Deployable camera systems

摘要

A deployable camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a housing having an exterior surface. The camera is reversibly transitionable between a stowed position in which the camera is recessed into the cavity and the exterior surface is substantially flush with the body, and a deployed position wherein the camera protrudes from the cavity and the exterior surface is not substantially flush with the body. The deployable camera system includes a first shape memory alloy element transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a first thermal activation signal.

主权项

1. A deployable camera system for a vehicle, the deployable camera system comprising:
a body defining a cavity therein; a camera including a housing having an exterior surface, wherein the camera is reversibly transitionable between a stowed position in which the camera is recessed into the cavity and the exterior surface is substantially flush with the body, and a deployed position in which the camera protrudes from the cavity and the exterior surface is not substantially flush with the body; a member defining a channel therein; a pin operably coupled to the camera and translatable within the channel; and a first shape memory alloy element coupled to the pin and transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a first thermal activation signal to thereby translate the pin within the channel between:
an initial position wherein the camera is disposed in the stowed position;a secondary position wherein the camera is disposed in the deployed position and the first shape memory alloy element is in the second state;a nominal position wherein the camera is disposed in the deployed position and the first shape memory alloy element is in the first state; anda tertiary position wherein the camera is disposed in the deployed position and the first shape memory alloy element is in the second state.