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 latch translatable between a latched position wherein the camera is not transitionable between the stowed position and the deployed position, and an unlatched position wherein the camera is transitionable between the stowed position and the deployed position; a first shape memory alloy element transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a first thermal activation signal to thereby transition the camera to the deployed position; and a first resilient member coupled to the housing.