Patent Publication Number: US-2022239817-A1

Title: Vehicular cooling system for forward camera module

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/199,854, filed Jan. 29, 2021, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/199,812, filed Jan. 27, 2021, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/199,748, filed Jan. 22, 2021, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a vehicle vision system for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a vehicle vision system that utilizes a windshield mounted forward viewing camera at a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Use of imaging sensors in vehicle imaging systems is common and known. Examples of such known systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,896,039; 9,871,971; 9,596,387 and/or 9,487,159, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Heat is generated during operation of the cameras, and heat dissipating fins or the like are typically used to dissipate heat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A driver assistance system or vision system or imaging system for a vehicle utilizes a windshield mounted forward viewing camera module having a camera that captures image data representative of images of scenes exterior of the vehicle, and provides a cooling system that is integrated in the camera module to conduct heat from one or more heat generating components of the camera module to the windshield of the vehicle to enhance cooling of the camera module during operation of the camera. The cooling system comprises a thermally conductive tape that extends around a peripheral lip of a mounting portion or surface of the camera module, such as a peripheral lip of a light shield of the camera module, and that interfaces with or engages or adheres to or thermally conductively connects to the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield and that extends to or into the camera module housing to interface with or engage or adhere to or thermally conductively connect to the heat generating component of the camera module. 
     Optionally, the system provides a cooling system that controls a blower of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle to force cooling air over one or more parts of the camera module to enhance cooling of the camera module during operation of the camera. 
     Optionally, the system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) including a housing that encapsulates a circuit board when the circuit board is disposed at an interior surface of the housing. The circuit board includes at least one electronic component. Heat dissipating fins are disposed at least at an outer side of the housing and are in thermal connection with the circuit board within the housing via a thermal interface material disposed at the circuit board. An airflow source provides an airflow which draws air and directs airflow along and between the heat dissipating fins of the outer side of the housing. Optionally, the airflow source comprises a cooling fan assembly attached at the outer side of the housing. In those implementations, the cooling fan includes an electrically powerable motor that, when electrically powered, rotatably drives a plurality of fan blades of the cooling fan assembly to force air along or across the outer side of the housing, such as along and between the heat dissipating fins at the outer side of the housing. 
     These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle with a vision system that incorporates a windshield mounted forward viewing camera module; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the camera module, with a light shield having a thermally conductive tape disposed thereat; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the camera module, showing the thermally conductive tape and a thermally conductive connecting tape that connects to one or more heat generating components within the camera module; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the camera module and light shield having the thermally conductive tape disposed thereat; 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of the camera module and light shield of  FIG. 4 , taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a vehicle, showing airflow directed from an HVAC system of the vehicle directed toward the camera module; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views of the interior cabin of the vehicle, showing the air flow from the vent openings to the windshield-mounted forward viewing camera module; 
         FIG. 8  is a process flow diagram of the cooling system; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an ECU with heat dissipating fins at an outer surface of the housing of the ECU; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the ECU module of  FIG. 9  with exemplary air flow across a surface of the ECU; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the ECU of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the ECU along line A of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A vehicular vision system and/or driver assist system and/or object detection system and/or alert system operates to capture images exterior of the vehicle and may process the captured image data to display images and to detect objects at or near the vehicle and in the predicted path of the vehicle, such as to assist a driver of the vehicle in maneuvering the vehicle in a rearward direction. The vision system includes an image processor or image processing system that is operable to receive image data from one or more cameras and provide an output to a display device for displaying images representative of the captured image data. Optionally, the vision system may provide display, such as a rearview display or a top down or bird&#39;s eye or surround view display or the like. 
     Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a vision system  10  for a vehicle  12  includes at least one exterior viewing imaging sensor or camera or camera module  14 , such as a forward viewing imaging sensor or camera, which may be disposed at and behind the windshield  16  of the vehicle  12  and viewing forward through the windshield  16  so as to capture image data representative of the scene occurring forward of the vehicle ( FIG. 1 ). Optionally, the system  10  may include multiple exterior viewing imaging sensors or cameras, such as a forward viewing camera at the front of the vehicle  12 , and a sideward/rearward viewing camera at respective sides of the vehicle  12 , and a rearward viewing camera at the rear of the vehicle  12 , which capture images exterior of the vehicle  12 . The camera or cameras each include a lens for focusing images at or onto an imaging array or imaging plane or imager of the camera. Optionally, the forward viewing camera  14  may be disposed at the windshield  16  of the vehicle  12  and view through the windshield  16  and forward of the vehicle  12 , such as for a machine vision system (such as for traffic sign recognition, headlamp control, pedestrian detection, collision avoidance, lane marker detection and/or the like). The vision system  10  includes a control or electronic control unit (ECU)  18  that may control a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle, as discussed below. 
     The ECU  18  includes electronic circuitry and associated software, and the electronic circuitry may include an image and/or data processor that is operable to, for example, process image data captured by the camera or cameras and may detect objects or the like and/or provide displayed images at a display device for viewing by the driver of the vehicle  12 . The data transfer or signal communication from the camera  14  to the ECU  18  may comprise any suitable data or communication link, such as a vehicle network bus or the like of the equipped vehicle  12 . The ECU may be disposed at a location remote from the camera module or may be incorporated into the camera module. 
     Heat is generated during operation of the camera  14 , such that, without enhanced cooling, maximum operating temperatures at the camera  14  and/or associated electronics may be exceeded. For instance, the imager semiconductor junction temperature may be required to be below a threshold temperature to ensure necessary image quality. The camera module  14  and/or windshield electronics module in which the camera module is disposed may utilize aspects of the cameras and modules and systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,896,039; 9,871,971; 9,596,387; 9,487,159; 8,256,821; 7,480,149; 6,824,281 and/or 6,690,268, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2021-0368082; US-2021-0306538 and/or US-2020-0039447, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the camera module  14  includes a housing  20  (e.g., a metal or metallic housing) comprising an upper housing portion  20   a  (e.g., a metal or metallic upper housing portion) and the lower housing portion  20   b  (e.g., a metal or metallic lower housing portion), with a camera or imager assembly  22  partially disposed in the housing  20 . The camera  22  comprises an imager circuit board having an imager thereat, and further comprises a lens barrel  24  (accommodating a lens or lens assembly having optic lens elements optically aligned with the imager of the imager circuit board) that protrudes through an aperture of the upper housing portion  20   a  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4A ). The camera module  14  includes a main or principle or primary or processor circuit board  26  disposed in the housing  20 , with the primary circuit board  26  comprising a heat generating component  28 , such as an integrated circuit (IC) or image processor that processes image data captured by the camera. The imager circuit board  40  may be electrically connected to the main circuit board  26  via a flexible connector  42 , such as a flexible ribbon cable or the like, whereby image data captured by the camera is provided to the primary or main circuit board  26  via the flexible connector  42 . 
     Because of the amount of heat typically generated by the circuitry of the circuit boards during operation of the camera module (and particularly the heat generated by the image processor of the primary circuit board  26  during operation of the camera module  14 ), the camera housing  20  may include heat dissipating fins that are present at an outer-side location at the outer side of the upper housing portion  20   a  and may also or otherwise be present at an outer-side location of the lower housing portion  20   b,  such as at a location that coincides with or is juxtaposed with an inner-side location of a thermal element (such as a thermally conductive paste or grease or the like) that thermally conductively connects the image processor with the inner side of the housing portion. Thus, the image processor is in thermally conductive connection with the housing  20 , such as at an inner location of the housing opposite where the heat dissipating fins are located, via the thermal element and a wall thickness (of the lower wall or structure) of the lower housing portion  20   b  at the location where the thermal element is disposed. 
     The camera module  14  may be mounted or attached at a bracket  36  that is adhesively attached at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield  16 , and a cover element  38  (such as for the windshield electronics module) may also be attached at the bracket  36  or attached at a frame or other bracket that is adhesively attached at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield  16 . The cover element  38 , camera module  14  and bracket  36  or brackets comprise a windshield electronics module that houses the camera module  14  and that may also house one or more other electronic accessories (e.g., a rain sensor and/or the like) at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield  16 . Thus, the camera module  14  comprises a forward viewing camera module or front camera module (FCM), such as disposed at the windshield  16 , and optionally at a windshield electronics module (WEM) or the like. The forward viewing camera module may utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,896,039; 9,871,971; 9,596,387; 9,487,159; 8,256,821; 7,480,149; 6,824,281 and/or 6,690,268, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the camera module  14  is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle, such as at the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  or a headliner of the vehicle adjacent or near the upper perimeter edge region of the windshield  16 . Thus, the camera module includes a mounting surface or interface at an interior surface or in-cabin side of the windshield of the vehicle. The mounting surface may comprise, for example, a portion of the housing  20  or a portion of the bracket  36 . The camera module  14  is at least partially mounted at or attached to or interfacing with the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  via thermally conductive adhesive tape  32  disposed at or adhered to the mounting surface and that is in thermal connectivity with the camera module  14  and with the windshield  16 . For example, the camera module  14  includes a light trap or light shield  30  that blocks or redirects or attenuates glare light in front of the lens of the camera  22 . The light trap  30  may be attached to the camera module  14  or attached to the bracket  36  at the windshield  16  or may be adhesively attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield  16 . The light trap  30  includes the thermally conductive adhesive tape  32  disposed about its perimeter at an interface surface that is pressed into engagement with the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  when the camera module  14  is disposed at the in-cabin side of the windshield  16 . The thermally conductive tape  32  may comprise, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape, such as a graphite strip or sheet or graphene material that adheres to the light trap  30  and to the windshield  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A , the thermally conductive tape  32  may be connected directly to the one or more heat generating components  28  of the camera  22  (such as to processors or integrated circuits (ICs) disposed on the printed circuit board of the camera) via a thermally conductive connecting tape or ribbon  34  that is routed from a connecting region of the thermally conductive tape  32  at the light trap  30  to the camera housing  20  and optionally into the camera housing  20  to thermally conductively connect to the heat generating component or components  28  within the camera housing  20 . For example, the connecting tape  34  may thermally conductively connect to the main circuit board  26  and to the imager circuit board  40  of the camera  22 . The connecting tape  34  may connect to an outer surface of the camera housing  20  at a location that corresponds to where a thermally conductive paste or element is disposed at an inner surface of the camera housing  20 , where the thermally conductive paste or element may be in thermally conductive contact with a heat generating component  28  (e.g., an image processor or the like) within the camera housing  20 . Optionally, the connecting tape  34  may pass through the housing wall (such as at an interface where the upper and lower housing portions are mated together) and into the housing cavity for more direct thermally conductive connection to the heat generating component  28 . 
     The thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may thermally conductively connect to multiple heat generating components  28 , such as via connecting or adhering to multiple locations along the outer surface of the camera housing  20  (with each location coinciding with a location of a heat generating component  28  within the camera housing  20 ) or such as adhering along a larger region of the camera housing  20  (that spans or encompasses areas that coincide with separate heat generating components). Optionally, the camera housing end of the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may comprise a sheet that encompasses or covers a larger area of the camera housing  20  (and that may be formed to cover heat dissipating fins of the camera housing) to enhance conduction of heat from the camera housing  20  to the windshield  16 . In other words, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may have a connecting portion at the camera housing  20  or at the heat generating component  28  with a first width dimension, and the connecting tape may have a second width dimension along a portion of the connecting tape  34  routing from the adhesive tape  32  at the light trap  30  to the connecting portion that is less than the first width. Thus, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may cover a greater area of the camera housing  20  at portions of the camera housing corresponding to heat generating components  28 . Optionally, the larger sheet portion of the thermally conductive connecting tape may be disposed at and over the inner surface of the camera module, whereby one or more thermally conductive elements (e.g., thermally conductive paste or grease or tape) may be disposed between and in contact with the sheet portion and the respective heat generating component(s). Optionally, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may be positioned at the windshield electronics module to dissipate heat from the camera  22  and from additional heat generating electronic components at the windshield electronics module, such as printed circuit boards or processors or sensors (e.g., rain or glare light sensors). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  routing from the windshield  16  to the one or more heat generating components  28  comprises a single flat ribbon bent or shaped to discretely contact a plurality of individual heat generating components, each at a position along the flat ribbon. Optionally, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may comprise a plurality of individual ribbons or tapes, each individual ribbon routing from the adhesive tape  32  at the light trap  30  to a corresponding heat generating component  28 . Optionally, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may attach at or near a common or central or universal heat sink of the windshield electronics module dissipating heat from a plurality of heat generating components to draw heat away from the windshield electronics module at a universal or central position. 
     As shown, the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  routes from the heat generating component  28  of the camera module  14  to a thermally conductive adhesive tape  32  surrounding the light trap  30  and at least partially securing the light trap  30  at the windshield  16 . The thermally conductive tapes  32 ,  34  dissipate heat away from the camera module  14 . For example, the camera module may be mounted directly at the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  and the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  may route to thermally conductive adhesive tape  32  affixing the camera module  14  to the windshield (i.e., at a location that is not a light trap). Optionally, the thermally conductive adhesive tape  32  may attach at the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  remote from the camera module  14 , such as along an upper perimeter edge region of the windshield  16  (e.g., at a location corresponding to a tinted or at least partially opaque strip along the upper perimeter edge). 
     Dissipating heat to the windshield  16  of the vehicle via the thermally conductive connecting tape  34  and thermally conductive adhesive tape  32  provides a heat dissipating solution that is enhanced during operation of the vehicle. As the vehicle travels, airflow at the windshield  16  cools the windshield  16  and thus allows for continuous heat dissipation at the windshield  16 . Additionally, heat generated by the camera module and dissipated to the windshield  16  may reduce or eliminate ice, frost, and condensation at the windshield and particularly at the portion of the windshield through which the forward viewing camera  22  views. Thus, heat dissipation at the windshield  16  may reduce or eliminate the need for heating elements at the windshield  16 . Heat dissipated at the camera module may be further routed along the windshield (such as at the perimeter region of the windshield) to provide additional heat dissipation to the camera module  14  and additional frost, ice and condensation reduction at the windshield  16 . 
     Thus, the camera module uses a thermally conductive sheet/tape (e.g., a graphite sheet) that conducts or dissipates heat out from the camera module. The thermally conductive sheet may be directly connected to heat sources, such as processors, chips, ICs or the like, and to the in-cabin side of the windshield, which helps to dissipate heat generated by the heat source instantaneously and continuously rather than relying on fans or HVAC or other means of heat dissipation. The camera module thus conducts heat out of the system via the windshield to the outside ambient environment. During driving conditions additional wind and air flow at the outer side of the windshield will help cool the windshield to conduct heat out of the camera module at a faster rate. During frost conditions, the heat generated by the camera module can be used to help quickly melt ice at the windshield in front of the camera to keep the field of view of the camera clear of any ice/frost, which could otherwise impact camera availability. The camera module may eliminate use of fans to cool the module, and may eliminate use of separate heater elements to heat the windshield during frost conditions, which will eventually help reduce costs. Optionally, the camera module and/or windshield electronics module may also include a cooling fan to further enhance cooling of the camera module during operation. 
     The thermally conductive tape and/or the thermally conductive connecting element may comprise a two-sided adhesive tape comprising thermally conductive material, such as graphite or graphene material. For example, the thermally conductive tape and/or the thermally conductive connecting element may have a high coefficient for thermal conduction (i.e., a material that conducts a greater quantity of heat per unit time through a unit cube of the material when its opposite faces are kept at a temperature difference of one degree), such as, for example, greater than 80 W/m·K, or greater than 100 W/m·K, or greater than 150 W/m·K), and may comprise a combination of fiberglass that fills conductive ceramic powder for higher efficiency and flexibility of thermal conduction, or may comprise a silicone and filler combination that is also compressible to compress and seal between the windshield and the windshield interfacing portion of the camera module. 
     Optionally, the camera module may be mounted at any suitable surface of the vehicle and dissipate heat via the thermally conductive tape to the mounting surface. For example, the camera module may be a rearward viewing camera (such as a rearward viewing CHMSL-mounted camera) mounted at the rear of the vehicle and viewing through the rear window. Thus, the thermally conductive adhesive tape may, with the camera mounted at the rear window, attach at the rear window and, via the thermally conductive connecting tape, dissipate heat from the rear camera to the rear window. Optionally, the camera module may be a driver or occupant monitoring camera mounted at the interior cabin of the vehicle and viewing the interior cabin of the vehicle (such as a head region of the driver of the vehicle), the heat from the camera dissipated to the mounting surface, such as the windshield or headliner of the vehicle. 
     Thus, the system provides a camera module including a housing and a heat generating component, such as an image processor. The camera module mounts at an in-cabin surface of the vehicle, such as at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and may view through the windshield of the vehicle. The camera module may at least partially attach at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle via thermally conductive adhesive tape and the thermally conductive adhesive tape is in thermal connectivity with thermally conductive connecting tape. The thermally conductive connecting tape is in thermal connectivity with the heat generating component of the camera module and dissipates heat from the camera module to the mounting surface via the thermally conductive adhesive tape. Thus, the system may provide improved heat dissipation from the camera module and a defrosting or defogging feature at the mounting surface. 
     Optionally, and as described below, the system may direct airflow towards or over or on to the ECU or camera module or electronics module to cool the ECU or camera module or windshield electronics module. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a system  100  controls a blower motor of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle  12  to force cooling air over one or more parts of the camera module to enhance cooling of the camera module during operation of the camera. The controller  18  controls the HVAC blower motor (and optionally sets the HVAC to a windshield defogging mode) that operates to force air over and around the camera module&#39;s body or housing to enhance cooling of the camera during operation. The system  100  may operate in conjunction with the system  10  described above (such that the system  100  may comprise a portion of the system  10 ) or the system  100  may operate as a standalone driver assistance system or vision system or imaging system for the vehicle  12 . 
     Vision systems features and functions are increasing significantly to provide additional functionality to consumers and also to meet international standards and regulations. More features and function means high processing speed and more power consumption. The higher the power consumption, the higher the heat generation from the system. To help the system work more efficiently, without degrading performance and durability, heat transfer should be well designed to take away heat from the system by conduction, convection and/or radiation. 
     The system  100  utilizes forced air convection (as provided by the HVAC system of the vehicle) to remove heat from the camera module  14 . The camera module  14  (or windshield electronics module) includes a thermal sensor or temperature sensor  44  that senses the temperature at or in the camera module  14 . An output of the temperature sensor  44  is received at the ECU  18 . When the thermal sensor  44  detects a high temperature in the camera  14  (greater than a threshold temperature), the ECU  18 , responsive to the signal or output received at the central ECU  18  from the temperature sensor  44 , communicates a control signal to an HVAC ECU  48  triggering the HVAC ECU  48  to activate a windshield blowing function (optionally including turning on the air conditioning (A/C)  50  of the vehicle  12 ) and to open vent flaps  56  at the dashboard by the windshield to force and direct air upwards along the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  towards the camera module. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a vent opening  56  on the vehicle dashboard or instrument panel may be specifically designed or designated for blowing and directing air towards the camera module  14  (i.e., the vent opening may be separate and distinct from the vents for a windshield defogging function of the HVAC system). The vent flaps may be opened and closed by the system, such as via signal from the ECU  18 , responsive to the camera temperature, and may, when the camera temperature reaches a threshold temperature, be opened to direct air towards the camera  14  and not into the entire cabin. When the camera temperature is within a normal operating temperature range, the vent  56  remains closed, irrespective of the HVAC setting selected by the occupant of the vehicle. The vent openings  56  for the front camera module  14  thus direct air towards the module when the camera module temperature goes beyond its normal operating design limits. 
     Thus, and as shown in  FIG. 8 , the ECU  18  receives inputs from the front camera module thermal sensor  44  and a vehicle ambient temperature sensor  46 . Responsive to these inputs, the ECU  18  generates a control signal to the vehicle&#39;s HVAC control module  48 . When the inputs indicate that the temperature of the camera module  14  is greater than a threshold level, the ECU  18  indicates this to the HVAC control module  48  turns on the vehicle&#39;s A/C  50  and opens the dash vent flaps at the vent  56  (see  52  in  FIG. 8 ) to cool the front camera module (see  54  in  FIG. 8 ). The vent openings are separate from vents that operate to defrost the windshield, and open responsive to the temperature at the camera module and not responsive to a user input. 
     The system  100  thus may open the vent openings  56  and activate the A/C  50  and control the blower temperature to force cold air through the opened vent openings  56  responsive to the temperature of the camera  14  being greater than an upper threshold temperature (such as greater than, for example, 40 degrees C., or greater than 50 degrees C., or greater than 60 degrees C. or thereabouts). Optionally, the system  100  may also open the vent openings  56  and control the blower temperature to force warm air (by controlling the temperature of the air discharged through the vent via adjusting a temperature setting of the HVAC system) through the opened vent openings  56  responsive to the temperature of the camera  14  (when the vehicle is being operated) being less than a lower threshold temperature (such as less than, for example, 10 degrees C., or less than 0 degrees C., or less than −10 degrees C., or less than −20 degrees C. or thereabouts). 
     Optionally, the system  100  may control the HVAC system or control module  48  at least in part responsive to the ambient temperature at the vehicle (such as the ambient temperature within the cabin of the vehicle or exterior of the vehicle). For example, the system  100  may control the HVAC system to provide cooler (air conditioned) air in situations where the camera module temperature sensor  44  does not indicate an operating temperature greater than the upper threshold level, but the exterior ambient temperature sensor  46  indicates that the ambient temperature is high (greater than a threshold temperature, such as greater than, for example, 40 degrees C., or greater than 50 degrees C., or greater than 60 degrees C. or thereabouts), such that the system  100  starts the cooling process before (and in anticipation of) the camera operating temperature approaching, reaching and/or exceeding the upper operating temperature threshold. The system  100  may also or otherwise be operable responsive to a light sensor that senses ambient light at the windshield of the vehicle, so that the system  100  can determine when the lighting conditions are indicative of a sunny day and can start the cooling process before (and in anticipation of) the camera operating temperature approaching, reaching, and/or exceeding the upper operating temperature threshold. 
     Optionally, the system may determine or adjust or vary the upper and/or lower operating temperature thresholds. The system may determine the operating temperature thresholds based on a condition of the camera. For example, certain functions or operations of the camera may be more operationally intensive than other operations and those operations may generate heat at the camera faster than other operations. In response to determining that the function of the camera is rapidly generating heat (or that the camera module or processor is operating in a mode that is known to generate more heat than other operations), the system may lower the upper operating temperature threshold so as to activate the cooling system earlier. Optionally, the system may determine the operating temperature thresholds based on a condition of the vehicle. For example, the system may receive a signal indicating that the vehicle is low on fuel and, responsive to receiving the signal that the vehicle is low on fuel, the system may raise the upper operating temperature threshold so as to activate the cooling system only at higher temperatures to reduce the load on the HVAC system, thus conserving fuel. 
     The vent  56  may comprise a dedicated vent for directing air towards the windshield mounted camera  14 . In other words, the dedicated vent may be separate and distinct from the windshield defogging vent (e.g., at different positions along the dashboard of the vehicle) and the HVAC system may be configured to independently direct air through the separate and discernible vents when providing a windshield defogging function and when directing air at the camera module  14 . The vent may be disposed at any suitable position within the interior portion of the vehicle. For example, the vent may be disposed along the dashboard to direct air along the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  toward the camera module  14 . Optionally, the vent may be disposed at an A-pillar  17  of the vehicle (such as at an upper portion of the A-pillar) and configured to direct air along the in-cabin side of the windshield  16  toward the camera module  14 . Optionally, the vent may be disposed at a headliner of the vehicle and configured to direct air along a portion of the headliner of the vehicle toward the camera module  14 . 
     Optionally, the system  100  may control the HVAC system of the vehicle to direct air toward the camera module  14  through the windshield defogging vent at the dashboard of the vehicle. For example, responsive to determining that the temperature at the camera module  14  is outside the operating temperature range (i.e., below the lower operating temperature threshold or above the upper operating temperature threshold), the system may direct air through the windshield defogging vent with the windshield defogging vent directing air along the in-cabin side of the windshield  16 . Optionally, the windshield defogging vent may be configured to direct air at the windshield at a first angle (such as at the base of the windshield) when providing the windshield defogging feature and at a second angle (such as towards an upper region of the windshield) when directing air towards the camera module  14 . Thus, the system may adjust the windshield defogging vent to direct air towards the windshield mounted camera module  14 . 
     Optionally, the vent  56  directing air towards the camera module  14  may comprise only a portion of the windshield defogging vent. For example, the camera module  14  may be disposed at a central region of the windshield  16 , the windshield defogging vents may be disposed along the dashboard across at least a portion of the width of the windshield and the vent  56  may comprise a portion of the windshield defogging vents corresponding to the central position of the camera module  14  at the windshield  16 . Thus, the system  100  may direct air from the windshield defogging vents across the width of the windshield  16  when defogging the windshield  16  and the system may only direct air from the portion of the windshield defogging vents corresponding to the position of the camera module  14  when providing a temperature control function of the camera module  14 . For example, the windshield defogging vents may have flaps or other closures at positions across the width of the windshield that are separately openable and closeable for controlling the direction of air out of the vents. Optionally, when providing a windshield defogging feature, the HVAC system may reduce or redirect the hot air directed at the windshield at the position corresponding to the camera module  14  to prevent overheating of the camera module during the windshield defogging. 
     Because of the amount of heat typically generated by the circuitry of the camera&#39;s circuit boards during operation of the camera  14  (and particularly the heat generated by the image processor of the primary circuit board during operation of the camera), when the electrically powered motor of the cooling system is electrically powered, the fan or blower and vent  56  direct airflow onto and along the windshield  16  and toward and to and over heat dissipating fins of the camera housing, such as at an exterior side of the lower housing portion. The heat dissipating fins of the camera  14  are at least in part present at an outer-side location at the outer side of the lower housing portion of the camera  14  that coincides with or is juxtaposed with the inner-side location of a thermal element (such as a thermally conductive paste or grease or the like) that thermally conductively connects the image processor with the inner side of the lower housing portion. Thus, the image processor is in thermally conductive connection with the heat dissipating fins via the thermal element and a wall thickness (of the lower wall or structure) of the lower housing portion at the location where the thermal element is disposed. 
     The camera module  14  is disposed at and behind the windshield  16  of a vehicle  12  so as to view through the windshield  16  and forward of the vehicle  12 . The camera module  14  may be disposed in a housing or windshield electronics module having a cover element or beauty cover that houses the camera module (and optionally other accessories) and conceals the camera module from view by a person within the vehicle. The cover of the windshield electronics module has an interior cavity (in which the camera module is disposed), where the air may be heated during operation of the camera and/or due to higher environment temperatures. The module comprises an air entry duct that at a lower end to receive forced air from the blower fan and vent  56  at the dashboard and an exit air duct (such as at an upper end) to allow for venting of the air and to enhance air flow through the module to enhance cooling of the camera module. 
     Optionally, the lower housing portion or cover may be constructed with diverting fins or structure that diverts a desired amount or portion of the output air flow into and along and between the respective heat dissipating fins. For example, the diverting construction may be centrally located at a housing or cover of the windshield electronics module (that may house or cover the forward camera module  14 ) to divert parts of the output air flow to different sets of heat dissipating fins at the camera housing, or the diverting construction may be more towards some of the heat dissipating fins so as to divert more of the output air flow into and along, for example, lower heat dissipating fins, so as to provide enhanced cooling of heat generated by the imager processor during operation of the camera module. The housing or cover may include vent openings to optimize airflow from the HVAC blower or fan as well as to support natural convection around the camera module. 
     The camera module  14  may be mounted or attached at a bracket that is adhesively attached at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield  16 , and the cover element may also be attached at the bracket or attached at a frame or other bracket that is adhesively attached at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield  16 . The cover element, camera module  14  and bracket or brackets comprise a windshield electronics module that houses the camera module and that may also house one or more other electronic accessories (e.g., a rain sensor and/or the like) at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield  16 . 
     The fan or blower motor may comprise a variable speed fan motor that is controlled, e.g., by the control or controller or electronic control unit (ECU) or processor or the like, with a PWM line. The controller includes control circuitry and associated software. The PWM duty cycle may be software (SW) controlled, based on one or more inputs, such as, for example, an input based on an output of a vehicle ambient temperature sensor (that provides a temperature at or near or indicative of the temperature at the camera module), an input based on an output of a vehicle ambient light sensor (to detect sunload and thus to provide an output that is indicative of temperature at the windshield and camera module), and an input based on an output of one or more internal temperature sensors at more critical components. 
     Optionally, other cooling elements or devices may also or otherwise be implemented to cool the camera module  14  during operation. For example, a Peltier element may be disposed at some components to increase thermal dissipation. Optionally, the camera module  14  may include integrated liquid cooling to enhance heat dissipation away from the camera module  14 . Optionally, a channel or duct may guide and direct airflow from the separate cooling fan assembly to the camera module. 
     Optionally, the ECU of the system  10  and/or of the system  100  may comprise one or more heat dissipating features for reducing the temperature during operation at the ECU. For example, and as discussed below, the ECU may include a housing having heat dissipating fins disposed at the outer surface of the housing and in thermally conductive connectivity with heat generating electrical components housed within the housing of the ECU. Airflow across and between the heat dissipating fins may enhance heat dissipation. 
     Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) or vision systems include a significantly increasing number of features and functions to both provide additional functionality to consumers and also to meet governmental standards and regulations. Additionally, a trend has been observed in the automotive industry to provide a common or singular or central ECU to process data from various sensors in the vehicle (e.g. exterior viewing camera modules, radar sensors, driver/cabin monitoring cameras, surround view system cameras, cameras for camera monitoring systems (CMS), etc.) to provide the additional functionality. An increased number of features and functions results in a higher demand for processing speed and increased power consumption by ECUs and ADAS modules. 
     Generally, an ECU with increased processing and higher power consumption will result in higher heat generation. For example, heat is generated during operation of an ECU (e.g., an ECU for an ADAS system), such that, without enhanced cooling, maximum operating temperatures at the ECU and/or associated electronics may be exceeded because, for instance, the imager semiconductor junction temperature has to be below a threshold temperature to ensure necessary processing capabilities. The system includes an ECU module for improved, quicker, and more efficient heat dissipation to account for the greater heat generation resulting from the increased processing and power consumption of ADAS systems and the like. The ECU may be formed primarily from cost-efficient and light-weight materials such as electrically conductive or thermally conductive plastic or other composite materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an ECU housing  118  is depicted with a cooling fan assembly  120  and heat dissipating fins  122  disposed at and/or in and/or on an outer surface  118   a  of the housing  118 . As will be discussed further below, a circuit board  124  and thermal interface material  126  (such as a thermally conductive paste or grease or pad or the like) are disposed within an interior of the housing  118  and heat is generated within the interior of the housing  118  during operation of the ECU. The heat dissipating fins  122  are disposed in or extend through the material of the housing  118  so that a first portion or end of the fins  122  pass through the housing  118  and contact the thermal interface material  126  and a second portion or end of the fins  122  opposite the first end extend away from the outer surface  118   a  of the housing  118 . The cooling fan  120  is disposed at the outer surface  118   a  of the housing  118  and configured to, when electrically operated, to create an airflow ( FIG. 10 ) across or along the outer surface  118   a  of the housing  118  and between the heat dissipating fins  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  118  has both a top element or portion  118   b  and a bottom element or portion  118   c  that may be seam welded together along an outer circumference or edge of the housing  118  such as to provide a waterproof or water resistant construction that is impervious to water intrusion into the housing  118 . The housing  118  may comprise any suitable size and/or shape for the electronics contained inside and/or application or placement with its intended system. The housing  118  may comprise electrically conductive plastic or thermally conductive plastic or any other suitable material or composite material. 
     When the ECU is electrically operated, such as to process image data captured by a camera of the vision system or driving assistance system, the electric circuitry within the interior of the housing  118  generates heat. Heat generated at the interior of the housing  118  may be dissipated exterior the housing  118  via the heat dissipating fins  122 . Airflow across the heat dissipating fins  122  helps rapidly cool and further remove heat from the circuit board  124  housed within the ECU housing  118 . The airflow may be generated by any suitable external air source such as the cooling fan  120  or from a cooling fan assembly attached at the outer side of the housing. Although the illustrated embodiment includes an ECU with the cooling fan assembly  120  disposed at the outer surface  118   a  of the housing  118  for forced heat convection away from the ECU, it should be understood that a fan or airflow source may be disposed remote from the housing. For example, multiple ECU modules may share a universal cooling fan or airflow source to reduce the power consumption needed to cool multiple ECUs. Conversely, multiple cooling fans may be disposed at or near or on a single ECU housing to provide increased airflow and increased cooling power. Optionally, the active airflow may be generated by an external airflow source remote from the camera module  14  and directed toward the camera module  14  and ECU housing  118 , such as the HVAC system of the vehicle, as discussed above. 
     The airflow source may be operated continuously during operation of the ECU. Optionally, the airflow source may be operated based on a condition. For example, a temperature sensor may be disposed at or near the ECU to determine a temperature of the ECU and the airflow source may be operated when the temperature at the ECU is above a threshold temperature. Optionally, a temperature sensor may be disposed at a location of the vehicle remote from the ECU, such as an ambient temperature sensor configured to sense an ambient temperature exterior or interior the vehicle, and the airflow source may be operated when the ambient temperature is above a threshold ambient temperature. The airflow source may be operated responsive to determinations of other conditions, such as responsive to an indication from an ambient light sensor or responsive to the ECU performing a given function that requires higher than normal processing power of the ECU. Optionally, the airflow source may vary the airflow provided to the ECU (i.e., provide stronger or weaker airflow) based on the condition, such as increasing the airflow when the temperature at the ECU is greater and reducing or ceasing airflow when the temperature at the ECU is lower. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling fan assembly  120  includes an air intake opening  120   a  through which air is drawn when the motor of the cooling fan assembly  120  is electrically powered, and directs airflow through an air discharge or outlet opening  120   b  and between and along heat dissipating fins  122  at the housing  118  that are at or near or thermally conductively connected to the circuit board  124 . The cooling fan assembly  120  may comprise a low profile cooling fan assembly that does not protrude beyond the height of the heat dissipating fins  122  at the outer side  118   a  of the housing. The cooling fan assembly  120  may comprise a self-contained unit or module that includes the motor, fan blades and housing and exit openings, whereby the cooling fan assembly  120  is mounted at the housing  118  as a unit. The size and shape of the cooling fan assembly  120  may be selected based at least in part on the size and shape of the ECU housing  118  and the location and configuration of the heat dissipating fins  122 . 
     The cooling fan assembly  120  may utilize aspects of the fan assemblies described in International Publication No. WO 2020/159914 and/or in U.S. Publication No. US-2021-0306538, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, the fan assembly  120  may comprise a low profile fan assembly having a thickness that may be less than 12 mm, or may be less than 7.5 mm, or may be less than 5 mm. The air flow generated or output by the fan assembly  120  may be at a flow rate of at least 0.7 cubic feet per minute (CFM). The cooling fan assembly  120  may comprise a DC brushless motor with a 5V operating voltage, and may be pulse-width modulation (PWM) controlled. The cooling fan assembly  120  may have a starting voltage of around 4 VDC and may have an operating current of 183 mA and a rated power consumption of 0.92 Watts. The cooling fan assembly  120 , when the motor is electrically powered, may generate up to around 1.18 CFM airflow (or more) when operating in the range of around 6,300 RPM to around 11,700 RPM (9000 RPM+/−30 percent). The operating temperature range may be around 0 degrees C. to around 85 degrees C., with a storage temperature range of around −40 degrees C. to around 90 degrees C. In a situation where the fan is locked by an external force while being electrically powered, an increase in coil temperature of the motor is prevented by temporarily turning off the electrical power to the fan motor. The fan may automatically restart when the locked rotor condition is released. 
     The cooling fan motor may comprise a variable speed fan motor that is controlled, e.g., by the control or controller or electronic control unit (ECU) or processor or the like, with a PWM line. The controller includes control circuitry and associated software. The PWM duty cycle may be software (SW) controlled, based on one or more inputs, such as, for example, an input based on an output of a vehicle ambient temperature sensor (that provides a temperature at or near or indicative of the temperature at the ECU), an input based on an output of a vehicle ambient light sensor (to detect sunload and thus to provide an output that is indicative of temperature at the windshield and ECU), and an input based on an output of one or more internal temperature sensors at more critical components. The fan may operate only with the necessary load and speed, in order to improve lifetime requirements based on targeted device under test (DUT) thermal mission profile. Thus, the design and configuration of the cooling fan assembly  120  can be adapted to provide desired flow rates at and along and between the respective heat dissipating fins  122 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the opening of the cooling fan assembly  120  provides the airflow an entrance to the heat dissipating fins  122 , such that the air that is radially exiting the fan at the outlet opening  120   b  flows into and along and between the heat dissipating fins  122 , which may comprise an suitable configuration. For example, the heat dissipating fins may comprise a first grouping of heat dissipating fins  122   a  in an arrangement at a first region of the housing  118  (such as adjacent the outlet opening  120   b ), and a second grouping of heat dissipating fins  122   b  in an arrangement at a second region of the housing  118  (such as distanced from the outlet opening  120   b ). In the illustrated embodiment, the first grouping of heat dissipating fins  122   a  are generally the same length, parallel to one another (as shown in  FIG. 11 ), and terminate a distance away from a second grouping of heat dissipating fins  122   b  which are individually longer than the fins of the first grouping, angled relative to one another and the first grouping, and are arranged in an arc relative to the first grouping. The first grouping of fins  122   a  are also closer together than the second grouping of fins  122   b.  However, the fins may be different lengths, shapes, and orientations depending on the needs of the given system. 
     The cooling fan assembly  120  directs air through the outlet opening  120   b  in a direction generally parallel to the first grouping of heat dissipating fins  122   a,  such that the air moves along channels between adjacent fins to enhance cooling of the fins and thus of the ECU. The air moves along the channels between the first grouping of heat dissipating fins  122   a  toward and through and among the second grouping of fins  122   b.  Thus, the cooling fan  120  provides enhanced cooling of the heat dissipating fins  122  of the ECU module to enhance the dissipation of heat generated by the electrical components of the circuit board  124  during operation of the system  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the printed circuit board  124  (PCB) is disposed at an interior surface of the housing  118  and includes at least one electronic component  124   a,  such as a plurality of electronic components  124   a.  The circuit board  124  includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side and separated by a thickness of the circuit board. The electronic components  124   a  are disposed on the first side of the circuit board  124  facing the heat dissipating fins  122 . The electronic components  124   a  may include processors (configured to process image or sensor data), integrated circuits (ICs), resistors, or other electronic components or circuitry that generate heat when the ECU is operated. For example, the circuit board may comprise an image processor that processes image data captured by a camera of an ADAS. 
     When the one or more electronic components  124   a  generate heat at the interior of the housing  118 , the heat is dissipated exterior the housing  118  via the heat dissipating fins  122 . The electronic components  124   a  are in thermally conductive connection with the heat dissipating fins  122 , such as via direct engagement of the components  124   a  to the fins  122 , via engagement of the components  124   a  at the surface of the housing  118 , or via the thermal interface material  126  disposed between the components  124   a  and the fins  122 . Optionally, the circuit board  124  may comprise electronic components on the first side of the circuit board facing the upper portion  118   b  of the housing and electronic components on the second side of the circuit board facing the lower portion  118   c  of the housing with heat dissipating fins disposed at the upper portion  118   b  and the lower portion  118   c  of the housing for dissipating heat exterior the ECU housing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the thermal interface material  126  thermally connects the electronic components  124   a  with the heat dissipating fins  122  disposed at the outer surface of the housing. The thermal interface material  126  may comprise a thermal paste, thermal pad, thermal grease, or any other suitable thermally conductive material. As the electronic components give off heat during operation, the heat travels (via thermal conduction) through the thermal interface material  126  to the heat dissipating fins  122 . The thermal interface material  126  may be positioned or targeted or concentrated at and/or around components  124   a  of the circuit board that generate heat so as to further facilitate and improve heat dissipation. Thus, the thermal element  126  or paste or grease may interface or thermally conductively connect the circuit board  124  (and/or an electrical components  124   a  at the circuit board) with the inner or upper surface of the housing  118  and thus with the heat dissipating fins  122   a,    122   b  at the exterior or outer surface  118   a  of the housing to enhance heat transfer from the ECU. Furthermore, the thermal element may comprise a plurality of thermal elements  126  thermally conductively connecting components  124   a  to the fins  122   a,    122   b  to enhance cooling of the separate components  124   a  at the circuit board  124 . 
     Thus, the circuit board  124  is in thermally conductive connection with the heat dissipating fins  122  via the thermal interface material  126  and/or a wall thickness of the housing  118  at the location where the thermal material  126  is disposed (if the heat dissipating fin is not in direct contact with the thermal interface material at that location). Thus, heat may be released by the electronic components  124   a  and expelled more quickly and easily via a surface spaced away from the circuit board  124 , thereby reducing the heat at the circuit board  124 . 
     The heat dissipating fins  122  may be overmolded with and pass through the wall of the housing  118  so that a base or first end or portion of the fins is disposed in or under the housing  118  and a second end or portion extends above or away from the outer surface  118   a  of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the fins substantially resemble a T-shape where the header of the T-shape lies within or under or is overmolded by the housing material and the leg of the T-shape extends away from the housing so as to be exposed for heat dissipation via airflow. The material of the fins  122  may be selected to be highly thermally conductive, while the material of the housing  118  may be selected for its strength and sealing capabilities, so that the construction of the fins  122  extending through the housing wall provides enhanced heat dissipation while not compromising the strength and durability of the housing  118 . 
     The fins are in thermally conductive contact with the circuit board  124  contained within the housing  118 . For example, the fins may be in direct contact with the thermal interface material  126  disposed at the circuit board  124 . For optimum heat dissipation, the location of the fins may align with locations of the electronic components  124   a  at the circuit board  124  and especially at locations corresponding to electronic components  124   a  that generate the most heat. For example, the location of the heat dissipating fins  122  may align with locations of several processors or ICs disposed at the circuit board such that the heat dissipating fins are located and in contact with the thermal interface material at the processors or ICs generating heat. Optionally, the layout of electronic components  124   a  at the circuit board  124  may be configured to match a pattern of the heat dissipating fins  122 , or otherwise be configured and spaced apart to maximize heat dissipation from the housing  118 . 
     Thus, the ECU, in conjunction with a vehicle vision system or ADAS at a vehicle, may perform a variety of functions, include various processors, ICs, and other electronic components, and may communicate with various optional systems of the vehicle. The ECU comprises the housing, the circuit board disposed within the housing, heat dissipating fins disposed at least at an outer surface of the housing and in thermal conductive connection with the circuit board. The thermal conductive material is in connection with both the circuit board and the heat dissipating fins. The airflow source provides airflow in the direction of the heat dissipating fins to aid in the dissipation of heat away from the ECU. Thus, the ECU comprises enhanced cooling abilities. 
     The ECU may receive image data captured by a plurality of cameras of the vehicle, such as by a plurality of surround view system (SVS) cameras and a plurality of camera monitoring system (CMS) cameras and optionally one or more driver monitoring system (DMS) cameras. The ECU may comprise a central or single ECU that processes image data captured by the cameras for a plurality of driving assist functions and may provide display of different video images to a video display screen in the vehicle (such as at an interior rearview mirror assembly or at a central console or the like) for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The system may utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,442,360 and/or 10,046,706, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2021-0245662; US-2021-0162926; US-2021-0155167 and/or US-2019-0118717, and/or International PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/US22/70062, filed Jan. 6, 2022 (Attorney Docket DON09 FP4371W0), which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     The camera or sensor may comprise any suitable camera or sensor. Optionally, the camera may comprise a “smart camera” that includes the imaging sensor array and associated circuitry and image processing circuitry and electrical connectors and the like as part of a camera module, such as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in International Publication Nos. WO 2013/081984 and/or WO 2013/081985, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     The system includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera or cameras, such as for detecting objects or other vehicles or pedestrians or the like in the field of view of one or more of the cameras. For example, the image processor may comprise an image processing chip selected from the EYEQ family of image processing chips available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel, and may include object detection software (such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,855,755; 7,720,580 and/or 7,038,577, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), and may analyze image data to detect vehicles and/or other objects. Responsive to such image processing, and when an object or other vehicle is detected, the system may generate an alert to the driver of the vehicle and/or may generate an overlay at the displayed image to highlight or enhance display of the detected object or vehicle, in order to enhance the driver&#39;s awareness of the detected object or vehicle or hazardous condition during a driving maneuver of the equipped vehicle. 
     The vehicle may include any type of sensor or sensors, such as imaging sensors or radar sensors or lidar sensors or ultrasonic sensors or the like. The imaging sensor or camera may capture image data for image processing and may comprise any suitable camera or sensing device, such as, for example, a two dimensional array of a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in at least 640 columns and 480 rows (at least a 640×480 imaging array, such as a megapixel imaging array or the like), with a respective lens focusing images onto respective portions of the array. The photosensor array may comprise a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in a photosensor array having rows and columns. Preferably, the imaging array has at least 300,000 photosensor elements or pixels, more preferably at least 500,000 photosensor elements or pixels and more preferably at least 1 million photosensor elements or pixels. The imaging array may capture color image data, such as via spectral filtering at the array, such as via an RGB (red, green and blue) filter or via a red/red complement filter or such as via an RCC (red, clear, clear) filter or the like. The logic and control circuit of the imaging sensor may function in any known manner, and the image processing and algorithmic processing may comprise any suitable means for processing the images and/or image data. 
     For example, the vision system and/or processing and/or camera and/or circuitry may utilize aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,233,641; 9,146,898; 9,174,574; 9,090,234; 9,077,098; 8,818,042; 8,886,401; 9,077,962; 9,068,390; 9,140,789; 9,092,986; 9,205,776; 8,917,169; 8,694,224; 7,005,974; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978; 7,859,565; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 6,636,258; 7,145,519; 7,161,616; 7,230,640; 7,248,283; 7,295,229; 7,301,466; 7,592,928; 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2014-0340510; US-2014-0313339; US-2014-0347486; US-2014-0320658; US-2014-0336876; US-2014-0307095; US-2014-0327774; US-2014-0327772; US-2014-0320636; US-2014-0293057; US-2014-0309884; US-2014-0226012; US-2014-0293042; US-2014-0218535; US-2014-0218535; US-2014-0247354; US-2014-0247355; US-2014-0247352; US-2014-0232869; US-2014-0211009; US-2014-0160276; US-2014-0168437; US-2014-0168415; US-2014-0160291; US-2014-0152825; US-2014-0139676; US-2014-0138140; US-2014-0104426; US-2014-0098229; US-2014-0085472; US-2014-0067206; US-2014-0049646; US-2014-0052340; US-2014-0025240; US-2014-0028852; US-2014-005907; US-2013-0314503; US-2013-0298866; US-2013-0222593; US-2013-0300869; US-2013-0278769; US-2013-0258077; US-2013-0258077; US-2013-0242099; US-2013-0215271; US-2013-0141578 and/or US-2013-0002873, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Optionally, the camera may comprise a forward viewing camera, such as disposed at a windshield electronics module (WEM) or the like. The forward viewing camera may utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,896,039; 9,871,971; 9,596,387; 9,487,159; 8,256,821; 7,480,149; 6,824,281 and/or 6,690,268, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2015-0327398; US-2015-0015713; US-2014-0160284; US-2014-0226012 and/or US-2009-0295181, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     The ECU and/or camera module and circuit chip or board and imaging sensor may be implemented and operated in connection with various vehicular vision-based systems, and/or may be operable utilizing the principles of such other vehicular systems, such as a vehicle headlamp control system, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,796,094; 6,097,023; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 7,004,606; 7,339,149 and/or 7,526,103, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a rain sensor, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,320,176 and/or 7,480,149, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a vehicle vision system, such as a forward, sideward or rearward directed vehicle vision system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978 and/or 7,859,565, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a trailer hitching aid or tow check system, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a reverse or sideward imaging system, such as for a lane change assistance system or lane departure warning system or for a blind spot or object detection system, such as imaging or detection systems of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a video device for internal cabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 6,690,268; 7,370,983; 7,937,667 and/or 9,800,983, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, a traffic sign recognition system, a system for determining a distance to a leading or trailing vehicle or object, such as a system utilizing the principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,397 and/or 7,123,168, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, and/or the like. 
     The system may utilize sensors, such as radar or lidar sensors or the like, to detect presence of and/or range to other vehicles and objects at the intersection. The sensing system may utilize aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,753,121; 9,689,967; 9,599,702; 9,575,160; 9,146,898; 9,036,026; 8,027,029; 8,013,780; 7,053,357; 7,408,627; 7,405,812; 7,379,163; 7,379,100; 7,375,803; 7,352,454; 7,340,077; 7,321,111; 7,310,431; 7,283,213; 7,212,663; 7,203,356; 7,176,438; 7,157,685; 6,919,549; 6,906,793; 6,876,775; 6,710,770; 6,690,354; 6,678,039; 6,674,895 and/or 6,587,186, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2019 -0339382; US-2018-0231635; US-2018-0045812; US-2018-0015875; US-2017-0356994; US-2017-0315231; US-2017-0276788; US-2017-0254873; US-2017-0222311 and/or US-2010-0245066, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The radar sensors of the sensing system each comprise a plurality of transmitters that transmit radio signals via a plurality of antennas, a plurality of receivers that receive radio signals via the plurality of antennas, with the received radio signals being transmitted radio signals that are reflected from an object present in the field of sensing of the respective radar sensor. 
     Optionally, the vision system may include a display for displaying images captured by one or more of the imaging sensors for viewing by the driver of the vehicle while the driver is normally operating the vehicle. Optionally, for example, the vision system may include a video display device, such as by utilizing aspects of the video display systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240; 6,329,925; 7,855,755; 7,626,749; 7,581,859; 7,446,650; 7,338,177; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 5,668,663; 5,724,187; 6,690,268; 7,370,983; 7,329,013; 7,308,341; 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 7,004,593; 4,546,551; 5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,708,410; 5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,501; 6,222,460; 6,513,252 and/or 6,642,851, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2014-0022390; US-2012-0162427; US-2006-0050018 and/or US-2006-0061008, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Optionally, the vision system (utilizing the forward viewing camera and a rearward viewing camera and other cameras disposed at the vehicle with exterior fields of view) may be part of or may provide a display of a top-down view or bird&#39;s-eye view system of the vehicle or a surround view at the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,071,687; 9,900,522; 9,834,153; 9,762,880; 9,596,387; 9,264,672; 9,126,525 and/or 9,041,806, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2015-0022664, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.