Replacement mirror system with IR LED overheating management
AssigneeOrlaco Products B.V.
InventorsAlfred van den Brink, Kent Palsson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A camera mirror system for a vehicle includes, among other things, a camera that has a field of view, a display in communication with the camera that is configured to depict the field of view, and an infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) that is configured to illuminate the field of view. The IR LED is configured to operate at a temperature. The system further includes a controller that is configured to provide at least one of a warning or an IR LED shut down command in response to the temperature exceeding a threshold.
Claims15
A camera mirror system for a vehicle comprising:
- a camera having a field of view;
- a display in communication with the camera configured to depict the field of view;
- an infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) configured to illuminate the field of view, the IR LED configured to operate at a temperature;
- a camera housing, the camera and the IR LED are arranged in the camera housing and configured to be arranged outside the vehicle, wherein the IR LED is mounted on a first controller;
- and
- a second controller configured to provide at least one of a warning or an IR LED shut down command in response to the temperature exceeding a threshold, wherein the second controller is arranged outside the camera housing and configured to be arranged inside the vehicle, wherein the second controller is configured to sense current from the IR LED and infer the temperature based upon the current, and the second controller includes a video processor configured to provide a video signal to the display, the first and second controllers connected by a wire bundle consisting of two wires, the current provided over the wires.
A method of managing night vision for a vehicle camera mirror system having a camera housing with a camera, comprising the steps of:
- providing the camera, an infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) and a temperature sensor in the camera housing and outside of the vehicle, wherein the IR LED is mounted on a first controller in the camera housing;
- providing a second controller that includes a video processor configured to provide a video signal to the display, the second controller arranged outside the camera housing and configured to be arranged inside the vehicle, the first and second controllers connected by a wire bundle consisting of two wires;
- powering the IR LED;
- sensing a temperature related to the IR LED with the temperature sensor, wherein the sensing step includes sensing a current provided to the IR LED, and the temperature is inferred from the current provided over the wires;
- and
- commanding one of a warning or the IR LED in response to the temperature exceeding a threshold.
A camera mirror system for a vehicle comprising:
- a camera arm having a metallic mounting bracket supporting a camera housing, the mounting bracket configured to secure the camera arm to the vehicle;
- a camera arranged in the camera housing and including a field of view;
- a night vision assembly including an infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) arranged in another housing, the night vision assembly is configured to illuminate the field of view, the other housing secured to the mounting bracket to conductively dissipate heat from the IR LED to the mounting bracket;
- and
- wherein the camera arm includes a pivotal portion pivotably mounted to a fixed portion, the mounting bracket and the night vision assembly arranged in the fixed portion, and the camera arranged in the pivotable portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.