Patent Abstract:
An apparatus structured for installation in a component of a vehicle is provided. The component is rotatable to any of a plurality of angular orientations relative to a remainder of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensing element and mounting means structured for coupling to the component so as to move with the component. The mounting means is also structured for operative coupling to the sensing element so as to enable free rotation of the sensing element with respect to the mounting means. Retention means is provided and is structured for coupling to the component. The retention means is operable to prevent rotation of the sensing element with respect to the mounting means.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to orientation control and stabilization of vehicle sensors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many modern vehicles employ cameras or other sensors to help detect the presence of objects around the vehicle that are normally difficult for the driver to see. Perhaps the most common example of this is the backup camera that is found in many vehicles to help a driver see the area around the rear bumper to avoid backing the vehicle into an object or a person. Such a camera is particularly useful in large vehicles such as trucks or sport utility vehicles, in which the height of the vehicle from the ground as well as the presence of a tail gate or a swingable door makes it particularly difficult to see behind the vehicle due to the size and geometry of the vehicle. However, when mounted on a tailgate or swingable door, the field of view of the camera or sensor shifts from encompassing the area behind the vehicle as intended, to the ground or road proximate the rear of the vehicle. In this orientation, the sensor provides little if any coverage of the intended area behind the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the embodiments described herein, an apparatus structured for installation in a component of a vehicle is provided. The component is rotatable to any of a plurality of angular orientations relative to a remainder of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensing element and mounting means structured for coupling to the component so as to move with the component. The mounting means is also structured for operative coupling to the sensing element so as to enable free rotation of the sensing element with respect to the mounting means. Retention means is provided and is structured for coupling to the component. The retention means is operable to prevent rotation of the sensing element with respect to the mounting means. 
     In another aspect of the embodiments of the described herein, a vehicle is provided including a door rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to a remainder of the vehicle. A sensing element is rotatably coupled to the door so as to rotate freely with respect to the door, and so as to maintain a predetermined orientation with respect to the vehicle when the door is in the first orientation and when the door is in the second orientation. A retention mechanism is also coupled to the door. The retention mechanism is operable to prevent rotation of the sensing element with respect to the door when the door is in the first orientation and when the door is in the second orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a portion of a vehicle incorporating an-apparatus including a sensing element in accordance with one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic cross sectional view of a component including an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment described herein, where the component is in a first angular orientation. 
         FIG. 2B  is the schematic cross sectional view of  FIG. 2A  showing the component is in a second angular orientation different from the first orientation. 
         FIG. 2C  is the schematic cross sectional view of  FIG. 2B  showing the component is in a third angular orientation different from the first and second orientations. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic cross sectional view of a component including an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment described herein, where the component is in a first angular orientation. 
         FIG. 3B  is the schematic cross sectional view of  FIG. 3A  showing the component is in a second angular orientation different from the first orientation. 
         FIG. 3C  is the schematic cross sectional view of  FIG. 3B  showing the component is in a third angular orientation different from the first and second orientations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure relates to a sensor mounting capable of self-adjusting its angular orientation with respect to a swingable door or tailgate of a vehicle so that the sensor continues to face in a desired direction, regardless of the angular orientation of the door on which it is mounted. In one example, the mounting enables a rear-facing sensing element (or sensor) mounted on a vehicle tailgate to rotate freely as the tailgate is rotated between closed (up) and open (down) configurations. This ensures that a sensing face of the sensor will face toward a rear or the vehicle regardless of the angular orientation of the tailgate. In addition, the apparatus includes one or more electromagnets mounted in the tailgate and configured for maintaining and stabilizing the sensor in a rear-facing orientation both when the tailgate is closed and when the tailgate is open. This prevents vibration or jostling of the freely-rotating sensor during driving. 
       FIG. 1  shows a rear portion of a vehicle  10  incorporating a gravity-oriented sensing element in accordance with an embodiment described herein. The vehicle  10  includes a number of components including a component  12 , which is most commonly envisioned as a swingable or rotatable rear door, tail gate, or lift gate, although it should not be limited thereto. In embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , vehicle  10  is in the form of a pickup truck and component  12  is in the form of a tailgate providing access to a bed  14  of the pickup truck  100 . Tailgate  12  is rotatably attached to the body or frame of the vehicle  10  so as to be movable between multiple component angular orientations relative to the body or frame. For example, the tailgate may be movable between an up, closed orientation (shown in  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A ) in which the tail gate is latched to the body of the vehicle  10  to close the bed of the vehicle  10  and a down, open orientation (shown in  FIGS. 2C and 3C ) in which the tail gate has been unlatched and dropped approximately 90 degrees to provide better access to the truck bed for loading and unloading. 
     In a rearward-facing surface  12   a  of the tailgate, a cavity  12   b  is formed which houses a handle assembly  16  that can be actuated in order to unlatch the tailgate  12  when it is opened, in a manner known in the art. A sensing element  20  is also mounted inside the cavity  12   b  where a user&#39;s hand would enter to grasp and lift the handle assembly  16 . In some embodiments, the sensing element  20  is a camera unit, such as a backup camera configured to face the rear of the vehicle. However, the sensing element  16  might also be another type of sensor. For example, the sensing element may be a sensor selected from the group consisting of infrared sensors, lasers, Doppler sensors, radar, radio frequency sensors, microwave sensors, and optical sensors. Moreover, it is contemplated that there may be more than one sensing element or types of sensing element mounted in a given freely rotatable housing as described herein, and that these sensing elements may be used together to form a composite image. For example, the sensing elements might include a camera and infrared sensor and the combined data may be used to form a composite image for the driver providing both visual and heat map data. As another example multiple sensing elements may be implemented at different positions to perform functions such as, for example, calculating the distance to an object. 
     Sensing element  20  is rotatably coupled to the component  12  in a manner such that the angular or rotational orientation of the sensing element  20  with respect to the remainder of the vehicle remains the same responsive to rotation of the component  12 . In a particular embodiment, sensing element  16  is coupled to the tailgate  12  by a hinge mechanism structured to permit the sensing element to swing or rotate freely about the hinge mechanism responsive to rotation of the tailgate  12  during opening. Sensing element  20  may also be suitably weighted or otherwise structured so that its weight distribution causes a sensing face  20   f  of the sensing element to remain in a rear-facing orientation during rotation of the tailgate  12  from an “up” or closed configuration to a “down” or open configuration. A sensing face  20   f  of the sensing element  20  is a face or side of the sensing element through which the sensing function is performed (for example, in a camera, a face or side of the sensing element containing the camera lens). For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the sensing element is structured so that its center of gravity is as low as possible (for example, by making a lowermost portion  20   a  of the sensing element  20  heavier than other portions of the sensing element), so that the weight distribution of the element causes the element lowermost portion  20   a  to always rotate downward due to gravity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the sensing face  20   f  may be spaced apart a distance D from a plane P defined by a rear-most edge or portion of the cavity  12   b . This recesses the sensing face  20   f  within the cavity  12   b , to aid in protecting the sensing element from damage. In one embodiment, the sensing element mounting mechanism is in the form of a shaft or pin  22  extending through the sensing element and also between a pair of opposed ears  30 ,  32  projecting from a side  12   c  of the cavity  12   b . However, the mechanism may also have other, alternative forms. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  show the orientation of the sensing element  20  in various configurations of the tailgate  12  as it is lowered or rotated in direction “A”, from the closed configuration ( FIG. 2A ) to an intermediate configuration ( FIG. 2B ), then to the open configuration ( FIG. 2C ). As the tailgate  12  is rotated downward in direction “A”, the sensing element  20  correspondingly rotates in direction “B” ( FIG. 2B ) opposite direction “A”. Thus, throughout rotation of the tailgate  12  and when the tailgate has been completely opened as shown in  FIG. 2C , the sensing face  20   f  of sensing element  20  retains its rear-facing orientation. 
     Also, it may be seen that a field of detection V of the sensing element  20  (for example, a field of view of a camera) remains oriented toward the rear of the vehicle while dropping from a position spaced a relatively greater distance from the road ( FIG. 2A ) to a position higher position spaced a relatively smaller distance from the road ( FIG. 2C ). 
     Any wires (not shown) operatively connecting the sensing element  20  to the remainder of the vehicle may be structured and/or arranged so as to provide as little drag or resistance as possible to the rotation of the sensing element  20  as the tailgate is rotated. In a particular embodiment, wires electrically coupling the sensing element  20  to the remainder of the vehicle are passed through shaft  22  on which the sensing element  20  is rotatably mounted, to aid in minimizing drag and impediments to motion along exterior surfaces of the sensing element. 
     As the sensing element is freely-rotatable on shaft  22 , the sensing element may rotate or vibrate during vehicle movement unless constrained. To aid in stabilizing the sensing element  20  and maintaining its desired rear-facing orientation during vehicle movement, one or more actuatable locking or retention mechanisms may be incorporated into or operatively coupled to the tailgate  12 . In one embodiment, each retention mechanism is in the form of a conventional electromagnetic (EM) locking mechanism.  FIGS. 2A-2C  show an embodiment with two spaced-apart EM locking mechanisms  40  and  42 . 
     Mechanism  40  is configured to lock or secure the sensing element  20  in the rear-facing orientation when the tailgate is up, and mechanism  42  is configured to lock or secure the sensing element  20  in the rear-facing orientation when the tailgate is down. 
     Mechanism  40  includes a first electromagnet  40   a  mounted inside or along a wall  12   e  of cavity  12   b , and a first metallic or otherwise magnetically attractive element  40   b  incorporated into sensing element  20  and positioned adjacent (or in contact with) the magnet  40   a . In one embodiment, the first magnetically attractive element  40   b  is an armature plate affixed to a housing  20   h  of the sensing element. In another embodiment, the sensing element housing  20   h  (or a portion thereof) is formed from a metallic or other material that is attracted to the magnet  40   a  when it is energized, and the portion of the housing serves as the magnetically attractive element  40   b.    
     Mechanism  42  includes a second electromagnet  42   a  mounted inside or along a wall  12   c  of cavity  12   b , and a second metallic or otherwise magnetically attractive element  42   b  incorporated into sensing element  20  and positioned adjacent (or in contact with) the magnet  42   a . In one embodiment, the magnetically attractive element  42   b  is an armature plate affixed to a housing  20   h  of the sensing element. In another embodiment, the sensing element housing (or a portion thereof) is formed from a metallic or other material that is attracted to the magnets  42   a  when it is energized, and a portion of the housing serves as the magnetically attractive element  42   b.    
     Electromagnets  40   a  and  42   a  are electrically coupled to a voltage source in the vehicle for energization, in a manner known in the art. Either of the retention mechanisms  40  and  42  and the associated electromagnets  40   a  and  42   a  is considered to be activated when the magnets are energized (i.e., when the engine is turned on and electric current flows to the associated magnet(s)). Any magnet and magnetically attractive elements used should have as little residual magnetism as possible when the electromagnet is de-energized, to help ensure that the sensing element  20  will rotate freely without undesirable interference from the magnets  40   a  and  42   a  even when non-energized. Thus, the magnet(s)  40   a  and  42   a  will secure the sensing element in the rear-facing orientation when the tailgate is up and also when the tailgate is down, whenever the magnet(s) are energized. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , sensing element  20  includes a projection  20   p  incorporating the magnetically attractive element and extending toward the cavity wall  12   e . The projection is structured to touch the wall  12   e  or to be spaced a small enough distance from the wall the tailgate is in the “up” position, so that energization of the magnet  40   a  will draw the projection  20   p  into contact with the magnet (or with the portion of the wall  12   e  adjacent the magnet), thereby securing the sensing element in the orientation shown in  FIG. 2A . Contact between the sensing element  20  and the magnet  40   a  (and/or the wall  12   e ) is thus maintained while the magnet  40   a  is energized. Alternatively, magnet  40   a  may project or extend outwardly from wall  12   e  so that it touches or lies closely adjacent to the magnetically attractive portion  40   b  of the sensing element  20 . 
     Alternatively, the side  12   e  of the cavity containing the magnet  40   a  and/or the portion of sensing element housing  20   h  adjacent the magnet  40   a  and containing the magnetically attractive element  40   b  may be otherwise shaped or contoured so as to contact each other (or so as to provide a small clearance between the parts) when the tailgate is in the “up” position and the sensing element  20  is in the rotational configuration shown in  FIG. 2A . A variety of shapes or contours are contemplated. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , cavity wall  12   c  has mounted inside or therealong the magnet  42   a . the wall  12   c  and the portion of the sensing element  20  residing opposite the wall when the tailgate is down are structured to touch each other or to be spaced a small enough distance from each other that energization of the magnet  42   a  will draw the sensing element into contact with the magnet (or with the portion of the wall  12   e  adjacent the magnet), thereby securing the sensing element in the orientation shown in  FIG. 2C . Contact between the sensing element  20  and the magnet  42   a  (and/or the wall  12   c ) is thus maintained while the magnet  42   a  is energized. 
     Alternatively, a portion of sensing element housing  20   h  including the magnetically attractive portion  42   b  may project or extend outwardly toward the sensing element  20  so that it touches or lies closely adjacent the magnet  42   a  positioned along the wall. Alternatively, the side  12   c  of the cavity containing the magnet  42   a  and/or the portion of sensing element housing  20   h  adjacent the magnet  42   a  and containing the magnetically attractive element  42   b  may be otherwise shaped or contoured so as to contact each other (or so as to provide a small clearance between the parts) when the tailgate is in the down position and the sensing element  20  is in the rotational configuration shown in  FIG. 2C . A variety of configurations are contemplated. 
     The EM locks are configured so that, when the locks are electrically energized, the sensing element  20  is maintained by one of magnets  40   a  and  42   a  in one of the rear-facing configurations shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2C . Thus, for example, an EM lock may be energized when the engine is running and the tailgate is either in the “up” ( FIG. 2A ) or “down” ( FIG. 2C ) position during vehicle movement. 
     The vehicle may be configured to energize both of magnets  40   a  and  42   a  whenever the vehicle engine is turned on. Alternatively, the magnet energization circuit may be configured so that only magnet  40   a  is energized when the tailgate  12  is in the up position (shown in  FIG. 2A ) and only magnet  42   a  is energized when the tailgate  12  is in the down position (shown in  FIG. 2C ). When the engine is turned off, neither of the magnets is energized. Thus, with the engine off, the tailgate may be raised or lowered and the sensing element will rotate freely so as to maintain the sensing face  20   f  in a rearward-facing orientation. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  show an alternative embodiment in of the sensing element securement devices just described. In the embodiment shown, the sensing elements have the same configuration as that shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C . However, for the securement mechanism, a single magnet  140  is employed rather than two separate magnets  40   a  and  42   a . The magnet  140  is electrically coupled to a voltage source in the vehicle for energization, in a manner known in the art. As previously described, it is assumed that the sensing element  20  will be in one of the orientations shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3C  when the engine is started and the electromagnet  140  is activated. 
     If the magnet  140  is activated when the sensing element is in the orientation relative to the tailgate shown in  FIG. 3A  (i.e., when the tailgate is up), the sensing element  20  will be touching or spaced a small distance apart from the magnet  140 , at the location of the first magnetically attractive element  40   b  or portion of sensing element housing  20   h . In addition, when the sensing element is in this orientation, the second magnetically attractive element  42   b  or portion of sensing element housing  20   h  is much farther away from the magnet  140  than element  40   b . Also, the location of element  40   b  is the closest movable portion of the sensing element positioned next to magnet  140 . Therefore, when the tailgate is up and the magnet  140  is energized, the sensing element will immediately be drawn into contact with the magnet  140  (or wall  12   e ) at the location of element  40   b.    
     Similarly, if the magnet  140  is activated when the sensing element is in the orientation relative to the tailgate shown in  FIG. 3C  (i.e., when the tailgate is down), the sensing element  20  will be touching or spaced a small distance apart from the magnet  140  at the location of the second magnetically attractive element  42   b  or portion of sensing element housing  20   h . When the sensing element  20  is in this orientation, the first magnetically attractive element  40   b  or portion of sensing element housing  20   h  is much farther away from the magnet  140  than element  42   b . Also, the location of element  42   b  is the closest movable portion of the sensing element positioned next to magnet  140 . Therefore, when the tailgate is down and the magnet  140  is energized, the sensing element  20  will immediately be drawn into contact with the magnet  140  (or wall  12   c ) at the location of element  42   b.    
     It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of various embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to these embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1