de un capuchón protector 7, el cual posee una base 7a adaptada para acoplarse, en montaje giratorio, a dicho primer extremo 4a de dicha carcasa 4, proporcionando el giro posibilitado por dicho montaje giratorio un movimiento con dicho grado de libertad, y comprendiendo dicho capuchón 7 una abertura lateral 8 hacia Ia cual al menos una cara 6a de dicho elemento desviador de luz 6 se halla enfrentado. Para el ejemplo de realización ilustrado dicha base 7a de dicho capuchónAs seen above all in Figs. 1 and 2a said light diverter element 6 is arranged inside a protective cap 7, which has a base 7a adapted to be coupled, in rotary assembly, to said first end 4a of said housing 4, providing the rotation made possible by said rotating assembly a movement with said degree of freedom, and said cap 7 comprising a side opening 8 towards which at least one face 6a of said light deflecting element 6 faces. For the illustrated exemplary embodiment said base 7a of said cap
7 define un contorno interior circular y dicho primer extremo 4a de dicha carcasa 4 define un contorno exterior circular, siendo los diámetros de dichos contomos interior y exterior adaptados para facilitar un acoplamiento a enchufe con posibilidad de giro. Para otro ejemplo de realización, no ilustrado, dicha base 7a de dicho capuchón 7 define un contorno exterior circular y dicho primer extremo 4a de dicha carcasa 4 define un contorno interior circular, siendo los diámetros de dichos contornos exterior e interior adaptados para facilitar un acoplamiento a enchufe con posibilidad de giro. Preferentemente dicho acoplamiento a enchufe, con posibilidad de giro, es hermético y llevado a cabo por interferencia a presión.7 defines a circular inner contour and said first end 4a of said housing 4 defines a circular outer contour, the diameters of said inner and outer contours being adapted to facilitate a plug-in coupling with the possibility of rotation. For another exemplary embodiment, not illustrated, said base 7a of said cap 7 defines a circular outer contour and said first end 4a of said housing 4 defines a circular inner contour, the diameters of said outer and inner contours being adapted to facilitate coupling to plug with possibility of rotation. Preferably said plug-in coupling, with the possibility of rotation, is hermetic and carried out by pressure interference.
Tal y como se aprecia en Ia Fig. 1 Ia carcasa 4 tiene un segundo extremo 4b, también abierto, al que va unida una pieza base 3 retenedora, portadora o susceptible de portar al menos una parte 1 , 2 de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico 15, y adaptada para fijarse a dicho segundo extremo 4b de dicha carcasa 4, de manera que dicha parte activa 2 del dispositivo captador 15 quede orientada hacia el interior de Ia carcasa 4, y dicho circuito impreso 1 quede retenido, en posición, en el interior de Ia carcasa 4. La mencionada unión de Ia pieza base 3 a Ia carcasa 4 es preferentemente hermética y realizada por acoplamiento a enchufe, a presión.As can be seen in Fig. 1, the housing 4 has a second end 4b, also open, to which a base piece 3 retaining, carrying or capable of carrying at least a part 1, 2 of said electronic pickup device 15 is attached , and adapted to be fixed to said second end 4b of said housing 4, so that said active part 2 of the pickup device 15 is oriented towards the inside of the housing 4, and said printed circuit 1 is retained, in position, inside of the housing 4. The aforementioned union of the base part 3 to the housing 4 is preferably hermetic and carried out by plug-in connection, under pressure.
Puede apreciarse en Ia Fig. 1 cómo dicha pieza base de soporte 3 comprende un orificio 16 para el paso de unos cables 17 de alimentación y/o control, conectados, o a conectar, por un extremo a dicho dispositivo captador 15 y posible circuitería asociada, y por su otro extremo a un sistema de alimentación y/o control externo al conjunto captador 9, siendo preferentemente sellado dicho orifico una vez pasados los cables 17, con el fin de mantener Ia estanqueidad del conjunto captador 9. Para un ejemplo de realización, no ilustrado, dicho elemento desviador de luz 6 es un espejo dispuesto en dicho capuchón 7 de manera inclinada respecto a dicha abertura lateral 8 y respecto a Ia base 7a del capuchón 7, encarando Ia cara reflectante ambas, Ia abertura lateral 8 y Ia definida por Ia base 7a, de manera que Ia luz que entra por dicha abertura lateral 8 es reflejada hacia dicha parte activa 2 del dispositivo captador 15, a través de dicha óptica 5.It can be seen in Fig. 1 how said support base part 3 comprises a hole 16 for the passage of power and / or control cables 17, connected, or connected, at one end to said sensor device 15 and possible associated circuitry, and at its other end to a supply and / or external control system to the sensor assembly 9, said hole being preferably sealed once the cables 17 have been passed, in order to maintain the tightness of the sensor assembly 9. For an embodiment example, not illustrated, said light deflecting element 6 is a mirror disposed in said cap 7 inclined with respect to said side opening 8 and with respect to the base 7a of the cap 7, facing the reflecting face both, the side opening 8 and the one defined by The base 7a, so that the light entering through said lateral opening 8 is reflected towards said active part 2 of the sensing device 15, through said optics 5.
Para un ejemplo de realización preferida e ilustrado por varias de las figuras adjuntas (ver sobre todo Ia Fig. 1) dicho elemento desviador de luz 6 es un prisma 6 alojado en dicho capuchón 7 de manera que una primera 6a de sus caras, definida por un primer paralelogramo, encara dicha abertura lateral 8 y una segunda 6b de sus caras, definida por un segundo paralelogramo, encara Ia abertura definida por Ia base 7a del capuchón 7, de manera que Ia luz que incide en dicha primera cara 6a de dicho prisma 6 es desviada hacia dicha segunda cara 6b del mismo, de Ia que sale en dirección hacia dicha parte activa 2 del dispositivo captador 15. El mencionado prisma 6 es, para el ejemplo de realización preferida ilustrado por Ia Fig. 1-, triangular, y comprende un tercer paralelogramo que define una tercera cara 6c inclinada encarada hacia un lateral cerrado 7b de dicho capuchón 7, opuesto a dicha abertura lateral 8 (ver Figs. 1 , 2b y 3a).For a preferred embodiment and illustrated by several of the attached figures (see above all FIG. 1) said light deflecting element 6 is a prism 6 housed in said cap 7 so that a first 6a of its faces, defined by a first parallelogram, faces said lateral opening 8 and a second 6b of its faces, defined by a second parallelogram, faces the opening defined by the base 7a of the cap 7, so that the light that affects said first face 6a of said prism 6 is diverted towards said second face 6b thereof, from which it goes in the direction towards said active part 2 of the pickup device 15. Said prism 6 is, for the preferred embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1-, triangular, and it comprises a third parallelogram defining a third inclined face 6c facing a closed side 7b of said cap 7, opposite to said side opening 8 (see Figs. 1, 2b and 3a).
Como se aprecia en Ia Fig. 1 las bases de dicho prisma triangular 6 son triángulos rectángulos, aunque otra clase de triángulos que no comprendan un ángulo recto también son posibles.As can be seen in Fig. 1, the bases of said triangular prism 6 are right triangles, although other kinds of triangles that do not comprise a right angle are also possible.
También puede observase, sobre todo en las Figs. 1 , 2a y 3, cómo para el ejemplo de realización preferido allí ilustrado, dicho capuchón 7 también es al menos en parte triangular, y dicho lateral cerrado 7b del capuchón 7 es inclinado y soporta, por su cara interior, a Ia tercera cara 6c o cara inclinada de dicho prisma 6.It can also be observed, especially in Figs. 1, 2a and 3, how for the preferred embodiment illustrated therein, said cap 7 is also the less in a triangular part, and said closed side 7b of the cap 7 is inclined and supports, by its inner face, the third face 6c or inclined face of said prism 6.
Para un ejemplo de realización al menos una de las caras 6a, 6b, 6c de dicho prisma 6 integra al menos una lente, en concreto para el ejemplo de realización ilustrado por Ia Fig. 1 Ia segunda cara 6b integra una lente como pretende ilustrar el abombamiento de Ia cara 6b.For an exemplary embodiment at least one of the faces 6a, 6b, 6c of said prism 6 integrates at least one lens, specifically for the exemplary embodiment illustrated by Fig. 1 the second face 6b integrates a lens as intended to illustrate the bulging of the face 6b.
Al menos una de las caras 6a, 6b, 6c de dicho prisma 6 integra al menos una lente y porque comprende además al menos una lente 5a y un diafragma 5b alojados en el interior de dicha carcasa 4, y fijados a Ia misma, entre el dispositivo captador 15 y dicho prisma 6.At least one of the faces 6a, 6b, 6c of said prism 6 integrates at least one lens and because it also comprises at least one lens 5a and a diaphragm 5b housed inside said housing 4, and fixed thereto, between the pickup device 15 and said prism 6.
Se aprecia también en Ia vista explosionada de Ia Fig. 1 cómo el conjunto captador 9 propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención comprende, a modo de óptica 5, una lente 5a y un diafragma 5b alojados en el interior de Ia carcasa 4, y fijados a Ia misma, entre el dispositivo captador 15 y el elemento desviador de luz 6, pudiendo en este caso prescindir de Ia citada integración de una lente en Ia segunda cara 6b del prisma 6 (ejemplo de realización no ilustrado), o incorporar ambas Ia lente 5a y Ia integrada en Ia segunda cara 6b del prisma, tal y como se ilustra en Ia Fig. 1 El conjunto captador 9 propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia invención está adaptado para ser montado en el interior de Ia caja o carcasa 12 portadora de dicho espejo retrovisor 11 , cooperando con unos medios de fijación (ya sean por ejemplo Ia mencionada arriba pasta moldeable adhesiva o unos medios de fijación dispuestos en Ia propia carcasa portadora 12, tal como las mencionadas pinzas) para ser fijado de manera que al menos una parte de dicho capuchón 7 (preferentemente Ia totalidad del capuchón) sobresalga a través de dicha abertura 13 de Ia caja portadora 12, tal y como se aprecia en las diferentes disposiciones de montaje ilustradas en las Figs. 4 a 10, quedando así dicho capuchón 7 accesible para que pueda ser girado, y con él el elemento desviador de luz 6, respecto a dicha caja o carcasa 12 hasta adoptar una orientación adecuada para captar una imagen deseada.It is also seen in the exploded view of Fig. 1 how the sensor assembly 9 proposed by the first aspect of the present invention comprises, as an optic 5, a lens 5a and a diaphragm 5b housed inside the housing 4, and fixed thereto, between the sensing device 15 and the light diverter element 6, being able in this case to dispense with the aforementioned integration of a lens on the second face 6b of the prism 6 (exemplary embodiment not illustrated), or incorporate both The lens 5a and Ia integrated in the second face 6b of the prism, as illustrated in Fig. 1 The sensor assembly 9 proposed by the first aspect of the invention is adapted to be mounted inside the case or housing 12 carrier of said rearview mirror 11, cooperating with fixing means (either for example the one mentioned above adhesive moldable paste or fixing means arranged in the carrier case 12 itself, such as the said tweezers) pa R be fixed so that at least a part of said cap 7 (preferably the entire cap) protrudes through said opening 13 of the carrier box 12, as can be seen in the different mounting arrangements illustrated in Figs. 4 to 10, said cap 7 thus being accessible so that it can be rotated, and with it the light diverter element 6, with respect to said box or housing 12 until an appropriate orientation is adopted to capture a desired image.
El conjunto captador 9 también está adaptado para ser montado en el interior de dicha caja 12 portadora de dicho espejo retrovisor 11 , cooperando con unos medios de fijación para ser fijado de manera que dicha abertura lateral 8 del capuchón 7 quede enfrentada a dicha abertura 13 de Ia caja portadora 12, y pueda recibir Ia luz exterior de manera que incida directamente sobre dicha primera cara 6a del prisma 6. Es necesario resaltar que el mencionado montaje giratorio del capuchónThe sensor assembly 9 is also adapted to be mounted inside said housing 12 carrying said rearview mirror 11, cooperating with fixing means to be fixed so that said lateral opening 8 of the cap 7 is facing said opening 13 of the carrier box 12, and can receive the exterior light so that it directly affects said first face 6a of the prism 6. It is necessary to highlight that the aforementioned rotating cap assembly
7, y por ende del prisma 6, respecto a Ia carcasa 4, permite ajustar Ia orientación del punto de visión del dispositivo captador 15 sin Ia necesidad de mover al propio dispositivo captador 15, sino solamente haciendo girar al capuchón 7 con respecto a Ia carcasa 4, alrededor del eje Z (ver Fig. 11). Este giro simula el efecto que se produciría si el dispositivo captador 15 se inclinase respecto al eje X ilustrado en Ia Fig. 11 , efecto ilustrado a modo de ejemplo por las dos imágenes mostradas en Ia Fig. 11 , a Ia derecha, que han sido captadas del exterior con orientaciones ligeramente diferentes obtenidas al girar el capuchón 7 también ligeramente. Si el conjunto captador 9 propuesto se integra en un sistema aplicado a Ia detección de presencia de objetos, el cual mediante un sistema electrónico adecuado analiza las imágenes captadas, estableciendo, en dichas imágenes, un área o ventana de vigilancia delimitada por una serie de puntos con unas determinadas coordenadas horizontales y verticales, al producirse el citado arriba efecto simulado de inclinación del dispositivo captador 15 respecto al eje X que produjese unos cambios en las imágenes captadas tales como los apreciados en las dos imágenes mostradas en Ia Fig. 11 , si se considerase necesario se podría adaptar Ia citada ventana o área de vigilancia mediante Ia correspondiente variación de dichas coordenadas de dicha serie de puntos que Ia delimitan, o realizar otra clase de acción compensatoria de dichos cambios.7, and therefore from the prism 6, with respect to the housing 4, allows to adjust the orientation of the viewing point of the pickup device 15 without the need to move to the pickup device 15 itself, but only by rotating the cap 7 with respect to the housing 4, around the Z axis (see Fig. 11). This rotation simulates the effect that would occur if the pickup device 15 inclined with respect to the X axis illustrated in Fig. 11, an effect illustrated by way of example by the two images shown in Fig. 11, to the right, which have been caught from the outside with slightly different orientations obtained by turning the cap 7 also slightly. If the proposed sensor assembly 9 is integrated into a system applied to the detection of the presence of objects, which by means of a suitable electronic system analyzes the captured images, establishing, in said images, a surveillance area or window delimited by a series of points with certain horizontal and vertical coordinates, when the aforementioned simulated tilt effect of the pickup device 15 with respect to the X axis occurs that produced changes in the captured images such as those seen in the two images shown in Fig. 11, if if it is considered necessary, the mentioned window or surveillance area could be adapted by means of the corresponding variation of said coordinates of said series of points that delimit it, or perform another kind of compensatory action of said changes.
Dicho giro permite montar al conjunto captador 9 a Io largo de un eje vertical, como se ve en las Figs. Fig. 4, 5, 6 y 9, o a Io largo de un eje horizontal, como en las Figs. 7, 8 y 10, captando una imagen con Ia misma orientación en ambos casos, simplemente mediante un giro del capuchón 7 respecto a Ia carcasa 4 de 90 grados.Said rotation allows the sensor assembly 9 to be mounted along a vertical axis, as seen in Figs. Fig. 4, 5, 6 and 9, or along a horizontal axis, as in Figs. 7, 8 and 10, capturing an image with the same orientation in both cases, simply by turning the cap 7 with respect to the housing 4 of 90 degrees.
El conjunto captador 9 propuesto tiene una forma, con preferencia, substancialmente circular, Io cual facilita que eventualmente pueda montarse de manera automática, por mediación de mecanismo en sí conocidos (tales como los formados por un motor y una transmisión giratoria acoplada a Ia carcasa 4), similares a los usados para plegar automáticamente las unidades de espejos retrovisores respecto al cuerpo del vehículo. La rotación, un cierto ángulo, de todo el conjunto captador 9 alrededor del eje Z (ver Fig. 11) permite explorar diferentes áreas del entorno exterior del vehículo, con el fin de llevar a cabo diferentes tareas con un único conjunto captador 9.The proposed sensor assembly 9 preferably has a substantially circular shape, which facilitates that it can eventually be mounted automatically, by means of mechanisms known per se (such as those formed by an engine and a rotating transmission coupled to the housing 4), similar to those used to automatically fold the rearview mirror units with respect to the body of the vehicle. The rotation, a certain angle, of the entire sensor assembly 9 around the Z axis (see Fig. 11) allows to explore different areas of the exterior environment of the vehicle, in order to carry out different tasks with a single sensor assembly 9.
Según Ia aplicación, Ia posibilidad de giro del capuchón 7 (y por ende del prisma 6) respecto a Ia carcasa 4 puede ofrecérsele eventualmente al usuario del vehículo accediendo al capuchón 7 tal y como se ha explicado arriba, o de manera preferente al fabricante que monta conjuntos captadores 9 en unidades de espejos retrovisores 10, contemplándose en este último caso, si dicho fabricante monta una pluralidad de conjuntos captadores 9 en una pluralidad de unidades de espejos retrovisores 10 iguales de vehículos también ¡guales, un ejemplo de realización (no ilustrado) para el cual dicho fabricante ajusta, mediante el citado giro, Ia orientación del capuchón 7 respecto a Ia carcasa 4 de uno o más conjuntos captadores 9, y una vez alcanzada Ia posición deseada inmoviliza al capuchón 7 respecto a dicha carcasa 4 en Ia posición deseada, y toma dicha posición deseada como una posición determinada de referencia para el resto de conjuntos captadores 9 a montar, no necesitándose por tanto ajustar el resto de conjuntos captadores 9, sino tan sólo posicionar sus respectivos capuchones 7 en dicha posición determinada respecto a sus respectivas carcasas 4.According to the application, the possibility of rotation of the cap 7 (and therefore of the prism 6) with respect to the housing 4 can possibly be offered to the user of the vehicle by accessing the cap 7 as explained above, or preferably to the manufacturer who it assembles collector assemblies 9 in rearview mirror units 10, contemplated in the latter case, if said manufacturer assembles a plurality of collector assemblies 9 in a plurality of similar rearview mirror units 10 of vehicles also the same, an embodiment example (not illustrated ) for which said manufacturer adjusts, by means of said rotation, the orientation of the cap 7 with respect to the housing 4 of one or more collector assemblies 9, and once reached the desired position immobilizes the cap 7 with respect to said housing 4 in the position desired, and takes said desired position as a determined reference position for the rest of the sensor assemblies 9 to be mounted, it does not need therefore, adjust the rest of the sensor assemblies 9, but only position their respective caps 7 in said determined position with respect to their respective housings 4.
Para este último caso es posible, una vez alcanzada dicha posición determinada, inmovilizar a cada capuchón 7 respecto a su respectiva carcasa 4, por ejemplo mediante sellado, o gracias a unos medios de inmovilización comprendidos por el conjunto captador 9 (no ilustrados), tal como los formados por un diente o saliente comprendido en el capuchón 7 a encajar en una correspondiente hendidura definida en Ia carcasa 4, o viceversa, o cualquier otro medio de fijación convencional, pudiendo adicionalmente realizar el mencionado sellado una vez el capuchón 7 está correctamente posicionado, con el fin de garantizar Ia estanqueidad del conjunto captador 9.For this last case it is possible, once said determined position has been achieved, to immobilize each cap 7 with respect to its respective housing 4, for example by sealing, or thanks to immobilization means comprised by the sensor assembly 9 (not shown), such as those formed by a tooth or projection comprised in the cap 7 to fit in a corresponding groove defined in the housing 4, or vice versa, or any other conventional fixing means, the said sealing being able to be additionally performed once the cap 7 is correctly positioned , in order to guarantee the tightness of the sensor assembly 9.
Por diferentes razones, tal como las relativas a facilitar el montaje del conjunto captador 9 propuesto en una pluralidad de unidades de espejos retrovisores 10 distintas, y a ser montadas en vehículos distintos, o simplemente para posibilitar el variar Ia zona a cubrir por el conjunto captador 9 no solamente mediante el comentado giro del capuchón 7 o mediante Ia disposición de montaje de todo el conjunto 9 en Ia carcasa portadora 12, Ia presente invención propone, según el primer aspecto, unos ejemplos de realización para los cuales el conjunto captador 9 es modular, pudiendo intercambiarse, si se desea, todos o algunos de los componentes que conforman el conjunto captador 9, ilustrados en Ia Fig. 1.For different reasons, such as those related to facilitating the assembly of the proposed sensor assembly 9 in a plurality of mirror units different mirrors 10, whether to be mounted on different vehicles, or simply to enable the area to be covered to be varied by the sensor assembly 9 not only by the commented rotation of the cap 7 or by the assembly arrangement of the entire assembly 9 in the carrier housing 12, the present invention proposes, according to the first aspect, some embodiments for which the sensor assembly 9 is modular, all or some of the components that make up the sensor assembly 9, illustrated in FIG. . one.
Para un ejemplo de realización relativo a dicha modularidad del conjunto captador 9, el elemento desviador de luz 6 es extraíble e intercambiable por otro elemento desviador de luz de diferentes características ópticas, seleccionable de entre una pluralidad de elementos desviadores de luz.For an exemplary embodiment related to said modularity of the sensor assembly 9, the light diverter element 6 is removable and interchangeable by another light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of light diverter elements.
Si dicho elemento desviador de luz 6 es portado por un capuchón 7, para un ejemplo de realización el capuchón 7 es extraíble e intercambiable por otro capuchón portador de un elemento desviador de luz de diferentes características ópticas, seleccionable de entre una pluralidad de elementos desviadores de luz, y para otro ejemplo de realización el capuchón 7 es extraíble con el fin de intercambiar dicho elemento desviador de luz 6 por otro elemento desviador de luz de diferentes características ópticas, seleccionable de entre una pluralidad de elementos desviadores de luz, conservando el mismo capuchón 7, por estar éste adaptado para alojar tanto al elemento desviador de luz 6 originario como al que Io sustituye.If said light diverter element 6 is carried by a cap 7, for one embodiment the cap 7 is removable and interchangeable by another cap carrying a light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of diverter elements of light, and for another embodiment the cap 7 is removable in order to exchange said light diverter element 6 for another light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of light diverter elements, retaining the same hood 7, since it is adapted to accommodate both the original light diverter element 6 and the one it replaces.
Para un ejemplo de realización dicho elemento desviador de luz 6, tal y como se ha explicado más arriba, es un prisma triangular 6, y dichos elementos desviadores de luz también son prismas triangulares y de orientación angular diferente, o prismas iguales pero constituidos por materiales o superficies delimitadoras distintos que proporcionan unas características ópticas diferentes. Con Ia citada modularidad se consigue que pueda personalizarse en gran manera un conjunto de captación 9 para una pluralidad de aplicaciones distintas, obteniendo cada usuario, si así Io desea, un conjunto captador 9 a Ia medida de sus deseos o necesidades.For an exemplary embodiment said light deflecting element 6, as explained above, is a triangular prism 6, and said light deflecting elements are also triangular prisms of different angular orientation, or equal prisms but constituted by materials or different delimiting surfaces that provide different optical characteristics. With said modularity it is achieved that a collection set 9 can be greatly customized for a plurality of different applications, each user obtaining, if desired, a sensor set 9 tailored to their wishes or needs.
Para un ejemplo de realización el conjunto captador 9 propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención está adaptado para ser integrado en un sistema aplicado a Ia detección de presencia de objetos susceptibles de colisionar con el vehículo portador de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor 10, en un determinado campo de vigilancia, cubriendo por Io menos un ángulo muerto, para cuyo caso el sistema óptico asociado 5, 6 que comprende dicho prisma 6, diafragma 5b y lente 5a es, con preferencia, apto para detectar un vehículo a 70 m de distancia y para cubrir un campo de visión horizontal de aproximadamente 64 grados y un campo de visión vertical de aproximadamente 38 grados.For an exemplary embodiment, the sensor assembly 9 proposed by the first aspect of the present invention is adapted to be integrated in a system applied to the detection of the presence of objects capable of colliding with the carrier vehicle of the rearview mirror unit 10, in a certain surveillance field, covering at least a blind angle, for which case the associated optical system 5, 6 that said prism 6 comprises, diaphragm 5b and lens 5a is preferably suitable for detecting a vehicle 70 m away and for covering a horizontal field of vision of approximately 64 degrees and a vertical field of vision of approximately 38 degrees.
Para otro ejemplo de realización el conjunto captador 9 propuesto por Ia presente invención está adaptado para ser integrado en un sistema de visión con una pantalla para que el usuario del vehículo pueda visualizar directamente las imágenes captadas por el dispositivo captador electrónico 15.For another embodiment, the sensor assembly 9 proposed by the present invention is adapted to be integrated into a vision system with a screen so that the vehicle user can directly visualize the images captured by the electronic sensor device 15.
La presente invención también concierne, en un segundo aspecto a una unidad de espejo retrovisor 10 del tipo que comprende al menos un espejo retrovisor 11 y una caja 12 o carcasa portadora del mismo, y que a su vez aloja, al menos en parte, fijado, un conjunto captador de imágenes 9 según el primer aspecto de Ia presente invención, estando dicha caja 12 dotada de una abertura 13 a cuyo través un dispositivo captador electrónico 15, comprendido en dicho conjunto captador 9, puede captar imágenes del exterior.The present invention also concerns, in a second aspect, a rearview mirror unit 10 of the type comprising at least one rearview mirror 11 and a case 12 or carrying case thereof, and which in turn houses, at least in part, fixed , an image pickup assembly 9 according to the first aspect of the present invention, said box 12 being provided with an opening 13 through which an electronic pickup device 15, comprised in said pickup set 9, can capture images from outside.
Las Figs. 4 a 8 y 10 ilustran a Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor 10 propuesta por el segundo aspecto de Ia presente invención para diferentes ejemplos de realización representativos de distintas disposiciones de montaje de un conjunto captador 9, en diferentes ubicaciones de Ia caja o carcasa 12 portadora del espejo retrovisor 11.Figs. 4 to 8 and 10 illustrate the rearview mirror unit 10 proposed by the second aspect of the present invention for different exemplary embodiments representative of different mounting arrangements of a sensor assembly 9, in different locations of the case or housing 12 carrying the rearview mirror 11.
En Ia Fig. 4 puede apreciarse cómo el conjunto de captación 9 allí ilustrado es casi inapreciable visualmente desde Ia posición del conductor, y no afecta en absoluto a Ia visión del espejo retrovisor 11 , al quedar en gran medida oculto tras éste.In Fig. 4 it can be seen how the collection assembly 9 illustrated therein is almost visually insignificant from the driver's position, and does not affect at all the vision of the rearview mirror 11, being largely hidden behind it.
En Ia Fig. 5 el conjunto captador 9 se halla montado de manera que su capuchón 7 sobresale por debajo de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor 10, no interfiriendo su presencia con Ia de otros sensores conocidos, tales como el sensor de temperatura 18 allí ilustrado esquemáticamente.In Fig. 5 the sensor assembly 9 is mounted so that its cap 7 protrudes below the rearview mirror unit 10, not interfering with its presence with that of other known sensors, such as the temperature sensor 18 shown schematically there .
Por Io que respecta a las Figs. 6, 7 y 8, éstas muestran al mismo conjunto captador 9 de Ia Fig. 5 montado, respectivamente, en Ia parte superior de Ia caja 12, en el lateral más alejado de Ia puerta del vehículo, y en el lateral más próximo a Ia misma.As regards Figs. 6, 7 and 8, these show the same sensor assembly 9 of Fig. 5 mounted, respectively, on the upper part of the box 12, on the side furthest from the vehicle door, and on the side closest to it.
Haciendo referencia a Ia Fig. 10, ésta muestra, en perspectiva, al conjunto captador propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia invención, montado en una unidad de espejo retrovisor según el segundo aspecto, para un ejemplo de realización para el cual el dispositivo captador cubre un área próxima al lateral del vehículo e inferior al espejo retrovisor. Esta disposición es de utilidad en países como Japón, que han introducido recientemente una directiva encaminada a mejorar Ia visibilidad para el conductor, que implica en algunos casos montar un sistema adicional de visión formado por una o más cámaras y una pantalla para mostrarle al conductor el área más próxima al vehículo, e incluso por debajo del espejo retrovisor del lado del acompañante.Referring to FIG. 10, this shows, in perspective, the sensor assembly proposed by the first aspect of the invention, mounted on a rearview mirror unit according to the second aspect, for an embodiment example for which the sensor device covers an area close to the side of the vehicle and lower than the rearview mirror. This provision is useful in countries such as Japan, which have recently introduced a directive aimed at improving visibility for the driver, which in some cases involves mounting an additional vision system consisting of one or more cameras and a screen to show the driver the area closest to the vehicle, and even below the rearview mirror on the passenger side.
Para el ejemplo de realización ilustrado por Ia Fig. 9, dicha caja 12 aloja dos conjuntos captadores de imágenes 9, y define dos aberturas 13, 19 a cuyo través dos dispositivos captadores electrónicos 15, comprendido cada uno en uno de dichos conjuntos captadores 9, pueden captar imágenes del exterior, cada dispositivo 15 a través de una de dichas aberturas 13, 19, cubriendo dos zonas de captación distintas, o iguales para el caso de desear obtener imágenes estereoscópicas mediante Ia combinación de las señales de salida obtenidas por cada dispositivo captador 15, para realizar un tratamiento adicional para estimar mejor Ia distancia de los vehículos a detectar, por ejemplo.For the exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIG. 9, said box 12 houses two image pickup assemblies 9, and defines two openings 13, 19 through which two electronic pickup devices 15, each comprised in one of said pickup assemblies 9, They can capture images from the outside, each device 15 through one of said openings 13, 19, covering two different capture areas, or the same in the case of wishing to obtain stereoscopic images by combining the output signals obtained by each sensor device 15, to perform an additional treatment to better estimate the distance of the vehicles to be detected, for example.
En Ia Fig. 9, no obstante, se muestra un ejemplo de realización para el cual los conjuntos de captación 9 están orientados con ángulos diferentes para cubrir dos áreas diferentes del entorno exterior. Por ejemplo, un conjunto captador 9 podría utilizarse como un detector para supervisar un entorno lateral, mientras que el otro podría ser utilizado para detectar Ia presencia de un vehículo aproximándose, por ejemplo, en un cruce, o para mostrar directamente las imágenes al conductor mediante una pantalla, o para detectar Ia presencia de objetos a detectar mediante Ia ejecución de un algoritmo de análisis de imágenes por parte de una unidad de procesamiento, no mostrada.In Fig. 9, however, an example of embodiment is shown for which the collection assemblies 9 are oriented with different angles to cover two different areas of the external environment. For example, a sensor assembly 9 could be used as a detector to monitor a lateral environment, while the other could be used to detect the presence of a vehicle approaching, for example, at a junction, or to directly show the images to the driver by a screen, or to detect the presence of objects to be detected by means of the execution of an image analysis algorithm by a processing unit, not shown.
En general dichas unidades de espejos retrovisores 10 comprenden varios elementos en su interior, tal como un motor conectado al retrovisor 11 para desplazarlo, un sensor de temperatura, etc. Todos esos elementos reducen considerablemente el espacio disponible para el montaje de una cámara en su interior, por Io que es sobre todo en tales caso de espacios reducidos cuando el montaje del conjunto captador 9 propuesto por el primer aspecto de Ia invención resulta considerablemente ventajoso frente a las cámaras convencionales.In general, said rearview mirror units 10 comprise several elements inside, such as a motor connected to the rearview mirror 11 to move it, a temperature sensor, etc. All those elements reduce considerably the space available for the assembly of a chamber in its interior, so that it is especially in such cases of reduced spaces when the assembly of the sensor assembly 9 proposed by the first aspect of the invention is considerably advantageous compared to conventional cameras.
Un experto en Ia materia podría introducir cambios y modificaciones en los ejemplos de realización descritos sin salirse del alcance de Ia invención según está definido en las reivindicaciones adjuntas. A person skilled in the art could introduce changes and modifications in the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Reivindicaciones Claims
1.- Conjunto captador de imágenes aplicable a una unidad de espejo retrovisor (10) Ia cual integra al menos un espejo retrovisor (11) y una caja (12) o carcasa portadora del mismo, siendo dicho conjunto captador de imágenes (9) del tipo que comprende al menos un dispositivo captador electrónico (15) y una óptica asociada (5), y se encuentra alojado, o es susceptible de serlo, al menos en parte, fijado en el interior de dicha caja (12) que está dotada de una abertura (13) a cuyo través dicho dispositivo captador (15) puede captar imágenes del exterior, estando dicho conjunto captador de imágenes (9) caracterizado porque comprende una estructura de soporte de al menos una parte activa (2) de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico (15) y un elemento desviador de luz (6), acoplado de manera móvil, o susceptible de serlo, con al menos un grado de libertad a dicha estructura de soporte. 1.- Image capture assembly applicable to a rearview mirror unit (10) Ia which integrates at least one rearview mirror (11) and a box (12) or carrying case thereof, said image collection assembly (9) of the type comprising at least one electronic pickup device (15) and an associated optics (5), and is housed, or is capable of being, at least in part, fixed inside said box (12) which is provided with an opening (13) through which said sensor device (15) can capture images from outside, said image sensor assembly (9) characterized in that it comprises a support structure of at least one active part (2) of said electronic sensor device (15) and a light diverter element (6), movably coupled, or capable of being, with at least a degree of freedom to said support structure.
2.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 1 , caracterizado porque dicha estructura de soporte comprende una carcasa alargada hueca (4), con un primer extremo abierto (4a) al cual se halla acoplado, montado con posibilidad de giro, dicho elemento desviador de luz (6), proporcionando el giro posibilitado por dicho montaje un movimiento con dicho grado de libertad, que es al menos uno. 2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said support structure comprises a hollow elongated housing (4), with a first open end (4a) to which said light deflecting element (coupled with the possibility of rotation) is coupled. 6), providing the rotation made possible by said assembly a movement with said degree of freedom, which is at least one.
3.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 2, caracterizado porque dicho elemento desviador de luz (6) va dispuesto en el interior de un capuchón protector (7), el cual posee una base (7a) adaptada para acoplarse, en montaje giratorio, a dicho primer extremo (4a) de dicha carcasa (4), proporcionando el giro posibilitado por dicho montaje giratorio un movimiento con dicho grado de libertad, que es al menos uno, y comprendiendo dicho capuchón (7) una abertura lateral (8) hacia Ia cual al menos una cara (6a) de dicho elemento desviador de luz (6) se halla enfrentado.3.- Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said light deflecting element (6) is arranged inside a protective cap (7), which has a base (7a) adapted to be coupled, in rotating assembly, to said first end (4a) of said housing (4), the rotation provided by said rotating assembly providing a movement with said degree of freedom, which is at least one, and said cap (7) comprising a lateral opening (8) towards which at least one face (6a) of said light diverter element (6) faces.
4.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque dicha base (7a) de dicho capuchón (7) define un contorno interior circular y porque al menos dicho primer extremo (4a) de dicha carcasa (4) define un contorno exterior circular, siendo los diámetros de dichos contornos interior y exterior adaptados para facilitar un acoplamiento a enchufe con posibilidad de giro. 4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said base (7a) of said cap (7) defines a circular inner contour and because at least said first end (4a) of said housing (4) defines a circular outer contour, being the diameters of said inner and outer contours adapted to facilitate a plug-in connection with the possibility of rotation.
5.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque dicha base5. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said base
(7a) de dicho capuchón (7) define un contorno exterior circular y porque al menos dicho primer extremo (4a) de dicha carcasa (4) define un contorno interior circular, siendo los diámetros de dichos contornos exterior e interior adaptados para facilitar un acoplamiento a enchufe con posibilidad de giro.(7a) of said cap (7) defines a circular outer contour and because at least said first end (4a) of said housing (4) defines a circular inner contour, the diameters of said outer and inner contours being adapted to facilitate a coupling to plug with possibility of rotation.
6- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 4 ó 5 caracterizado porque dicho acoplamiento a enchufe, con posibilidad de giro, es hermético.6- Assembly according to any one of claims 4 or 5 characterized in that said plug-in coupling, with the possibility of rotation, is airtight.
7.- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 4 ó 5, caracterizado porque dicho acoplamiento a enchufe se realiza por interferencia a presión.7. Assembly according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said plug-in coupling is carried out by pressure interference.
8.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque dicha carcasa (4) tiene un segundo extremo (4b), también abierto, al que va unida una pieza base (3) retenedora, portadora o susceptible de portar al menos una parte (1, 2) de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico (15), y adaptada para fijarse a dicho segundo extremo (4b) de dicha carcasa (4), de manera que dicha parte activa (2) del dispositivo captador (15) quede orientada hacia el interior de Ia carcasa (4).8. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said housing (4) has a second end (4b), also open, to which is attached a retaining base piece (3), carrying or capable of carrying at least a part (1 , 2) of said electronic pickup device (15), and adapted to be fixed to said second end (4b) of said housing (4), so that said active part (2) of the pickup device (15) is oriented inwards of the housing (4).
9.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 8, caracterizado porque dicha unión es hermética.9. - Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said union is airtight.
10.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 9, caracterizado porque dicha unión se realiza por acoplamiento a enchufe, a presión.10.- Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that said connection is made by plug-in coupling, under pressure.
11.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 8, caracterizado porque dicha parte activa (2), que es al menos una, de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico (15), es una matriz de fotocaptadores electrónicos, dispuestos sobre una placa de circuito impreso (1).11. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said active part (2), which is at least one, of said electronic pickup device (15), is an array of electronic photocapters, arranged on a printed circuit board (1) .
12.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 11 , caracterizado porque dicha pieza base de soporte (3) comprende un orificio (16) para el paso de unos cables (17) de alimentación y/o control, conectados, o a conectar, por un extremo a dicho dispositivo captador (15) y posible circuitería asociada, y por su otro extremo a un sistema de alimentación y/o control externo al conjunto captador (9). 12.- Assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that said support base part (3) comprises a hole (16) for the passage of power and / or control cables (17), connected, or connected, by one end to said sensor device (15) and possible associated circuitry, and at its other end to a power and / or control system external to the sensor assembly (9).
13.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque dicho elemento desviador de luz (6) es un espejo dispuesto en dicho capuchón (7) de manera inclinada respecto a dicha abertura lateral (8) y respecto a Ia base (7a) del capuchón (7), encarando Ia cara reflectante ambas, Ia abertura lateral (8) y Ia definida por Ia base (7a), de manera que Ia luz que entra por dicha abertura lateral (8) es reflejada hacia dicha parte activa (2) del dispositivo captador (15).13.- Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said light deflecting element (6) is a mirror disposed in said cap (7) inclined with respect to said lateral opening (8) and with respect to the base (7a) of the cap (7), facing the reflective face both, the lateral opening (8) and the one defined by the base (7a), so that the light entering through said lateral opening (8) is reflected towards said active part (2) of the pickup device (15).
14.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque dicho elemento desviador de luz (6) es un prisma (6) alojado en dicho capuchón (7) de manera que una primera (6a) de sus caras, definida por un primer paralelogramo, encara dicha abertura lateral (8) y una segunda (6b) de sus caras, definida por un segundo paralelogramo, encara Ia abertura definida por Ia base (7a) del capuchón (7), de manera que Ia luz que incide en dicha primera cara (6a) de dicho prisma (6) es desviada hacia dicha segunda cara (6b) del mismo, de Ia que sale en dirección hacia dicha parte activa (2) del dispositivo captador (15).14. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said light deflecting element (6) is a prism (6) housed in said cap (7) so that a first (6a) of its faces, defined by a first parallelogram, faces said lateral opening (8) and a second (6b) of their faces, defined by a second parallelogram, faces the opening defined by the base (7a) of the cap (7), so that the light that affects said first face (6a) of said prism (6) is diverted towards said second face (6b) thereof, from which it goes in the direction of said active part (2) of the pickup device (15).
15.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 14, caracterizado porque dicho prisma (6) es triangular, y comprende un tercer paralelogramo que define una tercera cara (6c) inclinada encarada hacia un lateral cerrado (7b) de dicho capuchón (J), opuesto a dicha abertura lateral (8). 15. - Assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that said prism (6) is triangular, and comprises a third parallelogram defining a third face (6c) inclined facing a closed side (7b) of said cap (J), opposite to said lateral opening (8).
16.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 15, caracterizado porque las bases de dicho prisma triangular (6) son triángulos rectángulos.16. Assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the bases of said triangular prism (6) are right triangles.
17.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 15, caracterizado porque dicho capuchón (7) también es al menos en parte triangular, y porque dicho lateral cerrado (7b) del capuchón (7) es inclinado y soporta, por su cara interior, a Ia tercera cara (6c) o cara inclinada de dicho prisma (6).17.- Assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that said cap (7) is also at least in triangular part, and because said closed side (7b) of the cap (7) is inclined and supports, on its inner face, the third face (6c) or inclined face of said prism (6).
18.- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 14 a 17, caracterizado porque al menos una de las caras (6a, 6b, 6c) de dicho prisma (6) integra al menos una lente.18. Assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that at least one of the faces (6a, 6b, 6c) of said prism (6) integrates at least one lens.
19.- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 14 a 17, caracterizado porque al menos una de las caras (6a, 6b, 6c) de dicho prisma (6) integra al menos una lente y porque comprende además al menos una lente (5a) y un diafragma (5b) alojados en el interior de dicha carcasa (4), y fijados a Ia misma, entre el dispositivo captador (15) y dicho prisma (6). 19. Assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that at least one of the faces (6a, 6b, 6c) of said prism (6) integrates at least one lens and because it also comprises at least one lens (5a ) and a diaphragm (5b) housed inside said housing (4), and fixed thereto, between the pickup device (15) and said prism (6).
20.- Conjunto según una de las reivindicaciones 13 a 17, caracterizado porque comprende al menos una lente (5a) y un diafragma (5b) alojados en el interior de dicha carcasa (4), y fijados a Ia misma, entre el dispositivo captador (15) y el elemento desviador de luz (6). 20. Assembly according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that it comprises at least one lens (5a) and a diaphragm (5b) housed inside said housing (4), and fixed thereto, between the sensing device (15) and the light diverter element (6).
21.- Conjunto según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 3 a 17, caracterizado porque está adaptado para ser montado en el interior de dicha caja (12) portadora de dicho espejo retrovisor (11), cooperando con unos medios de fijación para ser fijado de manera que al menos una parte de dicho capuchón (7) sobresalga a través de dicha abertura (13) de Ia caja portadora (12), quedando accesible para que pueda ser girado, y con él el elemento desviador de luz (6), respecto a dicha caja o carcasa (12).21. Assembly according to any of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that it is adapted to be mounted inside said box (12) carrying said rearview mirror (11), cooperating with fixing means to be fixed so that at least a part of said cap (7) protrudes through said opening (13) of the carrier box (12), being accessible so that it can be rotated, and with it the light diverter element (6), with respect to said box or housing (12).
22.- Conjunto, según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 3 a 17, caracterizado porque está adaptado para ser montado en el interior de dicha caja (12) portadora de dicho espejo retrovisor (11), cooperando con unos medios de fijación para ser fijado de manera que dicha abertura lateral (8) del capuchón (7) quede enfrentada a dicha abertura (13) de Ia caja portadora (12).22. Assembly, according to any of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that it is adapted to be mounted inside said box (12) carrying said rearview mirror (11), cooperating with fixing means to be fixed so that said lateral opening (8) of the cap (7) faces said opening (13) of the carrier box (12).
23.- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 17, caracterizado porque es modular, siendo al menos dicho elemento desviador de luz (6) extraíble e intercambiable por otro elemento desviador de luz de diferentes características ópticas, seleccionable de entre una pluralidad de elementos desviadores de luz.23. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it is modular, said light diverter element (6) being removable and interchangeable by another light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of light diverter elements.
24.- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 3 a 17, caracterizado porque es modular, siendo al menos dicho capuchón (7) portador de un elemento desviador de luz (6) extraíble e intercambiable por otro capuchón portador de un elemento desviador de luz de diferentes características ópticas, seleccionable de entre una pluralidad de elementos desviadores de luz.24. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that it is modular, at least said cap (7) carrying a light diverter element (6) removable and interchangeable by another cap carrying a light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of light diverter elements.
25.- Conjunto según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 3 a 17, caracterizado porque es modular, siendo al menos dicho capuchón (7) portador de un elemento desviador de luz (6) extraíble con el fin de intercambiar dicho elemento desviador de luz (6) por otro elemento desviador de luz de diferentes características ópticas, seleccionable de entre una pluralidad de elementos desviadores de luz. 25. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that it is modular, at least said cap (7) carrying a light diverter element (6) removable in order to exchange said light diverter element (6 ) by another light diverter element of different optical characteristics, selectable from a plurality of light diverter elements.
26.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 24 ó 25, caracterizado porque dichos elementos desviadores de luz son prismas triangulares y de orientación angular diferente.26.- Assembly according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that said light deflecting elements are triangular prisms and of different angular orientation.
27.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 24 ó 25, caracterizado porque dichos elementos desviadores de luz son prismas iguales pero constituidos por materiales o superficies delimitadoras distintos que proporcionan unas características ópticas diferentes.27.- Assembly according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that said light deflecting elements are equal prisms but constituted by different delimiting materials or surfaces that provide different optical characteristics.
28.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 11, caracterizado porque dicha matriz de fotocaptadores electrónicos de dicha parte activa (2) de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico (15) es de tecnología CCD.28.- Assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that said array of electronic photocaptors of said active part (2) of said electronic pickup device (15) is of CCD technology.
29.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 11, caracterizado porque dicha matriz de fotocaptadores electrónicos de dicha parte activa (2) de dicho dispositivo captador electrónico (15) es de tecnología CMOS.29.- Assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that said array of electronic photocaptors of said active part (2) of said electronic pickup device (15) is CMOS technology.
30.- Conjunto según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 17, caracterizado porque está adaptado para ser integrado en un sistema aplicado a30.- Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it is adapted to be integrated into a system applied to
Ia detección de presencia de objetos susceptibles de colisionar con el vehículo portador de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor (10), en un determinado campo de vigilancia, cubriendo por Io menos un ángulo muerto.Ia detection of the presence of objects susceptible to colliding with the carrier vehicle of the rearview mirror unit (10), in a certain surveillance field, covering at least one dead angle.
31.- Conjunto según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 14 a 17, caracterizado por está adaptado para ser integrado en un sistema aplicado a Ia detección de presencia de objetos susceptibles de colisionar con el vehículo portador de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor (10), en un determinado campo de vigilancia, cubriendo por Io menos un ángulo muerto y porque el sistema óptico asociado (5, 6) comprendiendo dicho prisma (6), diafragma (5b) y lente (5a) es apto para detectar un vehículo a 70 m de distancia.31.- Assembly according to any of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that it is adapted to be integrated in a system applied to the detection of the presence of objects capable of colliding with the carrier vehicle of the rearview mirror unit (10), in a certain surveillance field, covering at least one blind angle and because the associated optical system (5, 6) comprising said prism (6), diaphragm (5b) and lens (5a) is suitable for detecting a vehicle 70 m away .
32.- Conjunto según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 14 a 17, caracterizado por está adaptado para ser integrado en un sistema aplicado a Ia detección de presencia de objetos susceptibles de colisionar con el vehículo portador de Ia unidad de espejo retrovisor (10), en un determinado campo de vigilancia, cubriendo por Io menos un ángulo muerto y porque el sistema óptico asociado (5, 6) comprendiendo dicho prisma (6), diafragma (5b) y lente (5a) es apto para cubrir un campo de visión horizontal de aproximadamente 64 grados y un campo de visión vertical de aproximadamente 38 grados. 32.- Assembly according to any of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that it is adapted to be integrated in a system applied to the detection of the presence of objects capable of colliding with the carrier vehicle of the rearview mirror unit (10), in a certain surveillance field, covering at least one blind angle and because the associated optical system (5, 6) comprising said prism (6), diaphragm (5b) and lens (5a) is suitable for covering a horizontal field of vision of approximately 64 degrees and a vertical field of view of approximately 38 degrees.
33.- Conjunto según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 17, caracterizado porque está adaptado para ser integrado en un sistema de visión con al menos una pantalla para visualizar directamente las imágenes captadas por dicho dispositivo captador electrónico (15). 33.- Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it is adapted to be integrated into a vision system with at least one screen to directly visualize the images captured by said electronic pickup device (15).
34.- Conjunto según Ia reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque comprende unos medios de inmovilización para inmovilizar dicho capuchón (7) respecto a dicha carcasa (4) en una posición determinada, siendo dicha posición alcanzada gracias al giro posibilitado por dicho montaje giratorio.34.- Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises immobilization means for immobilizing said cap (7) with respect to said housing (4) in a certain position, said position being achieved thanks to the rotation made possible by said rotating assembly.
35.- Unidad de espejo retrovisor, del tipo que comprende al menos un espejo retrovisor (11) y una caja (12) o carcasa portadora del mismo, y que a su vez aloja, al menos en parte, fijado, al menos un conjunto captador de imágenes35.- Rear-view mirror unit, of the type comprising at least one rear-view mirror (11) and a box (12) or carrying case thereof, and which in turn houses, at least in part, fixed, at least one set imager
(9) según una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 34, estando dicha caja (12) dotada de al menos una abertura (13) a cuyo través un dispositivo captador electrónico (15), comprendido en dicho conjunto captador (9), que es al menos uno, puede captar imágenes del exterior.(9) according to any one of claims 1 to 34, said box (12) being provided with at least one opening (13) through which an electronic pickup device (15), comprised in said pickup assembly (9), which is At least one, you can capture images from outside.
36.- Unidad de espejo retrovisor según Ia reivindicación 34, caracterizado porque dicha caja (12) aloja dos conjuntos captadores de imágenes (9), y define dos aberturas (13, 19) a cuyo través dos dispositivos captadores electrónicos (15), comprendido cada uno en uno de dichos conjuntos captadores (9), pueden captar imágenes del exterior, cada dispositivo (15) a través de una de dichas aberturas (13, 19), cubriendo dos zonas de captación distintas.36.- Rear-view mirror unit according to claim 34, characterized in that said box (12) houses two image capture sets (9), and defines two openings (13, 19) through which two electronic capture devices (15), comprised each in one of said collector assemblies (9), can capture images from the outside, each device (15) through one of said openings (13, 19), covering two different collection areas.
37.- Unidad de espejo retrovisor según Ia reivindicación 35 o 36, caracterizada porque dicha caja (12) alberga al menos un motor conectado mecánicamente a dicho espejo retrovisor (11) para desplazarlo. 37.- Rearview mirror unit according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that said box (12) houses at least one motor mechanically connected to said rearview mirror (11) to move it.
PCT/IB2006/000065 2006-01-16 2006-01-16 Image-capturing assembly applicable to a rear-view mirror unit, and rear-view mirror unit WO2007080439A1 (en)

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