DE102004039450A1 - System to assist the driver in parking a motor vehicle has cameras concealed in the front and rear, linked to an interior display, with a control to open the camera covers and activate the display - Google Patents

Abstract

The system to assist a driver in parking a motor vehicle has a camera (1a) e.g. at the rear, to cover the immediate environment around the vehicle. The camera is shrouded by a cover (2a), e.g. the vehicle marque badge, moved by a control (9) between a rest position covering the camera and an active position exposing the camera. At least one interior display (3) shows the images from the camera. When reverse gear is engaged, and the reversing lamp (6) is lit, the link between the camera shrouding and a micro switch (5a) is broken to give an electrical supply to the camera and display and an actuator (7a) opens the camera cover. An identical system can be provided to cover the zone in front of the vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a parking aid for vehicles.

DE 100 10 434 A1 describes a camera device in a third brake warning lamp in a motor vehicle. This known device is used to monitor a backward driving space, which can observe a driver on a display unit. A camera is mounted here at a relatively high altitude with little effort. Although the camera thus has a large viewing angle and is also inconspicuously arranged in a third brake warning light, so that it can be cleaned by a windscreen wiper, a problem here is that the camera can not be installed independently of the brake warning light and that the camera Brake warning light device in the rear window area must be mounted in the vehicle and thus valuable space is lost in this area in the vehicle.

A device for monitoring a rear or front side environment of a vehicle is off DE 203 10 270 U1 known. In this device is automatically switched to a display device when inserting a reverse gear. The display device used here is a screen arranged in the vehicle, a rear-view mirror, an on-board computer, a TV or a navigation system. The problem here is that all of these display devices need valuable cockpit space. Furthermore, these can often be inconvenient to install, and the retrofittability of the display device can be complicated. In addition, the detection device is indeed folded into the body of the vehicle, but not protected against dirt and moisture during parking.

In contrast, is It is an object of the invention to provide a parking aid for vehicles, which a camera from the weather, for example, moisture and protects dirt, and a particularly advantageous place in a vehicle for a display device especially for the To find a camera.

These Task is by a parking aid with the features according to claim 1 solved. Appropriate further education are in the dependent claims Are defined.

According to the invention is a Parking assistance for vehicles described in which a camera is present, by means of which when parking an area advantageously in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle is detectable. Furthermore is a cover for the camera exists, which by means of a control unit between a closed position and an open position movable is. In the closed position, the camera is advantageously protected all around from moisture and dirt inside the vehicle behind the Cover. In the open position, so while parking, takes the camera on the area in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle and shows this a driver on at least one display. This has the advantage that the driver the area in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle in real time can watch on the display. Because the camera is also in the open position the cover is still inside the vehicle offers this position advantageously sufficient protection against moisture and Dirt even when parking. The control unit controls the movement the cover between the closed position and the open Position to provide the camera with the best possible protection.

Preferably is the cover between the closed position and the open Position pivotable about an axis, for example, by the pivoting from the closed position to the open position the camera very easy to release and ready to shoot even with small swivel angles is. Furthermore offers one in a central area of the swiveling one Cover arranged axis saves space, as the cover while at least partially swing into the vehicle, but Nevertheless, the camera releases quickly enough.

Preferably when inserting a gear, the cover pivots from the closed Position in the open position. The camera will record as soon as possible the parking signaled by the driver by engaging the gear becomes. It is intended that in the open position open the cover a tailgate of the vehicle prevented by the control unit is. Once the gear is no longer inserted, the cover swings from the open position to the closed position.

The Camera is preferably completely protected by the cover and is arranged inside the vehicle, the camera preferably only switched on when the cover is closed position leaves. So the camera is in the closed position through the cover completely protected and begins with the recording as soon as, for example, by inserting the corridor is signaled.

The Cover is preferably a type logo, especially with integrated Tailgate. Many of today's vehicle types have the type logo on the rear and / or Front section of the vehicle mounted, whereby also the function of the tailgate to open the tailgate can be integrated with. The tailgate operation is suitable Especially good as a cover, since the tailgate operation anyway around an axis between the closed and the open position is pivotable. Furthermore the camera can be mounted behind the tailgate actuator so that even with a slight panning of the cover the camera one unlimited Rear view possible.

Preferably when engaging reverse gear a connection between a rear cover and a rear one Microswitch interrupted, an electrical supply for a back Camera and the display turned on and a tailgate actuator switched on. The rear acutator may preferably be a solenoid or be an electromotive actuator. This moves the cover preferably over a pull cable or a Bowden cable between the closed and the open position. After inserting the reverse gear is on the display the view to the rear is thus automatically displayed. Not anymore engaged reverse gear the supply of the tailgate actuator is interrupted, the rear Camera and the display are turned off, and by means of the rear Micro switch, the rear cover is closed.

Preferably When inserting the first gear is a connection between a front cover and a front microswitch interrupted, an electrical supply for a front-facing camera and the display turns on and on a front actuator is switched on. A frontal activator can preferably be a solenoid or an electric motor actuator. This moves the cover preferably via a pull cable or a Bowden cable between its closed and open position. To the insertion of the 1st gear is on a display to the view front thus automatically displayed. As soon as 1st gear stops is inserted, the supply of the front actuator is interrupted, the front camera and the display are switched off, and by means of the front micro switch, the front cover is closed.

The Display is preferably in a ventilation grille, in particular in a fitting of the vehicle, installed. Thus, the driver can just see the display. Furthermore are ventilation grilles in the faucet usually present in the vehicle, and the display needed no additional Space in the cockpit. The display can be easily retrofitted, because of this usually a ventilation outlet enough. The display has a preferably simple structure and exists from a monitor, a circuit board and a housing. This makes it space saving and easy to assemble. The housing The display consists of a front and a back. These two parts can preferably be interconnected by a clip closure, which solvable is connectable. The display may preferably be in the dashboard area be attached by various types of mounting. Screw connection, clip lock, magnetic contact and electrical contact are possible.

The In non-operation, the display is preferably out of the ventilation grille folded out. A hinge connection on one side each between the display and the ventilation grille is conceivable here. By folding out the original Function of the ventilation grille restored as an air outlet.

The Display may also prefer an image of a simple navigation system or show one of the multimedia systems. This saves you the space otherwise, the navigation system or the Multimeda system in the cockpit need would. The Multimedia system can be for example an internet access or a Be a dvd player. Especially for retrofitting is the display device according to the invention advantageous. conventional Navigation systems can i. d. R. not without further belated in the dashboard of a Vehicle be installed. For a simpler navigation system, which, for example, with arrow displays works, but is such a display device with a Display a comparatively small size advantageous that this in the ventilation grille Takes place. As a result, no display needs to be placed outside the fittings what else is an extra Risk of injury in the event of accidents could represent.

at higher Speed as the parking speed of the vehicle should the parking aid preferably not be activated. Thus one stops certain speed the control unit the tailgate actuator or the front actuator and thereby the cover in the closed position. This signaling is also through a signal from the speedometer and by a signal from a speed or Motion sensor possible.

It is also possible that a preferably attached to the rear of the vehicle reversing lights of the control electronics signals when it is switched on, that the cover is to be pivoted from the closed position to the open position, so that the camera with the up drawing begins.

The Camera used in this parking aid is preferably one CCD or CMOS camera, because such cameras are particularly good areas in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle can capture.

Further Advantages and applications The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. It demonstrate:

1 a system overview in the state "rest";

2 a system overview in the "Operation" state.

In 1 is a system overview of the parking aid in the state "rest" shown in this state, there is no voltage to a control unit 9 at. A display 3 is from the control unit 9 is not energized and is therefore in the "off" state, a reversing light located at the rear of the vehicle 6 is also from the control unit 9 is not energized and is in the "off" state 9 connected rear microswitch 5a is in the "open" state, a tailgate, here as a rear cover 2a serves, is closed. One with the control unit 9 connected tailgate actuator 7a is also in the "off" state, a back camera 1a is protected behind the tailgate operation 2a in the vehicle.

In 2 a system overview of the parking aid is shown in the "Operation" status 6 activated. This signalizes the operation of the control unit 9 , This initiates the movement of the tailgate actuator 7a , which via a pull cable or a Bowden cable 10 the tailgate operation 2a in the form of the cover designed as a type logo. This is about an axis 4 pivotable, which is arranged substantially in the center of the cover. The rear microswitch 5a is in the "closed" state 9 the back camera 1a on, and the display 3 shows that from the back camera 1a in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle detected area. the display 3 is in the ventilation grille 8th built-in. Even in the "Operation" state, the rear camera is located 1a still relatively well protected from moisture and dirt, as the tailgate operation 2a only slightly open and the back camera 1a is still within, for example, the tailgate. The state "Operation" is not limited in time by the parking aid.

1a

rear camera

1b

front Camera (not shown in figures)

2a

rear cover

2 B

front Cover (not shown in figures)

3

display

4

axis (not shown in figures)

5a

rear microswitch

5b

front Microswitch (not shown in figures)

6

Reversing lights

7a

Tailgate actuator

7b

front Actuator (not shown in figures)

8th

ventilation grille (not shown in figures)

9

control unit

10

pull cable or Bowden cable

Claims (11)

Parking aid for vehicles, in which a) a camera ( 1 ) is present, by means of which when parking an area in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle is detected, b) a cover ( 2 ) for the camera ( 1 ) is present, which by means of a control unit ( 9 ) is movable between a closed position and an open, camera-releasing position, c) at least one display ( 3 ) is present inside the vehicle, which is the one of the camera ( 1 ). Parking aid according to claim 1, in which the cover ( 2 ) between the closed position and the open position about an axis ( 4 ) is pivotable. Parking aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when inserting a gear, the cover ( 2 ) pivots from the closed position to the open position. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the camera ( 1 ) through the cover ( 2 ) is completely protected and located inside the vehicle, with the camera ( 1 ) is turned on when the cover ( 2 ) leaves the closed position. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the cover ( 2 ) is a type logo, especially with integrated tailgate operation is. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when inserting the reverse gear, a connection between a rear cover ( 2a ) and a rear microswitch ( 5a ) interrupted an electrical supply for a rear camera ( 1a ) and the display ( 3 ) and a tailgate actuator ( 7a ) for opening the rear cover ( 2 ) is switched on. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when inserting the first gear, a connection between a front cover ( 2 B ) and a front microswitch ( 5b ), an electrical supply for a front camera ( 1b ) and the display ( 3 ) and a front actuator ( 7b ) to open the front cover ( 2 ) is switched on. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the display ( 3 ) in a ventilation grille ( 8th ), in particular in a valve of the vehicle, is installed. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at a certain speed of the vehicle, the control unit ( 9 ) the tailgate actuator ( 7a ) or the front actuator ( 7b ) and thereby the cover ( 2 ) in the closed position. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one reversing light ( 6 ) is present at the rear of the vehicle, when switched on the cover ( 2 ) is pivoted from the closed position to the open position. Parking aid according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the camera ( 1 ) is a CCD or CMOS camera.