External rearview device, external rearview device kit and vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11890989-B2
Application number	US-202217939264-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2022
Priority date	Jan 24, 2012
Publication date	Feb 6, 2024
Grant date	Feb 6, 2024

Abstract

An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle is provided. The external rearview system when assembled may include a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and a head assembly attached to the base assembly. The assembly set may include (i) a first head assembly comprising a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and (ii) a second head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system. The head assembly may be configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An assembly set for assembling an external rearview system for a motor vehicle, the external rearview system when assembled including (i) a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and (ii) a head assembly attached to the base assembly, the assembly set comprising:
a first head assembly comprising,
a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and

a second head assembly comprising at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, a display unit integrated in the head assembly or provided together with the reflective element, and at least one camera unit, the camera unit configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element,
wherein the head assembly is configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other, and
(iii) a control unit for controlling the at least one camera unit and the display unit, wherein at least one sensor unit is connected to the control unit, and wherein the display unit is configured to be viewable through the reflective element when activated depending on an output signal of the at least one sensor unit, via the control unit.

2. The assembly set of claim 1 , further comprising
at least one second camera unit configured to obtain an image through an opening provided by the base assembly of the head assembly.

3. The assembly set of claim 2 , further comprising
an articulation assembly for moving the head assembly relative to the base assembly.

4. The assembly set of claim 3 , further comprising
the control unit for controlling the articulation assembly.

5. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein the display unit is configured to be
activated by at least one of a driver of the motor vehicle, depending on the output signal of the sensor unit, via a vehicle control system or via a control unit provided by the external rearview device.

6. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein
the first and/or second head assembly is moveably attachable to the base assembly, and
the base assembly is fixed relative to the motor vehicle.

7. The assembly set of claim 1 , further comprising at least one functional module, comprising,
a light module, a turn signal indicator module, a blind spot indicator module, or a human machine interface,
a Bluetooth module and
a sensor module, a temperature sensor, a touch sensor or a contamination sensor.

8. The assembly set of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of
at least one first camera connector or camera cradle, which is positioned in a nonmoving area of the moveable head assembly and receives a first camera unit, or
at least one connector cradle, which is positioned in the base assembly and receives a second camera unit.

9. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein
the first and second head assembly each comprises at least one cover element having the same structure.

10. The assembly set of claim 9 , wherein
the at least one head assembly cover element comprises an upper cover, a lower cover and a front cover.

11. The assembly set of claim 10 , wherein
at least one of the upper cover, the lower cover or the front cover fits the first and second head assembly or are identical for each head assembly.

12. The assembly set of claim 10 , wherein
the at least one head assembly cover element comprises a bezel.

13. The assembly set of claim 12 , wherein
the bezel of the second head assembly has an opening such that the first camera unit can obtain a rearview image through the reflective element.

14. The assembly set of claim 1 , wherein
the base assembly comprises a base frame and at least one cover element to releaseably mantle the base frame by being attached via clip, snap and/or latch connections.

15. The assembly set of claim 14 , wherein
the at least one base assembly cover element comprises an upper base cover, a lower base cover and a base cover cap.

16. The assembly set of claim 14 , wherein
each unit is partly extending through an opening in at least one of the base cover elements, or
at least one of a rim or a lens of each second camera unit is arranged in front of the at least one base cover elements.

17. The assembly set of claim 14 , wherein
the at least one base assembly cover element comprises at least one glare shield surrounding a lens of a second camera unit and providing an opening through which the second camera unit attached to the base assembly can obtain an image.

18. The assembly set of claim 17 , wherein
each glare shield is configured to be releaseably attached to at least one of the at least one base assembly cover element or a second camera connector or camera cradle via at least one of a clip, snap or latch connection.

19. The assembly set of claim 18 , wherein
the glare shield is provided with at least one clip.

20. The assembly set of claim 19 , wherein the at least one clip of the glare shield is configured to at least one of
engage the base cover cap or at least one extension or lug of the base cover cap or
be supported by the second camera cradle or at last one retention tab of the second camera cradle.

21. The assembly set of claim 20 , wherein,
in the view direction of a first second camera unit, the second camera cradle is arranged at least partly in front of the base frame, the base cover cap is arranged at least partly in front of the second camera cradle, and the glare shield is arranged at least partly in front of the base cover cap.

22. The assembly set of claim 15 , wherein,
a second unit obtains an image through an opening provided by the upper base cover, or
a third second camera unit obtains an image through an opening provided by the lower base cover.

23. Vehicle with at least one external rearview system, according to claim 1 .

24. An external rearview device for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a base assembly provided for arrangement on the motor vehicle, and
a head assembly attached to the base assembly, the head assembly comprising
a first head assembly comprising a first rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and
a second head assembly comprising
at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass,
a display unit integrated in the head assembly or provided together with the reflective element, and
at least one camera unit, the camera unit configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element

wherein the head assembly is configured to be detachable and is selected to be the first or second head assembly, with the first and second head assembly being exchangeable with each other, and
a control unit for controlling the at least one camera unit and the display unit, wherein at least one sensor unit is connected to the control unit, and wherein the display unit is configured to be viewable through the reflective element when activated depending on an output signal of the at least one sensor unit, via the control unit.

Assignees

• Smr Patents Sarl

Inventors

• Lettis Andrew
• Rehill Graham
• Scott-Collins Callum
• Herrmann Andreas
• Schmierer Arne
• Field Simon David
• Spychala Jakub
• Connor Kane
• Charlet Francis
• Horne Steve

Classifications

• B60R1/12 Primary

  Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks · CPC title

• B60R1/06

  mounted on vehicle exterior {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• H04N23/90

  Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums · CPC title

• B60R2001/1253

  with cameras, video cameras or video screens · CPC title

• H04N23/50

  Constructional details · CPC title