Abstract:
The invention relates to a device, particularly for a tailgate ( 1 ) of a vehicle, comprising a camera unit ( 10 ) which is used to capture images of the outer region ( 4 ) of a vehicle, and a drive ( 20 ) by means of which the camera unit ( 10 ) can be transferred between a rest mode ( 2 ) and an operational mode ( 3 ), the camera unit ( 10 ) being protected from the outer region ( 4 ) by means of a cover element ( 11 ) when in the rest mode ( 2 ), an image being able to be captured by means of the camera unit ( 10 ) when in the operational mode ( 3 ), a control unit ( 30 ) being provided which is used to control a part of the vehicle, a carrier ( 40 ) being provided in which the camera unit ( 10 ) is arranged and which simultaneously acts as a housing for said camera unit ( 10 ), and the carrier ( 40 ) having such mounting interfaces ( 41 ) that the drive ( 20 ) and the control unit ( 30 ) are held on the carrier ( 40 ) in a reliable manner to form a common installation assembly which can be fixed to the vehicle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a device, particularly for a rear hatch of a vehicle, having a camera device which serves the purpose of producing images of the exterior of a vehicle, and having a drive by means of which it is possible to transition the camera device between a standby mode and an operating mode. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A camera device for the purpose of producing images of an exterior of a vehicle is disclosed in DE 10 2007 052 402.3. This camera device can be used in assisted parking applications for motor vehicles. The camera device produces in the interior of the vehicle an image of the external area, particularly the rear view of the motor vehicle, on a display screen for the vehicle drive, and this constitutes a significant aid for the driver. The practice of attaching such a device, having a camera device, on various different points of a vehicle, is known—for example on a bumper, on a quarter panel, on a rear body panel, etc. 
     In addition, a camera device is disclosed in DE 60 2004 003 255 T2 which has a drive which can move a cover element between a closed position and an open position. When the cover element is in the closed position, the camera device is protected from the outside world. In addition, configurations wherein both the drive and the camera device and/or the cover element can move are also known. Fixed camera devices are likewise known, wherein only the cover element is moved by the drive. 
     In addition, in many cases, the vehicle has operating devices, particularly in close proximity to the camera device, which can serve the purpose of operating various vehicle components. 
     It has proven disadvantageous that the installation of the components named above requires intensive inputs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The problem addressed by the present invention is that of creating a device of the type specified above which avoids the disadvantages named above, wherein particularly a device is provided which enables a simplified installation, while at the same time ensuring reliable functionality of the installed components on the vehicle. 
     According to the invention, the device has a camera device which serves the purpose of producing images of the external area of the vehicle. In addition, the device has a drive whereby it is possible to transition the camera device between a standby mode and an operating mode, wherein in the standby mode the camera device is protected from the outside area by a cover element, and in the operating mode it is possible to capture images by means of the camera device. In addition, an operating device is included which serves the purpose of operating a vehicle component. In addition, the device according to the invention has a support in which the camera device is arranged, which also functions simultaneously as the housing for the camera device. The support has particular attachment interfaces such that the drive and the operating device are reliably held on the support and form a unified assembly which can be attached to the vehicle. 
     The special feature of the invention is that it is possible to arrange both the camera device, and the drive and the operating device, on the support according to the invention, and to subsequently attach the same to the vehicle as one unified installation assembly. As such, it is possible to carry out a prefabrication, such that it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of time applied to the installation on the vehicle, and simultaneously to increase the ease of installation. In order to accordingly attach the camera device, the drive, and the operating device on the support, the support has corresponding attachment interfaces which provide a reliable hold for each respective component during the installation, and of course in the installed position of the device as a whole. A further advantage of the invention is that it is possible to install the assembly from only one side, in contrast to the prior art, wherein the assembly being installed is installed from the outside, and the remaining components are installed from the inside of the vehicle, by way of example. This difference according to the invention also contributes to further ease of installation. 
     In one possible embodiment of the invention, the drive can have a functional connection to the camera device such that the camera device can be moved between a standby position, in which the camera device is in the standby mode, and an operating position, in which the camera device is in the operating mode. According to the invention, it can be contemplated that a fixed camera device is included inside the support, and has the same position in both the standby mode and the operating mode. Only the cover element moves, via the drive, between a closed position and an open position—wherein in the open position, the camera device can capture an image of the exterior area of the vehicle. When the cover element is in the closed position, the camera device is in standby mode. As an alternative, the camera device can be mounted to move inside the support, wherein the drive provides a corresponding movement of the camera device. 
     The drive can have a functional connection to both the camera device and/or the cover element. It can likewise be contemplated that the camera device moves the cover element out of its closed position and into the open position by means of a movement of the camera device by the drive in a defined position of the camera device, in the direction of its operating position. 
     In addition, it can be contemplated that the operating device is a button which can be operated from the external area of the vehicle, and which is particularly connected to a locking and unlocking device of the rear hatch of the vehicle. The button can be an electronic button, by way of example, which can also function mechanically, wherein an actuation thereof moves contacts. Via an actuation thereof, contacts can be closed—meaning brought into contact with each other—thereby making it possible to trigger an operation of the vehicle component. The operating device can be designed as a membrane button which has conductive paths made of film. An actuation of this button leads to a connection of the conductive paths lying opposite each other, and therefore to a contact which serves the purpose of switching and/or operating a vehicle component. The button can also be a touch button which detects the reaction to pressure or to proximity. By way of example, a sound sensor, a capacitive switch, a piezo button, etc. can be contemplated. The locking and unlocking device can be a lock, by way of example, which functions such that the rear hatch can be locked and/or unlocked. 
     In a further measure which improves the invention, the mechanism can be designed in such a manner that the camera device can be moved on a path of a circle segment between the standby position and the operating position, wherein the path of the circle segment runs at least partially around the operating device. Because the camera device runs at least partially around the operating device, the configuration achieves a particularly space-saving construction of the device as a whole. 
     The mechanism can advantageously have one axis about which the camera device can be moved, wherein the axis is particularly oriented to the platform of the vehicle. However, the axis is generally oriented at an incline to the platform of the vehicle, at a defined angle. In contrast to the prior art, wherein the pivot axis runs horizontal to the platform of the vehicle, a compact construction can be achieved by the present invention. 
     In one possible embodiment of the device according to the invention, the attachment interfaces can be included on the outer contour of the support. The drive and/or the operating device are preferably attached on the outer contour of the support. The camera device is positioned inside of the support that is, in an interior space. 
     It is likewise possible for the drive and/or the operating device to be attached, in a positive-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, particularly via a locking connection and/or a clip connection. 
     The mechanism can preferably be arranged at least partially inside the support. It is likewise possible that the mechanism has a pivot arm which connects the camera device to the axis, wherein the pivot arm is particularly L-shaped and/or has an extension thereof which runs at an angle thereto. The L-shaped pivot arm is positioned behind the operating device, wherein the pivot arm is hinged on one side on the axis of rotation. The camera device is advantageously attached on the opposite side of the pivot arm, wherein this side of the pivot arm is arranged on the side of the operating device. 
     In one measure which improves the invention, the pivot arm can have a recess and/or attachment means for the camera device, in order to fix the camera device on the pivot arm. The recess and the attachment means can preferably form a monolithic component together with the pivot arm, wherein the recess is particularly a ring-shaped opening through which the camera device partially extends, and the attachment means is a locking element which reliably holds the camera device in the opening. 
     In addition, it can be contemplated that the mechanism has a coupling element with a driving dog which is hinged onto the coupling element and which is connected to the pivot arm in a torque-proof manner, wherein the coupling element can be moved by the drive. In addition, a crank element having an eccentric can be arranged between the coupling element and the drive, said eccentric engaging with the coupling element. 
     According to the invention, a part of the mechanism can be arranged inside the support, and particularly the pivot arm can be arranged, in a manner allowing movement, inside the support. In addition, it can be contemplated that a part of the mechanism is arranged outside of the support, and particularly that the coupling element and/or the driving dog and/or the crank element are positioned outside of the support. The drive, which can be a rotary drive, drives the crank element which rotates about an axis of rotation. In this manner, the eccentric arranged on the crank element acts on the coupling element, and the coupling element in turn pivots the driving dog about the axis which is simultaneously the axis of rotation of the pivot arm. Because the driving dog is connected in a torque-proof manner with the pivot arm, there is a movement of the camera device into its corresponding position. In this manner, the mechanism is designed to move the camera device in such a manner that the camera device pivots about the axis, from the standby position into the operating position, at an angle which is less than 30°, and preferably less than 20°. The camera device therefore only executes a minimal pivot movement, which is advantageous for the routing of the cables of the camera device, said cables leading out of the support and into the vehicle interior. 
     In one possible embodiment of the invention, a rod element can connect the cover element to the pivot arm and/or to the camera device, wherein the rod element is hinged on the cover element as well as on the pivot arm and/or on the camera device, and is able to move. At the same time, the cover element forms the unified installation assembly which can be attached to the vehicle. 
     In addition, the support can have exterior locking elements which serve to secure the installation assembly on the vehicle. The locking element can work together with a counter locking element which can be arranged on the support during the installation, thereby preventing the installation assembly from falling off of, and/or coming apart from, the vehicle. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the support has an opening through which the camera device extends, at least partially, when in its operating mode, and/or the camera device is oriented in the direction of the opening of the support in order to capture an image of the exterior area of the vehicle. The opening is oriented advantageously in the direction of the platform of the vehicle, such that no complex drainage is necessary. Upon every opening process of the cover element, potential moisture or water fractions are removed from the interior of the support. 
     The camera device can advantageously be sealed from the outside of the vehicle by two seal planes. It can likewise be contemplated that a first seal plane lies between the support and the vehicle—particularly the vehicle body panel—and a second seal plane lies between the cover element and the support, wherein particularly the first seal plane has a double seal. In this manner, the configuration achieves a reliable seal of the interior space of the support from the outside area of the vehicle. 
     The invention comprises a method for the attachment of the following components on a vehicle, particularly on a rear hatch of a vehicle:
         a camera device which functions to capture images of the outside area of the vehicle,   a drive, by means of which the camera device can be transitioned between a standby mode and an operating mode, wherein in the standby mode the camera device is protected via a cover element from the outside area, and in the operating mode it is possible for the camera device to capture an image,   an operating device which serves the purpose of operating a vehicle component.       

     The following installation steps are essential to the invention, wherein:
         (1) a support is included on which the camera device, the drive, the cover element, and the operating device are attached, and form a prefabricated installation assembly,   (2) the installation assembly is guided from the outside area of the vehicle through an opening of the vehicle and into the installation position inside the vehicle, and   (3) the reliable hold of the installation assembly is achieved by a mechanical securement.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Addition advantages, features, and details of the invention will become clear from the following description, wherein one embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the figures. The features indicated in the claims and in the description can be essential for the invention either individually or in any and all combinations thereof. In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional view of the device according to the invention, having a camera device which is in standby mode, 
         FIG. 2  shows the device according to  FIG. 1 , wherein the camera device is in an operating mode, 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded illustration of the essential components of the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 4  shows the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 2 , in another view, 
         FIG. 5  shows the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 , in another view, 
         FIG. 6 a    shows the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 , in a first installation step, 
         FIG. 6 b    shows the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 , in a second installation step, 
         FIG. 6 c    shows the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 , in a third installation step, 
         FIG. 7  shows a detail view of the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 , and 
         FIG. 8  shows a further detail view of the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The illustrated device according to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8  shows a camera device  10  which is attached, or can be attached, on a rear hatch  1  of a vehicle. In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the camera device is in its standby mode  2 , and at the same time in its standby position  2   a . In contrast, in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , the camera device  10  is in its operating mode  3  and therefore in its operating position  3   a . In the operating position  3   a , it is possible to capture an image of the outside area  4  of the motor vehicle. The camera device  10  is driven via a drive  20 . In the standby mode  2  as well as in the standby position  2   a , the camera device  10  is protected from the outside area  4  by a cover element  11 . 
     In addition, the device according to the invention has an operating device  30 , which serves the purpose of operating a vehicle component  7 . The vehicle component  7  is a lock  7  in the present embodiment, which can lock and/or unlock the rear hatch  1 . In this case, the operating device  30  is designed as a button which can be manually actuated by the user, by way of example. 
     As can be clearly seen in the embodiment, a support  40  is included which functions as a housing for the camera device  10 . The camera device  10  is arranged in an interior space  42  of the support  40 . The support  40  also has attachment interfaces  41  onto which the drive  20  can be attached, which is particularly shown in  FIG. 3 . The attachment interfaces  41  are arranged on the outer contour of the support  40 , wherein the first attachment interface  41   a  has a lock opening into which the drive  20  can engage with an opposing lock position. The second attachment interface  41   b , in contrast, has a lock projection which engages in a recess of the drive  20 . Both attachment interfaces  41  are additionally matched to the contour of the drive  20 , such that the configuration ensures a reliable hold of the drive  20  on the outer contour of the support  40 . 
     The operating device  30  is attached to the support  40  on the opposite side, on the outside thereof. The attachment can likewise be realized via a locking connection and/or a clip connection. Alternative attachment possibilities can be contemplated, particularly a material connection and/or force-fit connection and/or a positive-fit connection. 
     A mechanism  60  is located between the drive  20  and the camera device  10 , and functions to allow a corresponding movement of the camera device  10  and of the cover element  11 . The mechanism  60  has a pivot arm  62  which connects the camera device  10  to the pivot axis  61 . The pivot arm  62  is designed in an L-shape, wherein the axis  61  is located on one side of the pivot arm  62 . A recess  63  in the form of an opening is constructed on the opposite side of the pivot arm  62 . The recess  63  is—as can be easily seen in  FIG. 3 —designed with a ring shape which reliably holds the camera device  10 . In addition, the pivot arm  62  has an attachment means  64  molded onto the pivot arm [ 62 ] in the form of a locking element, which reliably holds the camera device  10  in the installed position on the pivot arm  62 . 
     In addition, the mechanism  60  has a coupling element  66  with a driving dog  67  hinged onto the same, said driving dog [ 67 ] being attached on the pivot arm  62  in a torque-proof manner. According to the illustrated embodiment, the pivot arm  62  has an opening  70  through which the driving dog  67  extends and is held in a torque-proof manner. As  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  particularly show, a crank element  68  with an eccentric  68   a  is arranged between the coupling element  66  and the drive  20 , wherein the eccentric  68   a  extends through an opening of the coupling element  66  and is reliably held there. 
     The special feature of the shown embodiment is that a part of the mechanism  60  is inside the support  40 , wherein particularly the pivot arm  62  is positioned inside the interior space  42  of the support  40  and is able to move. In addition, a part of the mechanism  60  is arranged outside of the support  40 , so that the transmission of force from the outside drive  20  can be directed into the interior space  42 . For this purpose, it is necessary that the coupling element  66 , the driving dog  67 , and the crank element  68  are positioned outside of the support  40 . 
     At this point, starting from the standby position  2   a  of the camera device  10 , which is shown in  FIG. 5 , a rotary movement and/or rotation of the crank element  68  occurs via the drive  20  in a clockwise fashion. As a result, the eccentric  68   a  presses the coupling element  66  down, thereby pivoting the driving dog  67  counterclockwise a few angular degrees about the axis  61 , and into the position shown in  FIG. 4 . In this way, a force is exerted on the pivot arm  62 , which likewise moves counterclockwise about the axis  61 , as shown in  FIG. 4  and/or  FIG. 5 ; at the same time, the camera device  10  moves toward the opening  43 . 
     As is particularly indicated by  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 7 , a rod element  69  is included which connects the cover element  11  to the pivot arm  62 . In this case, the rod element  69  is designed as a ball rod which is designed with a ball shape on both of its free ends. These two ends are each movably jointed in a spherical calotte  12  on the inner side of the cover element  11  and in a calotte  71  of the pivot arm  62 . The calotte  71  is situated in the area of the recess  63  of the pivot arm  62 . If at this point the pivot arm  62  moves about its axis  61 , and the camera device  10  moves out of the standby position  2   a  into the operating position  3   a , the pivot arm  62  simultaneously will press the cover element  11 , via the rod element  69 , out of its closed position  5  and into the open position  6 . The cover element  11  is able to pivot on the support  40 , in a rotary movement, via a trunnion link  13 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The cover element  11  is advantageously spring-loaded, such that a movement of the cover element  11  in the direction of the closed position  5  is supported by the spring loading. 
     As is particularly indicated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , and/or  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the camera device  10  is pivoted about the axis  61  from the standby position  2   a  into the operating position  3   a , at a minimal angle α, which in the present embodiment is less than 30°. Particularly for the purpose of installing the pivot arm  62  with the camera device  10  into the interior space  42  of the support  40 , the support  40  in  FIG. 3  has an opening  44  and  45  through which it is possible to bring the corresponding components into the interior space  42 . Next, these openings  44 ,  45  can be closed by two covers  46 ,  47 . In addition, the support  40  has a perforation  48  through which the cable element—which is not explicitly illustrated—of the camera device  10  extends. A rubber element  49 , particularly a boot, is attached inside the perforation  48 , in order to prevent unnecessary loads on the cable element when the camera device  10  moves. 
       FIGS. 6 a  to 6 c    show clearly that the support  40  with the camera device  10 , the drive  20 , the operating device  30 , and the cover element  11  form a prefabricated installation assembly which can be guided through an opening  8  of the rear hatch  1  as a unified component and/or as a unified installation assembly. Next, in a further installation step, this installation assembly is securely fixed on the rear hatch  1  via a locking element  65  which is arranged on the exterior of the support  40  like a projection. For this purpose, an opposing locking element  9  according to  FIG. 6 b    is necessary, and is designed as a bracket which is pushed below the locking element  65  in the method step shown (see  FIG. 6 c   ). The opposing locking element  9  can additionally have locking elements which prevent a loosening of the opposing locking element  9 . According to  FIG. 6 c   , the support  40  has a further locking element, which is not explicitly shown, which lies on the side opposite that of the locking element  65 . The installation of the device according to the invention is completed according to  FIG. 6   c.    
       FIG. 8  shows that the camera device  10  is sealed from the outside area  4  of the vehicle by two seal planes  81 ,  82 . In this case, the device according to the invention has a first seal plane  81  which lies between the support  40  and the vehicle, particularly the vehicle body panel. The first seal plane  81  is designed with a double seal  81   a, b  according to this embodiment. A seal  81   a  is arranged on the support  40 . A second seal  81   b  is included directly next to the seal  81   a , and is arranged on the vehicle body panel  41 . The second seal plane  82  lies between the cover element  11  and the support  40 . The seals of the first and the second seal planes  81 ,  82  are preferably sprayed onto the support  40  and/or onto the vehicle body panel  14 . A sealing of the interior space  42  is reliably achieved via this double seal  81 ,  82 . 
     In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , it is clear that the camera device  10  is moved on a path of a circle segment  15  between the standby position  2   a  and the operating position  3   a . In this case, the path of a circle segment  15  partially runs around the operating device  30 . As such, the configuration achieves a compact construction overall. 
     As is particularly shown in  FIG. 6 b   , the rotary axis  61  about which the pivot arm  62  and the camera device  10  can be moved is oriented at an incline to the platform  16  of the vehicle. Such a kinematic arrangement functions so that the camera device  10  only travels a minimal pivot path between the standby position  2   a  and the operating position  3   a.    
       FIG. 5  shows a further special feature of the mechanism  60  which is arranged between the drive  20  and the camera device  10 . In the standby position  2   a  of the camera device  10 , the coupling element  66  is situated above its dead center—meaning that the dead center has been exceeded. At the same time, the pivot arm  62  is on a limit stop  17 . The driving dog  67  is also designed with a narrowing  72 , which is shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . In this way, the cover element  11  is held in a stable closed position  5 . This means that the configuration effectively prevents a willful opening of the cover element  11  from outside. This is based on the fact that the coupling element  66  has slightly exceeded its dead center. If at this point the drive  20  is activated in order to move the camera device  10  in the direction of the operating position  3   a , a rotary movement of the crank element  68  occurs counterclockwise, wherein the coupling element  66 —generally speaking—moves along upwards. Because, however, the pivot arm  62  is already abutting the limit stop, the driving dog  67  cannot move about the axis  61  in a clockwise fashion. As a result of the narrowing  72 , an elastic deformation of the driving dog  67  occurs up to the dead center of the coupling element  66  and/or of the crank element  68 . The crank element  68  moves further counterclockwise, and carries the coupling element  66 , via the eccentric  68   a , further with it. After the dead center has been exceeded, the driving dog  67  deforms back into its original contour and rotates counterclockwise about the axis  61 . In this manner, force is transmitted to the pivot arm  62 , which brings the camera device  10  into the operating position  3   a  according to  FIG. 4 , and pivots the same about the axis  61 .