MULTIFUNCTIONAL ELECTRONIC ARMATURE

A multifunctional electronic armature for a motor vehicle includes a housing mounted to the motor vehicle, wherein the housing articulates from a first position where the housing is flush with the outer trim or body panel of the motor vehicle and a second position where the housing is extended from the outer trim or body panel of the motor vehicle, a first electronic device mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position, and a second electronic device mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a multifunctional electronic armature for a motor vehicle that replaces a side-view mirror, and more particularly to an armature that moves between an exposed position and a concealed position and that has image capturing and signaling capabilities to replace a side-view mirror and add additional functionality.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicles have been designed with increasingly advanced technologies aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and performance of the motor vehicle. Examples of such technologies include advanced driver assistance systems and human machine interface systems. Generally, advanced driver assistance systems automate, adapt, or enhance vehicle systems in order to increase vehicle safety and/or operator driving performance. Advanced driver assistance systems are designed to avoid accidents by offering technologies that alert the driver to potential problems or to avoid collisions by implementing safeguards, such as autonomously controlling the vehicle. Operator driving performance may be improved by using features that enhance certain systems, such as automated lighting, automated parking, adaptive cruise control, automated braking, or improved blind spot elimination using camera technology. Human machine interface systems generally include systems that provide graphics-based visualization of a control system, either to the user of the motor vehicle or to an individual external to the motor vehicle. An example of such a device is a projector system that projects images onto or around the motor vehicle to communicate information regarding the status of the motor vehicle.

The addition of these advanced technologies to the motor vehicle in turn requires a range of additional hardware to implement these systems. Examples of this hardware include rear-view side cameras, surround-view cameras, sensors, projectors, etc. Thus, while advanced driver assistance systems and human machine interface systems are useful for their intended purpose, there is a constant challenge in packaging and controlling these systems efficiently while not degrading the drivability, fuel efficiency, and appearance of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, a need exists for a device that effectively houses and controls these advanced technologies.

SUMMARY

A multifunctional electronic armature for a motor vehicle is provided. The multifunctional electronic armature may replace the traditional side-view mirror of the motor vehicle. The multifunctional electronic armature includes a housing mounted to the motor vehicle, wherein the housing articulates from a first position where the housing is flush with the outer trim or body panel of the motor vehicle and a second position where the housing is extended from the outer trim or body panel of the motor vehicle, a first electronic device mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position, and a second electronic device mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.

In one aspect, the first electronic device is a rear-view side camera.

In another aspect, the second electronic device is a turn signal indicator.

In another aspect, a surround-view camera is mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.

In another aspect, a projector is mounted within the housing that is concealed when the housing is in the first position and that is exposed when the housing is in the second position.

In another aspect, the housing substantially surrounds the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

In another aspect, an electronically controlled actuator is connected to the housing for moving the housing between the first position and the second position.

In another aspect, the housing includes a pivot point connected to the motor vehicle and the actuator pivots the housing between the first position and the second position.

In another aspect, the housing includes an outer surface visible relative to an exterior of the motor vehicle when the housing is in the first and second positions and an inner surface visible relative to an exterior of the motor vehicle only when in the second position.

In another aspect, the inner surface defines a first aperture for receiving the first electronic device and a second aperture for receiving the second electronic device.

In another aspect, the outer surface includes a decorative feature or a badge indicative of a manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

In another aspect, the outer surface has an apex that points towards a front of the motor vehicle when the housing is in the second position to create an aerodynamic profile.

Further aspects, examples, and advantages will become apparent by reference to the following description and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG. 1, a pair of right and left multifunctional electronic armatures are illustrated and indicated by reference numbers10and10′, respectively. The armatures10,10′ are pivotally mounted to a motor vehicle12. In the example provided, the motor vehicle12is illustrated as a passenger vehicle. However, the motor vehicle12may be a truck, sport utility vehicle, van, motor home, or any other type of vehicle without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Relative to an operator of the motor vehicle12, the motor vehicle12includes a right front quarter panel or outer body trim14and a left front quarter panel or outer body trim14′. The right and left outer body trim14,14′ are forward of right and left front doors16,16′, respectively. A slot18is formed in the right outer body trim14and is sized to receive the armature10therein. Likewise, a slot18′ is formed in the left outer body trim14′ and is sized to receive the armature10′ therein. The slots18,18′ are preferably aligned with right and left A-pillars20,20′, respectively. Thus, the armatures10,10′ are each located approximately where a side-view mirror would be located in a conventional motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the armatures10,10′ are mounted to the motor vehicle12at a widest point of the motor vehicle12.

Turning toFIGS. 2A-2D, the armature10is shown in two configurations. As the armatures10,10′ are substantially identical, only the right side armature10will hereinafter be described in detail, it being understood that the description of the armature10substantially applies to the armature10′. The armature10is pivotally mounted to the motor vehicle12at a pivot point22. The armature10is pivoted at the pivot point22about an axis A-A between a first position or concealed position, shown inFIG. 2A, and a second position or extended position, shown inFIGS. 2B-2D. The armature10includes a housing24having an inner or back surface26and an outer or forward surface28. The forward surface28may have a decorative feature or a badge indicative of a manufacturer of the motor vehicle12or may include an apex29to create an aerodynamic profile. A portion of the back surface26or an end surface30connects the back surface26and the forward surface28. The end surface30is angled with respect to the back surface26and the forward surface28. The housing24further includes a top surface32and a bottom surface34, shown inFIG. 2C. The top and bottom surfaces32,34are substantially planar and perpendicular to the axis A-A.

In the first or concealed position illustrated inFIG. 2A, the armature10is substantially hidden within the motor vehicle12so that the back surface26is concealed while only the forward surface28is visible relative to an exterior of the motor vehicle12. Preferably, the forward surface28is substantially flush with the outer body trim14. In the second or extended position illustrated inFIGS. 2B-2D, the armature10is extended out from the motor vehicle12so that the back surface26faces rearward relative to the motor vehicle12, the forward surface28faces forward relative to the motor vehicle12, and the end surface30extends out away from the outer body trim14of the motor vehicle12.

Turning toFIG. 3, and with continued reference toFIGS. 2A-2D, the armature10includes a plurality of electronic devices40housed within the housing24. The electronic devices40may generally be categorized into sensors for capturing information and emitters, indicators, or human machine interface (HMI) systems that provide information regarding a status of the motor vehicle12. The sensors operate to sense multiple sets of data for use by an operator or control unit of the motor vehicle while the emitters, indicators, and HMI systems emits or projects multiple sets of information to an observer external to the motor vehicle. Various combinations of electronic devices40may be housed within the armature10depending on the functionality desired. However, in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of electronic devices40includes a rear-view side camera42, a surround-view camera44, a turn signal46, and a projector48.

The rear-view side camera42is disposed within an aperture50in the housing24of the armature10disposed on the back surface26. The rear-view side camera42is configured to capture rear-view images relative to the motor vehicle12when the armature10is extended. The surround-view camera44is disposed within an aperture52in the housing24on the end surface30. The surround-view camera44is configured to capture a wide field of view around the side of the motor vehicle12when the armature10is extended. The field of view captured by the surround-view camera44is combined with other fields of view from other cameras to generate a surround-view of the motor vehicle12. The turn signal46is disposed on the back surface26and may be activated to indicate a desired turn. The projector48is disposed in an aperture54formed in the bottom surface34of the armature10. The projector48is configured to project an image or a dynamic image on a surface to a side of the motor vehicle12on which the motor vehicle12is operating. Examples of images include turn signal arrows, messages, etc.

Each of the electronic devices40is in electronic communication with an armature control unit (ACU)58via any wired connection, for example a bus network. The ACU58is disposed within the armature10and is a non-generalized, electronic control device having a preprogrammed digital computer or processor, memory or non-transitory computer readable medium used to store data such as control logic or instructions, and a plurality of input/output peripherals. The processor is configured to execute the control logic or instructions. The ACU58is in electronic communication with a vehicle control module60disposed in the motor vehicle12. The vehicle control module60may be an engine control module, transmission control module, body control module, etc. The vehicle control module60may be in communication with a display device62. The display device62is located in the motor vehicle12and is viewable by operator of the motor vehicle12. The display device62may be located in an instrument panel, heads-up-display, or dashboard of the motor vehicle12or may be a separate, standalone display screen. Images from the rear-view side camera42and the surround-view camera44may be displayed on the display device62.

The armature10further includes an actuator64housed within the housing24to move the armature10between the concealed and extended positions. The actuator64is preferably an electric motor and, upon command, actuates a pivot connection66that articulates the armature10about the pivot point22.

The armature10effectively replaces the traditional side-view mirror assembly with a fully automatic, modular component. When the motor vehicle12is moving, the armature10is extended and the electronic devices40are exposed and in their operating positions thus providing additional utility beyond a traditional side-view mirror. Since no mirror is needed, the armature10also has a reduced cross-sectional profile relative to a traditional mirror, thus reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency. When the motor vehicle12is stopped or parked, the armature10moves to the concealed position, thus concealing the electronic devices40and protecting the armature10from damage.