Abstract:
A monitoring system sufficient to provide a driver with video or other visual indicators for purposes of assessing an area external to a vehicle when underway is contemplated. The monitoring system may be configured as a camera-based monitoring system including a camera for viewing blind spots or other difficult to view areas when a vehicle is driven in reverse or otherwise operating in a manner where a direction of travel or other course of action produces a hazard or other concern within an exterior environment difficult for the driver to view or otherwise assess. The monitoring system may include a mounting system sufficient for mounting the camera to a spare-tire hub assembly used for securing a spare tire to a rear door or other rear-facing component of the vehicle in an exposed, vertical orientation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 62/218,805 filed Sep. 15, 2015 the disclosure and benefit of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to monitoring systems sufficient to provide a driver with video or other visual indicators for purposes of assessing an area external to a vehicle when underway, such as but not necessary limited to a camera-based monitoring system for viewing blind spots or other difficult to view areas when a vehicle is driven in reverse or otherwise operating in a manner where a direction of travel or other course of action produces a hazard or other concern within an exterior environment difficult for the driver to view or otherwise assess. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various types of vessels, automobiles, planes, trailers, etc., collectively and interchangeably referred to as vehicles, may include a camera-based monitoring system to provide a driver with video of blind spots or other difficult to view areas when underway. One such system for automobiles commonly includes a passenger-compartment display operating in cooperation with a camera mounted to a rear bumper or other rear-facing portion of the automobile to enable a driver to view an rearward area when traveling in reverse. The system may be included at the time of vehicle manufacturer/assembly as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system and added after vehicle manufacturer/assembly as an aftermarket system. The OEM systems can become problematic and operate improperly when additional aftermarket components are added to obstruct a viewing angle of an OEM camera, e.g., the OEM bumper camera may become obstructed when an OEM spare tire is replaced with a larger aftermarket spare tire. The aftermarket systems can present difficulties when modifying the vehicle to accommodate a support or other structure needed to secure an aftermarket camera, e.g., through-hole drilling or other techniques for retaining an aftermarket camera may damage or permanently disfigure body panels, bumpers, etc. One non-limiting aspect of the present invention contemplates ameliorating these and other issues attendant to use of both the OEM and aftermarket systems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle having a monitoring system in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates a more detailed view of the monitoring system in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear-view of the monitoring system in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates an assembly view of the monitoring system in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the monitoring system in accordance with one non-minting aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle  10  having a monitoring system  12  in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. The monitoring system  12  is shown to include a camera  14  mounted proximate a spare tire  16  to facilitate recording or otherwise capturing images and/or video of an area behind the vehicle  10  for display to a vehicle occupant via a passenger-compartment display system (not shown). The present invention is predominately described with respect to the monitoring system  12  being particularly suitable for providing assistance when operating an automobile in reverse or in another manner where it may be desirable to provide the driver or other vehicle occupant with video of blind spots, difficult to view areas or other external areas captured with the camera  14 . While the present invention is predominately described with respect to automobile usage and capturing video, this is done for exemplary non-limiting purposes as the present invention fully contemplates its use and application with other vehicles, vessels, planes, trailers, etc., collectively and interchangeably referred to as vehicles, as well as for mounting other devices besides and/or in addition to the camera, e.g., other sensor devices like radar, infrared (IR) sensors, etc. may be included. 
         [0011]    The monitoring system  12  may be included on the vehicle  10  at the time of manufacturer/assembly as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system and/or added after vehicle manufacturer/assembly as an aftermarket system. The monitoring  12  system is shown to facilitate positioning the camera  14  to peer through the spare tire  16  so that a majority of an associated viewing angle  18  is unobstructed. The monitoring system may beneficial at the time of vehicle assembly/manufacturer to accommodate manufacturing variances associated with different vehicle models, trim packages or customer preferences and/or after vehicle assembly/manufacturer to accommodate OEM component modifications or the addition of aftermarket items. The camera  14  may be attached to a spare-tire hub assembly  20  without damaging or others permanently disfigure body panels, bumpers, etc. with brackets, through-holes or other features added to support/mount the camera. The elevated positioning of the camera may also be beneficial in allowing images/video to be captured above a rear bumper to provide better feedback than images captured from lower areas of the vehicle and/or to facilitate augmenting or displaying images in cooperation with an OEM camera included in the bumper or other lower area of the vehicle (not shown). 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates the spare tire  16  removed to provide a more detailed view of the monitoring system  12  in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. The monitoring system  12  may include a mounting system  24  configured for mounting and adjusting positioning of the camera  14  on the spare-tire hub assembly  20  included on a rearward end of vehicle  10 . The mounting assembly  24  is shown to facilitate arranging the camera  14  in the elevated position using a linkage  26  and an arm  28  interconnecting with a plate  30  supported on a plurality of studs  32  extending from a vertical surface  34  of a tire hub/mount  36  included as part of the spare-tire hub assembly. A plurality of apertures  40  included in the plate  30  may be arranged in a predefined pattern and shaped to permit one or more of the plurality of studs  32  to fit therethrough for purposes of securely mounting to the vehicle  10 . The plurality of apertures  40  may cooperate with the linkage  26  and the arm  28  to facilitate orientating the plate  30  at a number of angles and positions so as to provide variability in positioning the camera  14  to accommodate various spare tire sizes and/or other obstructions that may be present on the vehicle  10  while also providing multiple attachment options to facilitate usage with other spare-tire hub assembly configurations. 
         [0013]    The monitoring system  12  may include a cable (not shown) threaded through the vehicle  10  to facilitate communications between the camera  14  and the passenger-compartment display system. The cable may be concealed along the length of the vehicle  14  between interior trim and exterior body panels, under carpeting, etc. whereby access thereto may be gained by removing trim panels, wedging the cable through channels or cracks created between adjoining body panels and/or discretely adding a small through hole or other relief. The camera  14  may also include wireless capabilities sufficient to facilitate wirelessly communicating the images/video to the passenger-compartment display system instead of the cable. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of fasteners  44  may be threaded or otherwise attached rearward of a rim  46  of the spare tire  16  to one or more of the plurality of studs  32  to secure the spare tire  16  thereto. The plate  30  may be positioned between the spare tire  16  and the vertical surface  34  of the hub  36  for securement via a compressive force generated with the plurality of fasteners  44  engaging with a corresponding one of the plurality of studs  32 . The mounting system  24  may provide a stable platform for the camera  14  against vibrations and other forces generated while the vehicle  10  is driven to prevent camera displacement. 
         [0014]    The mounting system  24  is shown to be secured via the fasteners  44  and studs  32  for exemplary and non-limiting purposes as the plate  30  or other feature of the mounting system  24  may be affixed to the vertical surface  34  or other component of the spare-tire hub assembly  20  and/or the vehicle  14  without deviating from the scope and contemplation of the present invention. Additional features for securing the plate  30  to the spare-tire hub assembly  20  or other feature of the vehicle  10  may include straps, clamps, screws, adhesive materials and the like as well as press-fit washers, gaskets, dampeners and other mechanisms to limit vibration and other disruptions and/or to facilitate supporting the mounting system  24  when assembling. The fasteners  44  may be threaded nuts capable of being easily attached and removed from the studs  32  to facilitate removably attaching the mounting system  24 . The apertures  40  may also include press-fitting elements or similar components to facilitate affixing itself to the studs  32  independently of and/or in addition to the fasteners  44 . The plate  30 , linkage  26  and arm  28  are described as being independent, standalone components configured to provide mechanical interconnections therebetween for exemplary non-limiting purposes as one or more of the plate  30 , linkage  26  and arm  28  may be integral or formed from the same or a singular piece of material and/or omitted, e.g., the arm  28  and/or the camera  14  may be attached directly to the plate  30 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear-view of the monitoring system  12  in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. The rear-view illustrates the mounting system  24  positioning the camera  14  to peer through one of a plurality of openings  50  radially arranged about a center of the rim (shown in two positions  12 ,  12 ′). The mounting system  24  may be configured to position the camera  14  proximate a rearward face  52  of the rim  46  defined along a rearward edge of the opening  50  so as to enable substantially all of the viewing angle  18  to be unobstructed, e.g., the camera  14  may have a 180° or other viewing angle whereby positioning even with or rearward beyond the rearward edge  52  of the opening  50  to permit the viewing angle to be substantially unobstructed. The positioning of the camera  14  within one of the openings  50  is shown for exemplary non-limiting purposes as the present invention fully contemplates adjusting or configuring a size and/or shape of the mounting system  24 , e.g., lengthening the linkage  26  and/or the arm  28 , such that the camera  14  can be positioned above or outside of an outer perimeter of the spare tire  16  in a position sufficient to peer around the spare tire  16 . The ability to position the camera  14  above or outside of the spare tire  16 , and optionally above a top  56  of the vehicle  10 , may be beneficial in providing a 360° view around the vehicle  10  in the event the camera  14  includes a 360° viewing angle and/or in the event multiple cameras are mounted towards different areas. 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates an assembly view of the monitoring system  12  in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. The assembly view illustrates an exemplary attachment of the spare tire  16  to the spare-tire hub assembly  20  using three fasteners  44  to secure the studs  32  and the mounting system  24  positioned therebetween. The mounting system  24  is shown as being arranged to position the camera  14  in a straight line or in a direction that may be characterized as directly upward or vertical. This positioning may correspond with the plate  30  being parallel with the hub surface  34  and with the arm  28  orientating the camera  14  in a direction predominantly perpendicular thereto such that an angle of the camera  14  is acute to the plate  30  and hub surface  34 . A distal end  58  of the arm  28  affixed to the camera  14  is shown as being articulated to facilitate directing the camera  14  in a downward direction to provide a desired viewing area for the driver when in the illustrated position. An arrow is shown for illustrative purposes to highlight the adjustability of the mounting system  24  whereby the plate  30  may be rotated to facilitate orientating any one or more of the apertures  40  relative to the rearwardly extending studs  32 . The capability to adjust the plate  30  in this manner may be beneficial in orientating the mounting system  24  with different stud configurations and/or arrangements other than the illustrated equidistant, radial spacing. 
         [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the mounting system  24  and a connection of the camera  14  to the display system  62  in accordance with one non-minting aspect of the present invention. A cable  64  may include a connector  66  or other suitable feature for plugging into a junction box, control module or other feature associated with the display system  62 , e.g., the connector  66  may attached to an in-dash panel associated with an existing infotainment system, radio, heads-up display, etc. The display system module may include software stored on a memory and a processor to facilitate processing and displaying images provided from the camera. A reflash or other memory altering process may be performed to re-program the module to facilitate processing data from the camera  14  to work with existing display elements within the vehicle  10 . A display may also be added to the vehicle  10  in the event the vehicle  10  lacks an existing display capability sufficient to facilitate providing the desired feedback to the driver. The cable  64  is shown as being loosely led from the camera  14  for illustrative purposes as shrink wrap, zip ties or other features may be included to attach the cable  64  to portions of the hub assembly  20  while being fed back into the vehicle  10  for connection. 
         [0018]    The camera  14  is shown as a charge-coupled device (CCD) attached to the distal end  58  of the arm using  28  a threaded screw  68  to provide an essentially unmovable connection for exemplary purposes as the camera  14  may be affixed thereto using other features, such as but not necessary limited to a clip, a micro-hinge or other element sufficient to retain the camera in a desired position against vibratory forces generated during vehicle operation. An arm fastener  70  and a plate fastener  72  may be included to respectively attached the arm  28  to the linkage  26  and the linkage  26  to the plate  30 . The arm and plate fasteners  70 ,  72  may be threaded screws, bolts and nuts or other connectors sufficient to enable the components to rotate about corresponding pivot points and thereafter be secured in place. The arm and plate fasteners  70 ,  72  are shown to be secured within a respective one of an arm channel  74  and a plate channel  76  included within the linkage  26 . The arm and plate fasteners  70 ,  72  may be fastened at any point along the corresponding arm and plate channels  74 ,  76  to facilitate longitudinally adjusting positioning therein. Reference arrows are shown to demonstrate four-degrees of movement resulting from the radial and longitudinal adjustment capabilities associated with the arm and plate fasteners and channels  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 . When coupled with the above-described radial adjustment of the plate  30 , the mounting system  24  may be characterized as exhibiting five-adjustment mechanisms to facilitate positioning the camera  14  in the illustrated x, y and z directions. 
         [0019]    The apertures  40  included in the plate  30  are shown as being shaped to include a width (W) slightly greater than a diameter of the studs  32  and a length (L) greater than the width. The shaping of the apertures  40  may be beneficial in further facilitating positioning of the camera  14  and providing flexibility sufficient to accommodate studs  32  arranged in a different manner, i.e., the length being greater than the width enables the studs  32  to be positionable there along to facilitate longitudinal adjustments. Press nuts or other elements may optionally be included within the apertures  40  or added thereafter to facilitate maintaining orientation of the plate  30  to the studs while the spare tire fasteners  44  are being applied, e.g., press nuts can be used to temporarily hold the plate  30  in position until the spare tire  16  is attached. The apertures  40  are also shown as being non-equidistantly spaced relative to a center of the plate  30  so as to provide additional options when being orientated for connection to the studs  32 . The apertures  40  may be formed in the illustrated pattern with three aperture proximate an upper half of the plate  30  near the camera  14  and three apertures proximate a lower half so as to ensure at least one, and preferably two, of the studs  32  can fit therethrough. The apertures  40  are illustrated as each having the same, generally elongated shape for exemplary, non-limiting purposes as apertures  40  having other shapes and sizes are contemplated, including some of the apertures  40  having different shapes/sizes than the others. 
         [0020]    The size and shape of the plate  30  may also be similarly adapted to facilitate attachment to other vehicle components besides the spare tire hub assembly  20 . A center aperture  80  may be included to accommodate shafts or other protuberances that may be included on spare-tire hub assemblies differing from that illustrated above, such as spare-tire hub assemblies that utilize an axle instead of or in addition to the above-described studs  32  to facilitate spare tire attachment. The plate  30  may include a body portion  82  having a generally cello shape with a tab  84  extending therefrom proximate a central one of the top apertures  40 . The cello shape may be beneficial in limiting the amount of material used in forming the plate  30  as well as to facilitate ease of handling and placement relative to the spare-tire hub assembly  20 . The tab  84  may be an optional feature included to facilitate attachment to the linkage  26  and/or the arm  28 , i.e., the arm  28  can be attached directly to the tab  84  without use of the linkage  26  and the arm  28  and/or the linkage  26  may be attached to the body portion  82  without use of the tab  84 . 
         [0021]    As described above, one aspect of the present invention contemplates a camera mounting system including a structure, bracket to clear the tire (z-dimension), and a second adapter bracket to provide an x-y adjustment and then a base mounting bracket with the function to facilitate the camera mounting to the car without interfering with the wheel attachment functionality, the lug nuts. The contemplated design may be used to provide a better rear camera mounting solution for vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler that has a spare tire carrier on the back of the vehicle. The design solution involves an easy-to-install stamped metal bracket to mount a rear-facing camera that places the camera in a high, centered, protected position. The bracket mounts easily between the spare tire wheel and the spare tire-mounting bracket of the vehicle. This sandwich design holds the bracket secure at all times. A camera is mounted to the top of the bracket and designed to be thin enough to “poke out” of the spare tire wheel design once the spare tire is remounted to the vehicle. Wiring from the camera is run through the vehicle to a source of electrical power and a signal source for when the vehicle is put in reverse. The back-up camera mounting bracket also features adjustability for different spare tire wheel designs. Unique wheels and tires are a common automotive aftermarket accessory, and available designs for purchase run into the hundreds, or several hundreds. It&#39;s very hard to predict exactly how the between-spoke openings of the spare tire will orient once mounted, there is no standard. As such, this solution for adapting a wheel-spoke opening camera mount features an adjustable mounting bracket extension that allows for height (up-down), width (side to side) and depth (in and out) adjustability to allow the camera to protrude from the vast majority of wheel designs. By being securely mounted behind the spare tire, with the camera protected within the opening of the wheel, the system is unobtrusive, unlikely to get knocked into, and is very hard for a thief to remove. 
         [0022]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.