Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to camera mounting in a vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to the mounting of the camera to a bumper of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter.
[003] With the advancement in technology, several safety related features are being incorporated into vehicles. One such safety feature is camera’s positioned at the front end and back end of the vehicles to provide visual access to the driver with regards to what is present at the front and back of the vehicle which otherwise would not be available to the driver.
[004] Existing solutions for camera mounting includes both positive and non-positive type fitment. There are drawbacks associated with the non-positive type mounting which is the impact of camera image stability after some time due to vibrations, loose fitment of snap, among others.
[005] To improve aesthetics, camera cover is usually integrated or molded to the bumper tool itself. This mounting creates additional variant for vehicle with camera and without camera. Also in such cases, camera is more visible or easily noticeable from outside of vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[006] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[007] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a camera mounting assembly for mounting a camera to a bumper of a vehicle.
[008] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose a camera mounting assembly that eliminates the need for integrating a camera cover into the vehicle bumper.
[009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a camera mounting assembly that allows for easy water flow.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to mounting camera to vehicle bumper. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to a camera mounting assembly for mounting a camera to a bumper of a vehicle. The camera mounting assembly comprises a camera bracket, a camera and a camera cover. The camera bracket is configured to be positively mounted to the bumper of the vehicle. The camera is configured to capture images ahead of the bumper. The camera is positively mounted to the camera bracket. The camera cover is detachably attached to the camera bracket. The camera cover is configured to cover the camera.
[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a camera mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the camera mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate orthographic views of camera cover, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a bumper to which the camera mounting assembly is connected to, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates attachment of the camera mounting assembly to the camera mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates the camera mounting assembly attached to the bumper, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0021] FIG. 7 discloses a sectional view of the camera mounting assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0022] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0026] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0027] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0029] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, disclosed is a camera mounting assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The camera mounting assembly 100 comprises a camera bracket 202, a camera 204 and a camera cover 206.
[0030] The camera bracket 202 is configured to be positively mounted to a bumper 402 (shown in FIG. 4) of a vehicle. The camera bracket 202 comprises a central part 210 and two wing parts 208 each attached to opposite sides of the central part 210. The wing parts 208 extend in the width direction of the vehicle.
[0031] In an embodiment, the wing parts 208 are affixed to the bumper 402 (also vehicle bumper 402) using conventional fasteners such as screws, among others.
[0032] In an embodiment, the central part 210 defines a depression 212 to receive the camera 204. The depression 212 defines the shape of the camera 204 perimeter such that the base 216 of the camera 204 is configured to sit tightly without any movement within the depression 212.
[0033] In an embodiment, plane of the central part 210 is titled at an angle with respect to plane of the wing parts 208. Front surface of the central part 210 along the width of the vehicle is not along the same plane as that of front face of the wing parts 208. The tilt of the central part 210 provides for a downward angle on the camera 204 when placed in the depression 212 defined by the central part 210.
[0034] In an embodiment, the plane of the central part 210 is titled to, but not limited to, 20-40 degrees with respect to plane of the wing parts 208. Further, tilt angle of the plane of the central part 210 further depends on the structure of the vehicle, specifically, height of the bumper.
[0035] Referring to FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C, the camera cover 206 defines a top surface 302, front surfaces 304, 306, side surfaces 312 and a bottom surface 318. The top surface 302, the front surfaces 304, 306, the side surfaces 312 and the bottom surface 318 all combine to define a receiving area 320 to receive the camera 204.
[0036] In an embodiment, the top surface 302 is inclined downwards at an angle to the horizontal length 308 of the vehicle. The front surfaces 304, 306 are inclined to each other and front surfaces 304, 306 are inclined to the top surface 302 too. The front surfaces 304, 306 along with the top surface 302 define a U-shape.
[0037] In an embodiment, the front surfaces 304, 306 are configured to be flush with the bumper 402. The front surfaces 304, 306 do not protrude out from the bumper 402.
[0038] In an embodiment, the top surface 302 comprises a plurality of snap joints 310, wherein the snap joints 310 are configured to attach the camera cover 206 to the camera bracket 202. Additionally, the side surfaces 312 comprise a plurality of snap joints 314, wherein the snap joints 314 are configured to attach the camera cover 206 to the camera bracket 202. The snaps joints 310, 314 are configured to be received by the central part 210 of the camera bracket 202. Thus, the camera is completely covered and protected by the camera cover 206.
[0039] In an embodiment, the front surface 306 defines an opening 316. The opening is configured to accommodate camera lens 212 of the camera 204. The camera lens 212 of the camera 204 is flush with the camera cover 206. The flush attachment of the camera lens 212 with the camera cover 206 means that the camera lens 212 does not protrude out from the front surface 306 of the camera cover 206.
[0040] The covering of the camera 204 with the camera cover 206 ensures that the camera is protected from external elements such as unwanted debris on the road, rain water, among others.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, a vehicle bumper 402 is disclosed that is configured to receive the camera mounting assembly 100. The vehicle bumper 402 receives the camera mounting assembly 100 at position 404 which is the centre part of the vehicle bumper 402.
[0042] In an embodiment, the vehicle bumper 402 may be a front bumper or a back bumper.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, disclosed is an attachment of the camera mounting assembly 100 to the vehicle bumper 402. Inner surface 600 (shown in FIG. 6) of the vehicle bumper 402 comprises a plurality of fastener receivers 502 that define a hole 504. The fastener receivers 502 are positioned such that they face the vehicle cabin. Each of the wing parts 208 of the camera bracket 202 define a hole 506 such that the hole 506 is in alignment with the hole 504 defined by the fastener receivers 502. A fastener 508, such as screw, is configured to pass through the holes 504, 506 to affix the camera bracket 202 to the bumper 402.
[0044] The protrusion of the fastener receivers 502 towards the vehicle cabin direction provides a positive fitment to the camera bracket 202.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 6, the central part 210 of the camera bracket 202 defines a plurality of holes 602 that are configured to affix the camera 204 to the camera bracket 202. The base 216 of the camera defines a plurality of holes (not shown) that are coaxial to the holes 602 defined by the central part 210 of the camera bracket 202. Fixtures 602, such as screws, are used to hold the camera 204 to the camera bracket 202. This way of inserting the screw 602 from the camera bracket 202 to the camera 204 provides a positive mounting of the camera 204 to the camera bracket 202.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 7, it may be seen that the camera cover 206 is flush with the bumper 402. Additionally, there is a gap between the camera cover 206 and the bumper 402 to allow the passage of fluid (or water) that flows down from the top surface 302 of the camera cover 206.
[0047] The presence of a separate camera cover 206 in the camera mounting assembly 100 of the present invention eliminates the necessity to have a camera cover integrated with the vehicle bumper.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0048] The present disclosure proposes a camera mounting assembly for mounting a camera to a bumper of a vehicle.
[0049] The present disclosure proposes a camera mounting assembly that eliminates the need for integrating a camera cover into the vehicle bumper.
[0050] The present disclosure proposes a camera mounting assembly that allows for easy water flow.
[0051] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0052] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0053] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0054] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0055] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0056] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving automobile that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

Claims:

We claim:
1. A camera mounting assembly (100) for mounting a camera (204) to a bumper (402) of a vehicle, the camera mounting assembly (100) comprising:
a camera bracket (202) to be positively mounted to a bumper (402) of a vehicle;
a camera (204) for capturing images ahead of the bumper (402), wherein the camera (204) is positively mounted to the camera bracket (202); and
a camera cover (206) detachably attached to the camera bracket (202), wherein the camera cover (206) is configured to cover the camera (204).

2. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera bracket (202) comprises a central part (210) and two wing parts (208) each attached to opposite sides of the central part (210).

3. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wing parts (208) are configured to be attached to the bumper (402).

4. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central part (210) defines a depression (212) to receive the camera (204), wherein the depression (212) defines the shape of the camera (204) perimeter.

5. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein plane of the central part (210) is titled at an angle with respect to plane of the wing parts (208).

6. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera cover (206) defines a top surface (302), front surfaces (304, 306), side surfaces (312) and a bottom surface (318), wherein the all the surfaces (302, 304, 306, 312, 318) define a receiving area (320) to receive the camera (204).
7. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top surface (302) is inclined downwards at an angle to length (308) of the vehicle.

8. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front surfaces (304, 306) are inclined to each other and the top surface (302) to define a U-shape.

9. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front surfaces (304, 306) are flush with the bumper (402).

10. The camera mounting assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the front surface (306) defines an opening (316) to accommodate camera lens (212) of the camera (204).