Vehicle monitoring apparatus

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring device includes an image taking device having a housing for attaching to a vehicle, a motor disposed in the housing and having a spindle, a follower attached to the spindle and arranged to be rotated and driven by the motor and having a compartment. A video camera is attached to the follower, and rotated in concert with the follower. Another motor is disposed in the compartment of the follower and coupled to the video camera with such as a rack-and-pinion coupling, to rotate and adjust the video camera relative to the follower to different angular directions. A wiper may be attached to the housing, for wiping and cleaning a cap of the housing.

1 . A vehicle monitoring apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: 
 an image taking device including a housing,    a first motor disposed in said housing and including a spindle extended therefrom,    a follower attached to said spindle of said first motor, and arranged to be rotated and driven by said first motor, said follower including a compartment formed therein,    a video camera rotatably attached to said follower, and rotated in concert with said follower, and    a second motor disposed in said compartment of said follower and coupled to said video camera, to rotate and adjust said video camera relative to said follower to different angular directions.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a base panel for attaching to the vehicle, and a casing secured to said base panel and having a space formed therein for receiving said first motor therein.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said follower includes an orifice formed therein for receiving said spindle of said first motor.  
   
   
       4 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said follower includes a non-circular portion formed in said orifice thereof, and said spindle of said first motor includes a non-circular end portion received in said non-circular portion of said follower, to prevent said follower from being rotated relative to said spindle of said first motor.  
   
   
       5 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said follower includes a socket formed therein, said video camera includes a ball attached thereto, and rotatably received in said socket of said follower, to allow said video camera to be rotated and adjusted relative to said follower.  
   
   
       6 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said video camera includes a rack attached thereto and having a plurality of teeth provided thereon, said second motor includes a pinion attached thereto and engaged with said teeth of said rack, to rotate and adjust said rack and thus said video camera relative to said follower.  
   
   
       7 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes an opening formed therein, and a cap engaged in said opening of said housing, to enclose said opening of said housing, and to prevent dirt or particles from entering into said housing.  
   
   
       8 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said image taking device includes a wiper attached to said housing, for wiping and cleaning said cap.  
   
   
       9 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said image taking device includes at least one water supplying nozzle attached to said housing, for supplying water to clean said cap.  
   
   
       10 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said image taking device includes at least one air supplying nozzle attached to said housing, for supplying air to clean said cap.  
   
   
       11 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said image taking device includes a control device coupled to said video camera, to control and operate said video camera.  
   
   
       12 . The vehicle monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said control device includes at least one display device coupled to said video camera, to display images taken by said video camera.