CN107000653B

CN107000653B - Viewing device, vehicle with viewing device and method for operating viewing device

Info

Publication number: CN107000653B
Application number: CN201480083827.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卡斯滕·考什
Original assignee: Audi AG
Current assignee: Audi AG
Priority date: 2014-12-05
Filing date: 2014-12-05
Publication date: 2020-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-05
Also published as: CN107000653A; WO2016087903A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a viewing device for a vehicle (10), comprising a camera device (30) for viewing a vehicle surroundings (12), wherein the camera device (30) comprises at least a first camera (40) and a second camera (60) for viewing the vehicle surroundings (12), wherein an outer region (14) of the vehicle surroundings (12) is located outside a field of view (42) of the at least first camera (40) of the camera device (30), wherein the viewing device comprises a mirror element (44) arranged at least partially in the field of view (42) of the first camera (40), such that the outer region (14) is viewable by the first camera (40) by means of the mirror element (44). The invention also relates to a vehicle (10) and a method of operating a viewing device.

Description

Viewing device, vehicle with viewing device and method for operating viewing device

Technical Field

The invention relates to an observation device for a vehicle, comprising a camera device for observing the surroundings of the vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising such an observation device and to a method for operating an observation device of a vehicle.

Background

Document US 8228177B 1 discloses an erectable, pivotable mooring post (mooring post) which provides power and control for a device mounted to the post. These devices include cameras and recording systems, lights and sensors. The disclosed camera system and sound recording system may be mounted to a roof of a vehicle.

Document JPH10136263A also describes a camera system for a vehicle. The camera system is designed as a vehicle-mounted thermal image recording device, which comprises an infrared camera mounted on an electrically powered stretching rod. The electric stretching rod can be extended in the following way: the infrared camera may capture images of the surroundings of the vehicle. Furthermore, document US 2007/0160364a1 discloses an articulated arm for holding a camera on a vehicle designed as a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a viewing apparatus, a vehicle and a method of the initially mentioned kind, which provide an enlarged overview of the surroundings of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved

This object is solved by a viewing apparatus, a vehicle and a method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments with which the invention can be developed are also specified in the present invention.

Technical scheme

According to the invention, the viewing device for a vehicle comprises a camera device for viewing the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein the camera device comprises at least a first camera and a second camera for viewing the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein an outer zone of the surroundings of the vehicle is located outside the field of view of at least the first camera of the camera device, wherein the viewing device comprises a mirror element arranged at least partially in the field of view of the first camera, such that the outer zone is viewable by the first camera by means of the mirror element.

In photography, photography and other optical imaging techniques, for example, where cameras may be used, a field of view (FOV) is defined as a portion of the surroundings of each camera visible through the camera (or optical sensor) at a particular location and orientation in space. Therefore, these objects, which are usually located at a position outside the FOV when taking an image or making a video, cannot be recorded with individual cameras. By means of the mirror element, objects at least partially outside the FOV of the first camera can also be observed. The mirror element may be at least partially curved, which means that the mirror element surface is designed as an at least partially curved surface. In other words, the mirror elements may comprise a reflective surface, which may have a curvature, such as a convex or concave surface, to name just a few suitable forms of curvature or contour of the reflective surface of the mirror elements. The curvature or contour of the reflecting surface can also be formed as a spherical or aspherical curvature or contour to further suggest other possible embodiments which allow to enlarge the overview of the vehicle surroundings by means of a camera device.

The mirror element allows mounting the camera on the vehicle and orienting, for example, at least a first camera, the FOV of which is directed upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Due to this orientation of the first camera, the FOV of the first camera faces the side away from the vehicle. In other words, the camera may be oriented in the following manner: the way the FOV is at least substantially directed skyward. However, the mirror element is placed in the FOV of the first camera, which is reoriented according to the curvature or contour of the mirror element. In other words, light reflected from the object to be observed is directed to the first camera by the mirror element, wherein the object is located outside the FOV of the first camera. By using suitable mirror elements (mirror element surfaces having appropriate curvature or contour), the FOV of the first camera can be laterally and circumferentially reoriented to expand the visible region of the first camera to a 360 degree field of view. The 360 degree field of view corresponds to a portion of the vehicle surroundings that includes an outer zone or several outer zones that are outside the FOV of the first camera. In other words, the field of view of the visible area of the first camera is enlarged to a ring-shaped field of view (panorama) allowing 360 degrees to observe the vehicle surroundings and the outer zone by means of a mirror element having a suitable curvature. For purposes of better illustration: the 360 degree field of view may be compared, for example, to a body of revolution (e.g., to a portion of the outer region of a torus) produced by rotating a spherical segment about the directional axis of the mirror element. For purposes of better illustration: the orientation axis of the mirror element may be arranged on a central axis of the FOV of the first camera (defined by the conical shape of the viewing angle of the first camera, which corresponds to the FOV enlarged by the mirror element). In other words, the axis of rotation of the rotationally symmetrical mirror element and the orientation axis of the first camera may be arranged, for example, coaxially or parallel.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first camera and the second camera are both oriented in the same orientation direction, wherein the first camera is arranged in the field of view of the second camera.

This arrangement of the first camera and the second camera (e.g. by a processing unit of the viewing apparatus) allows image processing in which the images taken by the first camera and the second camera are synchronized with little effort. Synchronization is understood to be the superposition of at least parts of the individual images or videos of each camera as part of the camera arrangement, wherein any edge distortions between the images or videos are corrected and any time delays between the images taken by the cameras are avoided. The synchronization effect (effort) is poor if the first camera and the second camera are both oriented, for example, parallel or coaxial. Coaxially arranged means that the optical sensors of the first camera and the second camera are coaxially arranged so that they face in the same direction. The synchronization effect is particularly poor if the two cameras have at least almost the same optical properties and/or settings.

It has further proved advantageous if the viewing apparatus comprises a further mirror element which is arranged in the field of view of the second camera, wherein the outer zone is viewable by the second camera via the further mirror element of the viewing apparatus.

The arrangement of the further mirror element in the FOV of the second camera allows a redundant use of the first camera and the second camera. If one of the cameras fails, at least part of the vehicle surroundings can still be observed by the other cameras which are still in order. The synchronization effect of obtaining one image from two images taken by each camera is particularly poor if furthermore the cameras are arranged coaxially and have exactly the same mirror elements (e.g. the same shape, the same surface quality, the same dimensions, to name a few characteristics).

It is particularly useful if the stereo image can be derived from an external section by the camera device.

In other words, objects in the surroundings of the vehicle can be detected by the first camera and the second camera, wherein the viewing device is able to obtain a stereoscopic image or a stereographic image from a first image of the object captured with the first camera and a second image of the object captured with the second camera. At least two cameras are arranged in an offset manner (at least two cameras are arranged at a distance from each other) in order to produce a stereoscopic representation of the observation area by the observation device. In other words, the stereoscopic viewing area can be derived by the viewing device from the images from the two cameras. Therefore, the observation apparatus can generate a depth effect image or video (3D effect image or video) from the stereoscopic representation of the vehicle surroundings including the external section. The depth effect image or image can be monitored by a monitoring device connected to the viewing device, so that, for example, the vehicle occupants can see the vehicle surroundings, i.e. the stereoscopic viewing zone, including the exterior region with stereoscopic perception. The monitoring device (monitor) may be arranged in the passenger compartment.

Preferably, each of the first and second cameras comprises a transparent tube for defining a respective camera chamber of the first and second cameras, wherein the respective camera chamber is at least partially filled with a transparent, non-conductive cooling liquid.

This reduces the risk of overheating of the viewing apparatus due to, for example, sunlight. Through the transparent tube and the transparent, non-conductive cooling liquid, it is possible to observe the vehicle surroundings without interference. Due to the fact that the cooling liquid is not conductive, short circuits can be effectively avoided.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the viewing device comprises at least one extendable support arm, by means of which the camera device is movable between a non-use position, in which the camera device is accommodated, and at least one further position, in which the camera device is able to view the vehicle surroundings.

The use position may correspond to any position other than the storage position. In other words, the observation device can be stored particularly aerodynamically, for example in a storage area of a vehicle. In the non-use position, the viewing apparatus has a very low aerodynamic resistance.

In a further advantageous configuration, the viewing device comprises a holding element, by means of which the camera device is pivotably mounted on top of the at least one telescopic support arm and by means of which the camera device is rotatable relative to the at least one telescopic support arm.

This allows the use of the camera device as a stereoscopic 360 degree surveillance system, where the image frequency can be derived from the rotation of the camera device. Then, the camera arrangement is oriented laterally, or in other words, the camera is oriented laterally, and thus the two cameras are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the vertical axis of the vehicle. In this way, the speed of the object viewed by the viewing device can be estimated particularly accurately, using only optical detection means (camera).

It has proved to be further advantageous if at least one telescopic support arm of the viewing apparatus comprises a plurality of arm members pivotably connected together in pairs.

In other words, the telescopic support arm may be designed as a multi-component holder with many degrees of freedom with respect to the movement of the telescopic support arm.

Preferably, each of the arm members has a different axial length according to the respective pivot axis of each arm member.

In other words, due to their different axial lengths, the arm members may be pivoted such that the arm member having the largest axial length includes and covers another arm member having a smaller axial length. Thus, the arm members can be nested within each other. This allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the viewing apparatus.

It is further advantageous if the at least one telescopic support arm is mounted on the roof of the vehicle or the tailgate of the vehicle.

Although the telescopic support arm and camera arrangement may be mounted on a vehicle roof, the area between the underbody of the vehicle and the road surface may be viewed in another position (not the non-use position). In other words, the at least one telescopic support arm is extendable through the chassis of the vehicle and the camera device is movable to a position where the area between the underbody of the vehicle and the road surface is observable. This allows for example to detect sharp objects that may damage the vehicle tyre.

It is particularly advantageous if the at least one telescopic support arm is mounted on the vehicle by means of a pivotable mounting, by means of which the camera device can be pivoted in accordance with a vertical axis of the vehicle.

This makes the use of the viewing apparatus particularly flexible. Thus, for example, a scratch or dent in a vehicle paint can be easily detected and recorded, no matter where on the vehicle the scratch or dent is located. Due to the possibility of deriving stereo images, the depth of the scratch or dent can also be estimated.

The vehicle according to the invention comprises the viewing apparatus according to the invention. With such a vehicle, a better overview of the vehicle surroundings is provided, since the viewing device provides a particularly extensive overview.

In the method according to the invention for operating an observation device of a vehicle, the surroundings of the vehicle are observed by at least a first camera and a second camera of a camera device. The outer zone of the vehicle surroundings is outside the field of view of at least the first camera of the camera device. The viewing device comprises a mirror element arranged at least partially in the field of view of the first camera such that the outer zone is viewed by the first camera by means of the mirror element.

By observing the vehicle surroundings, generating video data (e.g. 4k ultra high definition) or images of the vehicle surroundings, and providing this data to a monitor located in the passenger compartment, the passengers feel more comfortable and economical as a better overview is provided, which allows to observe the surrounding objects, detect them separately and visually display them.

Preferred embodiments are presented with respect to the viewing apparatus and the vehicle, and the advantages thereof apply correspondingly to the method of operating the viewing apparatus, and vice versa.

The features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description and the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and on the basis of the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional view of a camera device as part of a viewing device, wherein a first camera and a second camera of the camera device are both oriented in the same orientation direction;

FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a camera device in which two cameras are oriented in the same directional orientation and two other cameras are oriented in opposite directions;

FIG. lc is a top view of the camera device currently being pointed laterally;

FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view of the camera device, wherein the respective camera chambers of the first and second cameras are currently filled with a cooling liquid;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a viewing device including a camera device and a telescoping support arm, wherein the viewing device is mounted on a vehicle roof;

figure 3b is a schematic perspective view of the viewing device in a non-use position;

figure 3c is a schematic perspective view of the viewing device in the position of use;

FIG. 4a is a top view of a vehicle with another embodiment of a viewing device mounted on the vehicle roof;

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the viewing device shown in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4c is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a camera device;

FIG. 5a is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a viewing apparatus in which a camera apparatus is connected with a support arm comprising a pair of a plurality of arm members pivotally connected together;

FIG. 5b is a schematic side view illustrating the freedom of movement of the support arm shown in FIG. 5 a;

figure 5c is a schematic side view of the support arm, currently in the non-use position;

FIG. 6a is a top view of a pivotable mount by which the camera device is pivotably mounted to the vehicle;

figure 6b is a schematic side view of the support arm;

figure 6c is another schematic side view of the support arm with the camera device mounted on top of the support arm;

FIG. 6d is another schematic side view of the support arm;

FIG. 7a is a front view of a vehicle with two viewing devices mounted on the vehicle roof according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7b is a top view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8a is a front view of a vehicle with the support arm of the viewing device mounted on the tailgate of the vehicle;

fig. 8b is a side view of the vehicle shown in fig. 8 a.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera arrangement 30 comprising a first camera 40 and a second camera 60. The camera device 30 is part of a viewing device 20 for a vehicle 10, wherein the vehicle 10 is shown in a highly simplified manner. The camera arrangement 30 and thus both the first camera 40 and the second camera 60 are used to view the vehicle surroundings 12. At present, the outer region 14 of the vehicle surroundings 12 is outside the field of view 42 of the first camera 40 of the camera arrangement 30. Currently, the outer zone 14 is also outside the other field of view 62 of the second camera 60. In order to detect and capture images of objects located in the outer zone 14, the observation device 20 comprises two mirror elements, a mirror element 44 and a further mirror element 64, wherein the mirror element 44 is arranged in the field of view 42 of the first camera 40 and the further mirror element 64 is arranged in the further field of view 62 of the second camera 60. Two

mirror elements

44, 64 are arranged in the respective fields of

view

42, 62 in the following manner: outer zone 14, and therefore any objects located in outer zone 14, are viewable by first camera 40 through mirror element 44 and by second camera 60 through another mirror element 64. In other words, although outer zone 14 is located outside of field of view 42 of first camera 40 and further field of view 62 of second camera 60, outer zone 14 may still be viewed by first camera 40 and second camera 60 by way of

respective mirror elements

44, 64. Due to the fact that the first camera 40 and the second camera 60 are arranged in an offset manner (distance between the cameras 40, 60) by the camera arrangement 30, the stereo image 26 may be derived from the outer zone 14 or a target located in the outer zone 14, respectively. Although both first camera 40 and second camera 60 are oriented in the same orientation direction 22 as indicated by the arrow, and thus first camera 40 is disposed in field of view 62 of second camera 60, both

cameras

40, 60 may capture images or even movies of objects located in outer zone 14. The stereoscopic images 26 or stereoscopic imagery may be displayed on monitors 28, respectively, in the vehicle 10. Each of

cameras

40, 60 may detect a target in a

respective mirror region

46, 66, wherein mirror element 44 is able to view the target located in mirror region 46 due to the redirection of the optical path of first camera 40 by mirror element 44. Mirror element 64 is able to view objects located in mirror region 66 due to the redirection of the optical path of second camera 60 by mirror element 64. In other words, outer zone 14 corresponds to an overlapping region where

mirror regions

46, 66 overlap, and thus outer zone 14 defines a stereoscopic field of view in which objects located in outer zone 14 may each be viewed by first camera 40 and second camera 60.

Fig. lb corresponds to fig. 1a to a large extent, so only the differences will be discussed below. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1b, the camera arrangement 30 comprises, in addition to the

cameras

40, 60 described above, a third camera 74 and a fourth camera 76. Third camera 74 and fourth camera 76 are oriented back-to-back with first camera 40 and second camera 60. In other words, the third camera 74 and the fourth camera 76 are arranged symmetrically to the first camera 40 and the second camera 60 with respect to the mirror 72, and therefore the outer interval 14 observed by the camera device 30 in fig. lb is twice the outer interval 14 observed by the camera device 30 shown in fig. 1 a. In other words, when first camera 40 and second camera 60 are both oriented according to orientation direction 22, third camera 74 and fourth camera 76 are oriented in the opposite direction of orientation direction 22, in contrast. Fig. 1b also shows a schematic illustration of the outer zone 14 which can be observed by four

cameras

40, 60, 74, 76, wherein the outer zone 14 corresponds to a wide area of the vehicle surroundings 12, so that only a small blind spot 78 of the vehicle surroundings 12 cannot be observed by any of the

cameras

40, 60, 74, 76. By observing the representation of the vehicle surroundings 12, it can be seen that the outer zone 14 which can be observed by the camera arrangement 30 corresponds to a rotationally symmetrical region, wherein a part of the outer zone 14 lying below the mirror plane can be observed by the first camera 40 and the second camera 60, and another part of the outer zone 14 lying above the mirror plane 72 can be observed by the third and the fourth camera 74 and the fourth camera 76. Obviously, the area of the outer zone 14 around the mirror 72 must be synchronized by the camera device 30 in order to provide a stereoscopic image 26 of the outer zone without the image in the area of the mirror 72 being interrupted. In other words, in order to avoid the edge effect when the stereoscopic image or the stereoscopic video is displayed on the monitor 28, respectively, the lower portion and the upper portion of the outer zone 14 must be synchronized. Both the embodiment of the camera device 30 shown in fig. 1a and the embodiment of the camera device 30 shown in fig. 1b can take 360 degree images (spherical images) from which the stereo image 26 or the stereoscopic imagery can be derived, respectively. Fig. 1c shows the camera arrangement 30 and thus also both

cameras

40, 60 may be directed laterally (opposite to the vertical direction shown in fig. 1a and 1 b) and the camera arrangement 30 may also be rotated in a mirror 72 to provide a stereoscopic 360 degree view, wherein a certain image frequency depends on the rotational speed of the camera arrangement 30. If the

mirror elements

44, 64 have spherically curved mirrors, simple 2D-360 degree image playback can be achieved using only one stereo channel. The data transfer from the camera device 30 to the monitor 28 may be achieved, for example, by Wi-Fi, so that no wiring or accessories are arranged in the respective fields of

view

42, 46, and thus an undisturbed panoramic view may be achieved. In addition to wireless data transmission, charging of the camera device 30 may also be achieved wirelessly. Thus, the camera device 30 includes a rechargeable battery (not shown) that is charged, for example, by induction. It is clear that in this case the camera device 30 also comprises induction means, such as a secondary coil (also not shown). This allows for ad hoc (autochic) automatic positioning and installation on the vehicle 10 without the need to supply components such as cables.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first camera 40. As can be seen in both fig. 2 and 1a, the first camera 40 comprises a transparent tube 48 for delimiting a camera chamber 50 of the first camera 40, and the second camera 60 comprises a further transparent tube 68 for delimiting a further camera chamber 70 of the second camera 60. Each camera chamber 50, 70 is filled with a transparent, non-conductive cooling liquid 36, which may also be used as an anti-icing liquid. In other words, by means of the cooling liquid 36, the two

cameras

40, 60 of the camera arrangement 30 can be protected from extreme temperatures, and both the first camera 40 and the second camera 60 are filled with the cooling liquid 36. Each of the

transparent tubes

48, 68 may be designed as a partially transparent tube, which means that the outer surface of the respective

transparent tube

48, 68 facing the vehicle surroundings 12 may be metallized for aesthetic reasons.

Fig. 3a shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the viewing device 20 currently mounted on the roof 16 of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3a, the viewing device 20 comprises a telescopic support arm 80, which is currently designed as a hydraulic cylinder. To avoid motion induced vibrations, the support arm 80 includes an anti-shock spring damper system (not shown). By means of the support arm 80, the camera device 30 can be moved up and down, wherein in fig. 3b the camera device 30 and the viewing device 20 are shown in a non-use position 96, and in fig. 3c the viewing device 20 is shown in a use position 98 corresponding to another position than the non-use position 96. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3a, the viewing device 20 is also in the use position 98, so that the support arm 80 is at least partially extended and retracted, wherein the camera device 30, which is currently surrounded by the acrylic box 108, is held at a distance from the vehicle roof 16 by the support arm 80. In the non-use position 96, at least a portion of the viewing device 20 is received in a box 118, the box 118 being disposed beneath the vehicle roof 16 and including the air inlet 110 and the air outlet 112. The air inlet 110 and the air outlet 112 are used for convective heat exchange or transfer between the cooling liquid 36 stored in the fluid tank 114, respectively, wherein the cooling liquid 36 can be pumped through the entire viewing device 20 (and also through the

cameras

40, 60, 74, 76) by the pump 116. The camera device 30 is connected to the telescopic support arm 80 via a holding element 88.

Fig. 4a and 4b show another embodiment in which the viewing device 20 comprises a sonic cover (sonic cap) 102 that can be used to keep the camera device 30 clean by ultrasound. The camera device 30 shown in fig. 4a and 4b can be arranged, for example, on a vehicle roof 16 as shown in fig. 4a, wherein the camera device 30 is mounted on the roof holder 104. In an alternative embodiment, the camera 30 may also be mounted on the tailgate 18 of the vehicle 10. In the embodiments shown in fig. 4a and 4b, respectively, the camera device 30 may be arranged parallel to a vertical axis 86 of the vehicle 10. Fig. 4c shows another embodiment of the viewing apparatus 20, wherein the support arm 80 is not telescopic and both ends of the support arm 80 hold one camera apparatus 30. Furthermore, the support arm 80 shown in fig. 4c includes a means for securing the viewing device 20 to, for example, the vehicle roof 16 or the tailgate 18 of the vehicle 10, to name a few possibilities.

Fig. 5a shows a side view of another embodiment of the viewing device 20. The viewing device 20 further comprises a telescopic support arm 80, by means of which support arm 80 the camera device 30 is movable between a non-use position 96, in which the camera device 30 is received, and a use position 98 (another position), in which the camera device 30 is able to view the vehicle surroundings 12. In fig. 5a the camera arrangement 30 is in the use position 98, and in fig. 5c the camera arrangement is in the non-use position 96. To provide many degrees of freedom with respect to the mobility of the viewing device 20, the telescoping support arm 80 includes a plurality of pivotally connected pairs of

arm members

82, 84. To further enhance the movability, the viewing apparatus 20 further comprises a holding element 88, by means of which holding element 88 the camera arrangement 30 is pivotably mounted on a top portion 90 of the telescopic support arm 80, and by means of which holding element 88 the camera arrangement 30 is rotatable relative to the telescopic support arm 80. Fig. 5b shows the high mobility of the support arm 80, wherein even scratches on the side of the vehicle 10 or objects between the underbody of the vehicle 10 and the road surface, for example, can be observed by the observation device 20 due to the multiple degrees of freedom of movement. In other words, although the observation device 20 is mounted on the roof panel 16 or the tailgate 18, the object between the underbody of the vehicle 10 and the road surface can still be observed by the camera device 30 of the observation device 20.

Fig. 6a shows a pivotable mounting 24, which mounting 24 can be used to pivotably mount the viewing device 20 on, for example, a vehicle roof or tailgate 18. The pivotable mounting 24 is designed as a ring with a circumferential groove. Furthermore, the pivotable mounting 24 comprises a motor 106, by means of which motor 106 the support arm 80, which engages with the recess and is thus guided in its movement, can be rotated precisely.

Fig. 6b shows that in another embodiment the motor 100 is arranged between the

arm members

82, 84, wherein the motor 100 comprises a simple transmission (not shown) for controlled relative movement between the

arm members

82, 84.

Fig. 6c shows that the

arm members

82, 84 each have a different axial length L, L depending on the

respective pivot axis

92, 94 of each of the

arm members

82, 84. This allows the

arm members

82, 84 to be nested in such a way that the support arms can be moved to the non-use position 96 shown in figure 5 c. As shown in fig. 6c and 6d, the viewing device 20 can be easily moved from the non-use position 96 (see fig. 5 c) into the use position 98 by a motor 100 (e.g., an electric motor).

Fig. 7a and 7b each show a further embodiment, in which the retractable support arm 80 is designed as a roof rail. In addition to the embodiment shown in fig. 5a, the support arm 80 is mounted on the vehicle by means of a pivotable mounting 24, by means of which pivotable mounting 24 the camera arrangement 30 is pivotable according to a vertical axis 86 of the vehicle.

Fig. 8a and 8b each show another view of the viewing apparatus 20 with the telescopic support arm 80 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 5 a. The viewing device 20 is mounted on the tailgate 18 of the vehicle 10 so that the camera device 30 may be stowed in the trunk of the vehicle 10, whereby the camera device 30 is in the non-use position 96.

Claims

1. An observation device (20) for a vehicle (10), comprising a camera device (30) for observing the vehicle surroundings (12),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the camera arrangement (30) comprises at least a first camera (40) and a second camera (60) for observing the vehicle surroundings (12), wherein an outer region (14) of the vehicle surroundings (12) is located outside a field of view (42) of at least the first camera (40) of the camera arrangement (30), wherein the observation arrangement (20) comprises a mirror element (44) arranged at least partially in the field of view (42) of the first camera (40) such that the outer region (14) is observable by the first camera (40) by means of the mirror element (44),

the viewing device (20) comprising at least one telescopic support arm (80), by means of which telescopic support arm (80) the camera device (30) is movable between a non-use position (96) and at least one further position (98), the camera device (30) being accommodated in the non-use position (96) and the camera device (30) being able to view the vehicle surroundings (12) in the at least one further position (98),

at least one telescopic support arm (80) of the viewing device (20) comprises a plurality of arm members (82, 84) in pairs pivotably connected together,

wherein the viewing device (20) comprises a holding element (88), the camera device (30) being pivotably mounted on a top portion (90) of the at least one telescopic support arm (80) by means of the holding element (88), the camera device (30) being rotatable relative to the at least one telescopic support arm (80) by means of the holding element (88),

the camera arrangement (30) is oriented laterally, and the first camera (40) and the second camera (60) are oriented laterally and arranged perpendicularly with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle (10), such that a speed of an object viewed by the viewing arrangement (20) can be estimated using only the cameras, wherein an image frequency can be derived from a rotation of the camera arrangement (30).

2. Observation device (20) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first camera (40) and the second camera (60) are both oriented towards the same orientation direction (22), wherein the first camera (40) is arranged in a field of view (62) of the second camera (60).

3. Observation device (20) according to claim 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the viewing device (20) comprises a further mirror element (64) arranged in the field of view (62) of the second camera (60), wherein the outer region (14) is viewable by the second camera (60) by means of the further mirror element (64) of the viewing device (20).

4. Observation device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

by means of the camera device (30), a stereo image (26) can be derived from the outer zone (14).

5. Observation device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

each of the first camera (40) and the second camera (60) comprises a transparent tube (48, 68) for delimiting a respective camera chamber (50, 70) of the first camera (40) and the second camera (60), wherein the respective camera chamber (50, 70) is at least partially filled with a transparent, non-conductive cooling liquid (36).

6. Observation device (20) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

each of the arm members (82, 84) has a different axial length (L, L) depending on the respective pivot axis (92, 94) of each of the arm members (82, 84).

7. Observation device (20) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the at least one retractable support arm (80) is mounted on a vehicle roof (16) or tailgate (18) of the vehicle (10).

8. Observation device (20) according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the at least one telescopic support arm (80) is mounted on the vehicle (10) by means of a pivotable mounting (24), the camera device (30) being pivotable by means of the mounting (24) and according to a vertical axis (86) of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle (10) comprising an observation device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for operating an observation device (20) of a vehicle (10), the observation device (20) comprising a camera device (30) for observing an environment (12) surrounding the vehicle,

the method is characterized by comprising the following steps:

-observing the vehicle surroundings (12) by means of at least a first camera (40) and a second camera (60) of the camera arrangement (30), wherein an outer zone (14) of the vehicle surroundings (12) is located outside the field of view (42) of at least the first camera (40) of the camera arrangement (30), wherein the observation arrangement (20) comprises a mirror element (44) arranged at least partially in the field of view (42) of the first camera (40) such that by means of the mirror element (44) the outer zone (14) is observable by the first camera (40),

wherein the viewing device (20) comprises at least one telescopic support arm (80), the camera device (30) being movable by means of the telescopic support arm (80) between a non-use position (96) and at least one further position (98), the camera device (30) being accommodated in the non-use position (96) and the camera device (30) being able to view the vehicle surroundings (12) in the at least one further position (98),