# US 2014/0197649 A1 · Pivoting mechansim for movably attaching a camera to a vehicle

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- Number: US 2014/0197649 A1
- Document ID: US20140197649A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/240,807
- Filed: 2012-07-19
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-27
- Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Ralf Hansen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197649A1

## CPC

- B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
- E05C 3/16: with operating handle or equivalent member moving otherwise than rigidly with the latch {(E05C3/122 takes precedence)}
- B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle}
- B60R 2011/0082: {collapsible, e.g. for storing after use}
- B60R 2011/0092: {with motorization}
- Y10T 292/57: Operators with knobs or handles
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A pivoting mechanism for movably attaching a camera to a vehicle. The pivoting mechanism has a vehicle-mounted component; a first rotational joint attached to the vehicle-mounted component; a first pivot arm, the first end of which is rotatably mounted on the first rotational joint; a second rotational joint attached to the vehicle-mounted component; a second pivot arm, the first end of which is rotatably mounted on the second rotational joint; a camera holder; a third rotational joint attached to the camera holder and on which a second end of the first pivot arm is rotatably mounted; and a fourth rotational joint attached to the camera holder and on which a second end of the second pivot arm is rotatably mounted.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pivoting mechanism for the movable attachment of a camera to a vehicle, the pivoting mechanism comprising:
a vehicle-side component which can be attached to the vehicle;
a first rotary joint attached to the vehicle-side component;
a first pivot arm having a first end, a second end and a first length, wherein the first end is rotatably mounted on the first rotary joint;
a second rotary joint attached to the vehicle-side component at a first distance from the first rotary joint;
a second pivot arm having a first end, a second end and a second length, wherein the first end is rotatably mounted on the second rotary joint;
a camera holder which can be attached to the camera;
a third rotary joint attached to the camera holder and on which the second end of a first pivot arm is rotatably mounted; and
a fourth rotary joint attached to the camera holder at a second distance from the third rotary joint and on which the second end of a second pivot arm is rotatably mounted.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first distance and the second distance are different and/or the first length and the second length are different.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first distance, the second distance, the first length and the second length are dimensioned so that the camera holder is movable between a first position and a second position in relation to the vehicle-side component, and so that at least one region of the camera holder moves along an S-shaped movement path during a movement of the camera holder between the first position and the second position in relation to the vehicle-side component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The pivoting mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a drive unit that moves the camera holder between the first and the second position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A camera module for a vehicle, comprising:
the pivoting mechanism of claim 1; and
a camera attached to the camera holder of the pivoting mechanism.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The camera module of claim 5, wherein the vehicle-side component comprises a housing with an opening, wherein the first distance, the second distance, the first length and the second length of the pivoting mechanism are dimensioned such that the camera is movable between a first position and a second position in relation to the housing, wherein the camera, in the first position, is arranged in the interior of the housing, and wherein the camera, in the second position, projects at least partially outward through the opening of the housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

An operating device for opening a vehicle lock, comprising:
an operating handle that can be mounted in an opening of an exterior skin of a vehicle body, wherein the operating handle can be moved from a rest position into an actuated position in order to open the vehicle lock, wherein the operating handle, in the rest position, substantially closes the opening in the exterior skin, and in the actuated position, projects at least partially from the exterior skin; and
the camera module of claim 6, which camera module can be mounted in an interior region of the vehicle within the exterior skin such that the opening of the housing and the opening in the exterior skin are situated opposite one another such that the camera, in the second position, projects at least partially outward through the opening of the housing and through the opening in the exterior skin.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The operating device of claim 7, wherein the operating handle is moved from the rest position into the actuated position with the movement of the camera from the first position into the second position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A vehicle, comprising:
a body with an exterior skin in which an opening is provided; and
the operating device of claim 7, wherein the operating handle of the operating device is mounted in the opening of the exterior skin, and wherein the camera module of the operating device is mounted in the interior region of the vehicle such that the opening of the housing and the opening of the exterior skin are situated opposite one another such that the camera, in the second position, projects at least partially outward through the opening of the housing and through the opening of the exterior skin.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the body comprises a tailgate or a luggage compartment cover of the vehicle, wherein the operating device serves for the opening of a lock for the tailgate or the luggage compartment cover, wherein the camera module is mounted such that, when the tailgate or luggage compartment cover is closed, an objective of the camera, in the second position, is directed toward a rearward ground area behind the vehicle.