Flip open bumper camera

mickdw

Im looking to get my hands on a small camera that would flip open once powered up to act as a front bumper cam. Something that functions similar to the vw reversing cam that is located within the vw badge on some models and flips open when reverse is selected but I would be looking for something just the size of the camera so small as possible.
Anyone know where I would get such a thing?

colm_mcm

Where on the car would you be mounting it? On the front bumper?

Is it for parking?

A number plate that shifts upwards to reveal a camera might work?

Wouldn't water/rain be a problem though?

mickdw

Ah its more a gimmick than anything else. I have a rear camera fitted and I love it as a gadget.
If I could fit a front one invisibly, I would as I have the xcarlink box fitted to the car that can take more video feeds. Considering how the rear camera gets dirty, Im figuring a front one would need to be sealed from dirt while not in use thats why Im thinking the flip open one. The rear cam is auto when reverse is selected. The front one can be selected anytime with a press of the mode button on steering. Would be useful for pulling up to high kerbs although more a gadget than anything.
The plate idea is good for protecting it and making it invisible but possibly abit too flash.

colm_mcm

How about inside the headlight units?

mickdw

Ive a feeling it would distort the picture.

colm_mcm

Clear lenses?

mickdw

yes but I think they have a double cover - plastic outer

colm_mcm

What car are we talking?

mickdw

Audi A5

colm_mcm

Does it have headlight washers?

mickdw

Yes

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

Yes

Cameras mounted those that pop out of the bumper would be class

mickdw

Im pretty sure that the popping out action is caused by water pressure only so that wouldnt really be very easy. If an electric motor pushed them out, it would be easy enough.

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

Im pretty sure that the popping out action is caused by water pressure only so that wouldnt really be very easy. If an electric motor pushed them out, it would be easy enough.

Pretty sure its a solenoid that pushes it out.

mickdw

I will double check tomorrow as I may be mixing it up with another car but I have a feeling there is no electrical connection to them other than power to the pump at the water tank.

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

I will double check tomorrow as I may be mixing it up with another car but I have a feeling there is no electrical connection to them other than power to the pump at the water tank.

Maybe, I know on toyotas and stuff they're electric. Quick google says Touareg and phaeton are as you describe.

Eric Cartman

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-Ccd-Car-Front-Side-View-Forward-Camera-Parking-Backup-Mini-Color-Cam-/151210988600?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2334e09438

this sort of thing and make a mount for it in your grille ?

mickdw

I have one of those exact cameras here but I figured it would need a cover that would flip open as it would get covered in dirt from the road.

SleeperService

Interesting, must be some motor or solenoid you could repurpose. Ill have a think. Any pics of a similar spec car for ideas for mounting?

mickdw

Not my car but it should show enough detail



I could fit the the camera as linked earlier by cartman as I have it here. Im thinking recessed into the bottom edge of the panel that holds the reg plate with the camera angled down and out. Dirt is the issue though.
A flip open towing eye cover would be quite cool but fiddly to do.

SleeperService

My immediate thoughts would combine something like the removable ash tray insert on some cars - ie a box with spring loaded lid, and a motor or solenoid to pop camera out of box. Hidden behind bumper until camera extends. Dunno would you have the throw on a solenoid.

JimmyCrackCorn

Would you not hide a pinhole camera in the grill.

the police and also stealth radar detector systems do this.

mickdw

JimmyCrackCorn wrote: »

Would you not hide a pinhole camera in the grill.

the police and also stealth radar detector systems do this.

Ya but it would be always dirty.

dharn

Could you plum in an extra windscreen washer in front of it

Eric Cartman

take the camera i linked you to and put it inside a clear perspex cylinder facing sideways, glue a gear with a freewheeling bearing to both ends of the perspex cylinder and attach a motor to a smaller gear and have it rotating one of the gears on the cylinder , build a small metal frame for the whole lot and on the bottom of the frame have a sponge pressed against the cylinder , then install it just behind the grille and wire a DPDT switch to the motor, camera normally faces forward and sees clearly, when it gets dirty you throw the switch on in either direction and give it a quick wipe up / down to clear the dirt , If you knew somebody handy with microcontrollers you could even get it to automatically wipe every time the car starts / by push button / in time with the windscreen / headlight washers.

mickdw

Eric Cartman wrote: »

take the camera i linked you to and put it inside a clear perspex cylinder facing sideways, glue a gear with a freewheeling bearing to both ends of the perspex cylinder and attach a motor to a smaller gear and have it rotating one of the gears on the cylinder , build a small metal frame for the whole lot and on the bottom of the frame have a sponge pressed against the cylinder , then install it just behind the grille and wire a DPDT switch to the motor, camera normally faces forward and sees clearly, when it gets dirty you throw the switch on in either direction and give it a quick wipe up / down to clear the dirt , If you knew somebody handy with microcontrollers you could even get it to automatically wipe every time the car starts / by push button / in time with the windscreen / headlight washers.

Thanks
You put alot of thought into that.
I don't think id ever get around to building that though.
Im thinking the previous suggestion of a washer jet faced at camera might not be a bad set up.

colm_mcm

Definately think having two in the actual headlight clusters would work now, you already have headlamp washers and they're Perspex lenses. Just replace a DRL LED on each side with a camera.

mickdw

That would involve breaking open the lamp unit. Wouldn't be interested in pulling out an led each side either.