Patent Publication Number: US-2020301257-A1

Title: Extendable camera assembly for vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     See Application Data Sheet. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB) 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an extendable camera assembly for a vehicle. The invention is primarily intended for on road vehicles, but is not limited to this use. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
     There are many instances where the view of a vehicle driver is obstructed, either by structures, trees, vehicles, or other items. These instances increase the risk of an accident. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. 
     It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an extendable camera assembly for a vehicle having a number plate, the assembly comprising:
         a mount arm adapted for mounting to the vehicle via mounting bolts for the number plate;   at least one pivot arm pivotably mounted to the mount arm and extendable therefrom between folded and extended positions, wherein a distal end of the pivot arm is disposed away from the vehicle in the extended position, and   a camera mounted to the distal end of the at least one arm, wherein in the extended position of the pivot arm, the camera extends outside the lateral perimeter envelope of the vehicle.       

     Preferably, the at least one pivot arm comprises a first arm pivotably mounted to the mount arm, and a second arm pivotably mounted to the first arm, wherein the camera is mounted to the free end of the second arm. 
     Preferably, the first pivot arm is pivotably connected to the mount arm at a first end thereof, with an actuatable first rotator therebetween for varying the angle between the mount arm and the first pivot arm as required. 
     Preferably, a second end of the first pivot arm is pivotably connected to a first end of the second arm, with an actuatable second rotator therebetween for varying the angle between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm as required. 
     Preferably, a camera mount for the camera is pivotably mounted to a second end of the second pivot arm, with an actuatable third rotator therebetween for varying the orientation between the second pivot arm and the camera mount as required. 
     Preferably, the mount arm, the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm are adapted to be generally stacked or superimposed over each other in a folded configuration of the assembly. 
     Preferably, the assembly further includes control means for the driver to be able to control the distance, position and direction of the camera relative to the vehicle. 
     Preferably, the assembly is adapted to move back to the folded configuration thereof automatically once the vehicle starts moving. 
     Preferably, the maximum and preferred distance and angle settings for the camera and the pivot arms can be adjusted and set. 
     Preferably, the assembly further includes sensors in the camera and/or the pivot arms to avoid hitting obstacles such as structures or close vehicles. 
     In another embodiment, the mount arm has a first end and a second end and is adapted to extend along a bottom edge portion of the number plate, the mount arm having a flat low profile to the number plate and extends to be substantially co-extensive as the number plate between the first and second ends thereof. 
     In another embodiment, the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm having a first proximal end and a second distal end, wherein the first proximal end of the first pivot arm is pivotably connected to the second end of the mount arm, with an actuatable first rotator therebetween for varying the angle between the mount arm and the first pivot arm as required. 
     In another embodiment, a camera mount for a camera is rotatably mounted to the second distal end of the first pivot arm with an actuatable rotator therebetween for varying the rotation orientation between the first pivot arm and the camera mount as required. 
     In another embodiment, the camera is a 2-way camera which can view both lateral directions. 
     In another embodiment, a camera is fixedly mounted to the second distal end of the first pivot arm. 
     In another embodiment, the camera is a 360° type camera which can view in all directions. 
     In another embodiment, the first pivot arm is substantially of the same length as the mount arm and is parallel to the mount arm in the folded configuration, wherein in the folded configuration, the camera mount is substantially aligned with the first end of the mount arm. 
     In another embodiment, the mount arm is formed as a mounting plate for the number plate, being a perimeter plate with a central transparent display panel. 
     Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an extendable camera assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section showing an example pivot point for the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an extendable camera assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 3 , with both the folded and extended position of the first pivot arm being illustrated. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show an extendable camera assembly  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The extendable camera assembly  10  comprises a mount arm  20 , a first pivot arm  30  and a second pivot arm  40 . 
     The mount arm  20  is adapted for mounting to the vehicle, for example to the number plate mounting points or bracket thereof. The first pivot arm  30  is pivotably connected to the mount arm  20  at a first end  32  thereof, with an actuatable first rotator  50   a  therebetween for varying the angle between the mount arm  20  and the first pivot arm  30  as required. A second end  34  of the first pivot arm  30  is pivotably connected to a first end  42  of the second arm  40 , with an actuatable second rotator  50   b  therebetween for varying the angle between the first pivot arm  30  and the second pivot arm  40  as required. A camera mount  60  for a camera  70  is pivotably mounted to a second end  44  of the second pivot arm  40 , with an actuatable third rotator  50   c  therebetween for varying the orientation between the second pivot arm  50  and the camera mount  60  as required. The mount arm  20  can alternatively be adapted for mounting directly to the vehicle, behind the number plate, to a bullbar, or other suitable bracket attached to the vehicle. 
     The mount arm  20 , the first pivot arm  30  and the second pivot arm  40  are adapted to be generally stacked or superimposed/adjacent over each other in a folded configuration of the assembly  10  to provide a low profile when folded. 
     With the mount arm  20  mounted to the vehicle, actuation of the first rotator  50   a  pivots the first arm  30 , which moves the second end  34  thereof along an arc away from or towards the vehicle. If the mount arm  20  is mounted to a front of the vehicle, the first arm  30  starts at a 0° home position thereof where the first arm  30  is adjacent and parallel, or superimposed over the mount arm  20 . Pivoting the first arm  30  to a 90° angle relative to the mount arm  20  extends the second end  34  away from the vehicle in the forward direction. Pivoting the first arm  30  to a 180° angle relative to the mount arm  20  in the example extends the second end  34  towards the left side of the vehicle. The first arm can be moved to any desired angle typically between 0° and 180°, and can be returned to its home position. The first arm  30  is longer than the mount arm  20  which provides clearance for the second rotator  50   b.    
     Similarly, actuation of the second rotator  50   b  pivots the second arm  30  relative to the first arm  20 . The second arm  40  starts at a 0° home position thereof where the second arm  40  is adjacent and parallel, or superimposed over the first arm  30 . Pivoting the second arm  40  relative to the first arm  30  moves its second end  44  away from or towards the first arm  30 . The position of the second end  44  relative to the vehicle thus depends on the position of the first arm  30 . The second arm  40  is longer than the first arm  30  which provides clearance for the third rotator  50   c.    
     The third rotator  50   c  is actuatable for varying the orientation between the second pivot arm  50  and the camera mount  60  as required. 
     The rotators  50  in the embodiment are servo motors or stepper motors. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section showing an example pivot point for the assembly of  FIG. 1 . The example shown is the pivot point between the mount arm  20  and the first arm  30 . The first rotator  50   a  is mounted to the mount arm  20  with a splined wheel  52  thereof extending into a cavity  24  of the mount arm  20 . The first end  32  of the first arm  30  is shaped to be pivotably received in the cavity  24 , with the first end  32  having an opening  34  for a pivot boss  80  to be inserted therein which locks the splined wheel  52  to the first arm  30 . Rotation of the splined wheel  52  thus pivots the first pivot arm  30 . 
     In use, the assembly  10  is fastened adjacent to the vehicle number plate and when activated can fold in and out (about 350 mm max in the example) to extend forwardly or rearwardly from the vehicle, outside the lateral perimeter envelope of the vehicle. It is activated when required by a switch or button from inside the vehicle and fully extends and retracts within about 1 second. The camera  70  at the end of the assembly  10  can rotate left to right giving a 180 degree field of view to the driver via a screen monitor located on the dashboard, which is preferably connected wirelessly. 
     Ideally, a respective assembly  10  is mounted to both the front and rear of the vehicle to maximize visibility. Also, the assembly  10  preferably includes control means for the driver to be able to control the distance, position and direction of the camera relative to the vehicle. The maximum and preferred distance and angle settings for the camera and the pivot arms preferably can be adjusted and set. The assembly  10  can further include sensors  75  in the camera and/or the pivot arms to avoid hitting obstacles such as structures or close vehicles. The camera when extended, extends forwardly from the vehicle and/or backwardly therefrom to extend outside the lateral perimeter envelope of the vehicle. The lateral perimeter being the perimeter of the vehicle when viewed form the top. This allows the user to see around obstructions blocking the vehicle, without exposing the vehicle to possible collision. 
     The invention allows the vehicle driver to “see around corners” when visibility is severely restricted to the motor vehicle driver. In one example, the assembly  10  allows the user to view around vehicles parked next to the driver when pulling away from a parking spot, where vehicles are parked side by side parallel to each other such as in a car park. This avoids the problem where the driver has no visibility at all and to exit must edge forth or backwards blindly in the hope that there is no collision with oncoming traffic which they cannot see. This scenario above applies to both ingress and egress maneuvers but especially stressful during egress. 
     Another example is for vehicles turning at an intersection where their view is blocked by a vehicle next to them. The assembly  10  allows the driver to see around the adjacent vehicle and execute a safe turn. The assembly  10  is adapted to move back to the folded configuration thereof automatically once the vehicle starts moving. 
     The assembly can thus contribute to preventing accidents, in shopping centers, car parks, and on roads, allows driver to make decisions with confidence, eliminates human error and taking chances, and potentially significantly reduce insurance premiums to vehicles fitted with the device. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiment shown. 
     The pivot points can be adapted to provide 3 degrees of freedom movement between the arms, for example by having ball and socket joints and suitable actuators therebetween. 
       FIGS. 4 to 6  show an extendable camera assembly  10   b  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The extendable camera assembly  10   b  is similar to the assembly  10  above and comprises a mount arm  20  and a first pivot arm  30 . The second pivot arm  40 , second rotator  50   b  and third rotator  50   c  are omitted in this embodiment. 
     The mount arm  20  comprises a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The mount arm  20  is adapted for mounting directly to the vehicle  100 , via number plate mounting bolts  102 , to extend along a bottom edge portion of the number plate  104 . The mount arm  20  as shown has a flat low profile to the number plate  104  and extends to be substantially co-extensive as the number plate  104 . 
     A first proximal end  32  of the first pivot arm  30  is pivotably connected to the second end  24  of the mount arm  20 , with an actuatable first rotator  50   a  therebetween for varying the angle between the mount arm  20  and the first pivot arm  30  as required. A camera mount  60  for a camera  70  is rotatably mounted to a second distal end  34  of the first pivot arm  30 , with an actuatable rotator  50   d  therebetween for varying the rotation orientation between the first pivot arm  30  and the camera mount  60  as required. 
     Alternatively, the rotator  50   d  can be omitted with the camera mount  60  being fixedly attached to the distal end  34  of the first pivot arm  30 . The camera  70  is preferably a 2-way camera which can view both lateral directions. Alternatively, the camera  70  can be a 360° type camera which can view in all directions. 
     The first pivot arm  30  is substantially of the same length as the mount arm  20  and is parallel to the mount arm  20  in the folded configuration. In the folded configuration, the camera mount  60  is substantially aligned with the first end  22  of the mount arm  20 . This provides the assembly  10   b  with a very low profile when folded, a neat folded appearance, and will not interfere with viewing of the number plate  104 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the mount arm  20  can be in the form of a mounting plate for the number plate  104 , such as being a perimeter plate with a central transparent display panel. 
     With the mount arm  20  mounted to the vehicle, actuation of the first rotator  50   a  pivots the first arm  30 , which moves the second end  34  thereof along an arc  60  away from or towards the vehicle  100 . If the mount arm  20  is mounted to a front of the vehicle, the first arm  30  starts at a 0° home position  30 * thereof where the first arm  30  is adjacent and parallel, or superimposed over the mount arm  20 . Pivoting the first arm  30  to a 90° angle relative to the mount arm  20  extends the second end  34  away from the vehicle in the forward direction to an extended position  30 **. Pivoting the first arm  30  to a 180° angle relative to the mount arm  20  in the example extends the second end  34  towards the left side of the vehicle. The first arm can be moved to any desired angle typically between 0° and 180°, and can be returned to its home position  30 *. The first arm  30  in the embodiment is typically deployed only between the 0° and 90° positions  30 * and  30 ** as shown. 
     The assembly  10   b  when activated can fold in and out within about 1 second. The camera  70  at the end of the assembly  10  can rotate left to right giving a 180 degree field of view to the driver via a monitor located on the dashboard. The camera  70  can also be a 360° camera which will provide an all-around view.