External rearview device, external rearview device kit and vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12122299-B2
Application number	US-202217680658-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2022
Priority date	Jan 24, 2012
Publication date	Oct 22, 2024
Grant date	Oct 22, 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, (ii) a second head assembly comprising, a second rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, and at least one first camera unit being configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element, and (iii) a third 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, second or third head assembly, with the first, second and third head assembly being exchangeable with each other.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An external rearview system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a base assembly that comprises a base frame and a cover element, the cover element including at least a base cover cap and a lower base cover;
a head assembly attached to the base assembly;
a camera unit attached to the base assembly; and
a glare shield that attaches to the cover element to surround a lens of the camera unit and provide an opening through which the camera unit can obtain an image, and
wherein the glare shield includes one or more clips, and wherein each of the one or more clips is configured to extend between the base cover cap and the camera cradle and to engage with an extension of the base cover cap to retain the glare shield in position.

2. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the head assembly is configured to be detachable and is selected from a plurality of exchangeable head assemblies.

3. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of exchangeable head assemblies include
(i) a first head assembly comprising, a first rearview device comprising a reflective element in form of a mirror glass, and
(ii) a second head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system.

4. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of exchangeable head assemblies include
(i) a first head assembly comprising, a first rearview device comprising a reflective element in form of a mirror glass,
(ii) a second head assembly comprising, a second rearview device comprising a reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, and a second camera unit being configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element, and
(iii) a third head assembly with at least one component of a camera monitor system.

5. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the cover element comprises an upper base cover, the lower base cover and the base cover cap.

6. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 5 , wherein
the camera unit is partly extending through an opening in at least one of the upper base cover, the lower base cover, and the base cover cap, or
at least one of a rim and a lens of the camera unit is arranged in front of the cover element.

7. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the one or more clips are supported by the camera cradle or at least one retention tab of the camera cradle.

8. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 7 , wherein in a view direction of the camera unit, the camera cradle is arranged at least partly in front of the base frame, a base cover cap is arranged at least partly in front of the camera cradle, and the glare shield is arranged at least partly in front of the base cover cap.

9. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of exchangeable head assemblies each include at least one cover element having a same structure.

10. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the at least one cover element includes an upper cover, a lower cover and a front cover which are identical for each of the plurality of exchangeable head assemblies.

11. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the at least one cover element comprises a bezel.

12. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the bezel includes an opening to allow the camera unit to obtain a rearview image through a reflective element of the head assembly.

13. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the second head assembly is selected from
a first second head assembly comprising at least one first camera unit,
a second second head assembly comprising
a second rearview device comprising at least one reflective element in form of an at least partly translucent mirror glass, and
a display unit integrated in the head assembly or provided together with the reflective element, and

a third second head assembly comprising
a third rearview device 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 second camera unit being configured to obtain a rearview image through the reflective element.

14. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising an articulation assembly for moving the head assembly relative to the base assembly.

15. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 14 , further comprising
a control unit for controlling at least one of the at least one first camera unit, the at least one second camera unit, the display unit and the articulation assembly.

16. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising
at least one senor unit connected to the control unit.

17. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the display unit is configured to be at least one of
viewable through the reflective element when activated, or
activated by at least one of a driver of the motor vehicle, depending on an output signal of a sensor unit, via a vehicle control system and via a control unit provided by the external rearview device.

18. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle of claim 1 , wherein
the head assembly is moveably attachable to the base assembly, and
the base assembly is fixed relative to the motor vehicle.

19. The external rearview system for a motor vehicle 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.

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

Assignees

• Smr Patents Sarl

Inventors

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

Classifications

• H04N23/90

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

• B60R1/06

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

• B60R2001/1253

  with cameras, video cameras or video screens · CPC title

• H04N23/50

  Constructional details · CPC title

• B60R1/12 Primary

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