Granted Patent B1

US 9,357,114 · App. 14/816,430 · Granted May 31, 2016

Abstract

Claims (53)

1. A camera system for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing body having first and second ends;

first and second doors mounted on respective first and second ends of the housing body;

a door opener coupled to the first and second doors and operable to move the first and second doors between an open position and a closed position; and

first and second cameras within the housing body.

2. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a perimeter flange on the first and second doors, the perimeter flange being positioned overlapping portions of a top and sides of the housing body when the first and second doors are in a closed position.

3. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

first and second seals mounted between the housing body and respective ones of the first and second doors when the first and second doors are in the closed position.

4. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a heating element mounted within the housing body, the heating element being operable to heat at least one of the housing body and an interior space of the housing body.

5. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a cross beam configured for connected between frame members of a vehicle, the housing body being mounted on the cross beam; and

first and second T-mounting members each having a first portion extending into the cross beam and each having a second portion configured for mounting on surfaces of the frame members that face each other.

6. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

output cables extending from the housing body, the output cables including first and second video cables and a door activation signal cable.

7. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the door opener includes:

a motor or actuator in the housing body, the motor or actuator including an output; and

first and second linkages connected between respective ones of the first and second doors and the output of the motor or actuator,

wherein the motor or actuator is operable to automatically move the first and second doors between the open position and the closed position.

8. A camera system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the first and second linkages are sliding linkages, and further comprising:

first and second springs connected to the first and second linkages, the first and second springs being operable to move doors to a closed position during automatic moving of the doors from the open position to the closed position; and

the first and second linkages being configured to permit manual opening of the first and second doors when the first and second doors are in a closed position by overcoming a spring force of the first and second springs.

9. A camera system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the first and second linkages each include an inner linkage element and an outer sliding sleeve that are slidably movable relative to one another.

10. A camera system as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:

first and second arms connected between the output of the motor or actuator and respective ones of the first and second linkages.

11. A camera system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the motor or actuator includes a motor operable to move the first and second arms between a first position and a second position that are approximately at right angles to one another.

12. A method of displaying a vehicle hitch during coupling of the vehicle hitch to a trailer, comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that a vehicle has been shifted into a reverse gear;

opening first and second doors on a camera housing;

activating first and second video cameras within the camera housing, the first and second video cameras being directed to obtain video information of a coupling operation between the vehicle hitch and the trailer; and

displaying a video signal from at least one of the first and second video cameras to a driver of the vehicle.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that the vehicle has been shifted out of the reverse gear;

continuing to display the video signal to the driver of the vehicle for a predetermined time period;

deactivating the first and second video cameras following the predetermined time; and

closing the first and second doors on the camera housing following the predetermined time.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the opening of the first and second doors includes operating a motor having first and second arms connected to first and second linkages to pivot the first and second doors to an open position.

15. A method as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that the vehicle has been shifted out of the reverse gear; and

closing the first and second doors on the camera housing, the closing including applying a spring force to the doors during closing movement, wherein the doors may remain open during the automatic closing operation if subject to interference.

16. A dual camera apparatus for use on a semi tractor truck for displaying a fifth wheel hitch during coupling to a trailer, comprising:

a cross beam configured for connection between opposing frame members of the semi tractor truck;

a camera housing mounted on the cross beam, the camera housing including a housing body having openings at first and second opposite ends;

first and second doors pivotably mounted on the housing body at the first and second opposite ends, the first and second doors being pivotable to close the openings of the housing body;

first and second video cameras mounted within the housing body and directed to obtain video information from the openings in the housing body;

a motor mounted within the housing body, the motor having an output;

first and second arms mounted to the output of the motor;

first and second linkages connected between respective ones of the first and second arms and respective ones of the first and second doors;

the motor being operable to move the first and second doors between a closed position and an open position via the first and second arms and the first and second linkages;

first and second springs connected to respective ones of the first and second linkages to exert a spring force that is directed to close the respective first and second doors;

the first and second linkages being sliding linkages to permit manual opening of the first and second doors by overcoming the spring force of the respective first and second springs; and

a heating element mounted within the housing body and operable to heat at least one of the housing body and an interior of the housing body.

Assignments (8)