Side mirror mount for a camera

#Field of the Invention

#This application is generally directed to a camera system for a vehicle, and more particularly to a side mirror mounting arrangement for a night vision camera.

#Camera systems and, more specifically, night vision systems are generally known in the art. Camera systems provide the driver of a vehicle enhanced viewing of the surrounding environment, by providing a wider field of vision or improved visability when it is dark. As an example of such camera system use, infrared cameras and similar devices have been used to improve night vision capability in a wide variety of applications. Although more widely used in military or aerospace applications, the decreasing cost of the night vision system has also led to a more recent suggested widespread use on commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. The night vision equipment provides for improved vision at night when little or no ambient light is available.

#FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a truck cab, particularly the driver's side portion thereof.

#FIG. 2 is a plan view of a modified side view mirror housing.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the camera located adjacent to a rear side of a heated mirror.

#With reference to FIG. 1, a commercial vehicle such as, for example, a truck or tractor 10 is modified to incorporate a camera system. In one embodiment, the camera system is a night vision camera. A display unit 11 is disposed within a truck cab 12.

#In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a forward facing camera is located in a region and with an orientation that approximates the perspective of the driver. In this manner, the driver directly views the road through the windshield from substantially the same perspective as the display of the night vision system. Furthermore, such location prevents the decrease in lighting or the decrease in comfort space available to the driver if the camera system was placed in place of an overhead running light 14 or in the storage compartment region 16, respectively.

#According to the present invention, a side view mirror assembly 20 is design to incorporate the night vision camera. Additionally, it should be noted that existing side mirror assemblies can be modified in accordance with the description herein to incorporate the night vision camera. A housing 22 of the side view mirror assembly 20 faces forwardly and contains an opening or aperture 24 therein. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, the side view mirror assembly has a housing of an elongated height and typically includes a pair of mirrors, as is well known in the art. For example, a planar, first mirror 30 provided in an upper portion of the housing (approximately the upper two-thirds (⅔) of the housing) faces generally rearwardly. As illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, this first mirror is secured to an adjustable mounting or support member 32. A control assembly, for example first and second adjustment motors (not shown), provide for selective manipulation of the mirror about vertical and horizontal axes to orient the mirror as desired. This selective adjustment is controlled from within the cab in a manner well known in the art so that further discussion of that structure and function is deemed unnecessary to a full and complete understanding of the present invention. Suitable power and control wiring is illustrated at 34 as extending from the rear of the support member 32 for electrical control of the selective adjustment of the first mirror. The wiring 34 is routed to an appropriate control device (not shown) within the cab.