An imaging system (22, 23 figure 2) attaches to a frame on an underside of a vehicle (17) and comprises a housing 42 forming an enclosure with an open bottom 55. A fixed camera 45 is mounted in the enclosure having a field of view directed through the open bottom. A reflector 57 is supported by a carrier mechanism having a linear section 47, 48 and a rotary section 49, 50. The linear section is extendable between a retracted position which stows the reflector inside the enclosure and an extended position (figures 7-15) which deploys the reflector through the open bottom. The rotary section rotates (figure 8) the reflector into an alignment with the camera to provide a reflected field of view along the underside of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the carrier mechanism for selectively deploying the reflector through the open bottom for limited periods to capture images during predetermined conditions and otherwise retracting the reflector into the enclosure for shielding from an external environment. The reflector may be a convex mirror, double sided mirror or prism, and a debris remover 56 for cleaning the reflector may be provided. The field of view may be aimed towards a wheel of the vehicle when the vehicle is parking, reversing etc.
Shielded camera monitoring of wheels from vehicle underside using reflectors
2018-12-26
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
SHIELDED CAMERA MONITORING OF WHEELS FROM VEHICLE UNDERSIDE USING REFLECTORS
Europäisches Patentamt | 2018
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