Vehicle image recognition module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12583387-B2
Application number	US-202418605758-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2024
Priority date	Apr 20, 2023
Publication date	Mar 24, 2026
Grant date	Mar 24, 2026

Abstract

A vehicle image recognition module includes an appearance member, an assembly member, an image capturing unit, and a color change assembly. The assembly member is disposed on an inside of the appearance member. The image capturing unit is disposed on the assembly member, and the appearance member is located on a front side of the image capturing unit. The color change assembly is disposed on the front side of the image capturing unit. The color change assembly is adapted to be switched between transparence and a opaque color.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle image recognition module, comprising:
an appearance member; an assembly member, disposed on an inside of the appearance member; an image-capturing unit, disposed on the assembly member, wherein the appearance member is located on a front side of the image-capturing unit; and a color-changing assembly is disposed on the front side of the image-capturing unit, wherein the color-changing assembly is adapted to be switched between transparence and an opaque color, wherein the assembly member is a housing and has a first accommodation space and a second accommodation space in communication with each other, the second accommodation space is located between the first accommodation space and the appearance member, the image-capturing unit is disposed in the first accommodation space, the color-changing assembly is disposed in the second accommodation space and is located between the appearance member and the image-capturing unit.

2 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein a front end of the first accommodation space communicates with the second accommodation space, the assembly member has a connecting surface in the second accommodation space, the front end of the first accommodation space is surrounded by the connecting surface, and the color-changing assembly is joined to the connecting surface.

3 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the opaque color is identical to a color of the appearance member.

4 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the appearance member comprises an opaque region and a light-transmitting region, the opaque region is adjacent to the light-transmitting region, and the light-transmitting region is aligned with the color-changing assembly and the image-capturing unit.

5 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 4 , wherein the opaque color is identical to a color of the opaque region.

6 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the color-changing assembly comprises an electrochromic glass.

7 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the color-changing assembly comprises a transparent light guide plate and a light source, the light source is adjacent to the transparent light guide plate and is adapted to emit a colored light whose color is identical to the opaque color to the transparent light guide plate.

8 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 7 , wherein the light source is adapted to emit an invisible light to the transparent light guide plate.

9 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , further comprising a light-sensing member, wherein the light-sensing member is disposed on the assembly member and is adapted to sense light intensity outside the appearance member.

10 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein when a distance between an object outside the appearance member and the appearance member is less than a preset value, the color-changing assembly is switched to be transparent.

11 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the appearance member is an appearance panel of a pillar, a side mirror, a front or rear side panel, a door, a tailgate, a trunk, an exterior ornamental panel, a front hood, or a portion of a front or rear bumper, of a vehicle.

12 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member, wherein the sealing member is disposed between the appearance member and the assembly member.

13 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the color-changing assembly is joined to the assembly member.

14 . The vehicle image recognition module according to claim 1 , wherein the color-changing assembly is engaged with the assembly member.

Assignees

• Chicony Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Chang Hsiu-Wen
• Liu Yen-Ting
• Liao Chih-Liang

Classifications

• B60R11/04

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60R2011/004

  outside the vehicle · CPC title

• B60R2011/0047

  using hidden fastening means · CPC title

• B60R2001/1253

  with cameras, video cameras or video screens · CPC title

• B60R1/22 Primary

  for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle · CPC title