Camera cleaning structure

Abstract

The camera cleaning structure includes a cylinder body having a cavity, one end of the cavity being communicated with a nozzle; a piston is limited in the cavity in a reciprocating movement mode; an elastic member is connected with the piston, so as to push the air in the cavity, and then high-pressure air is output through the nozzle; a rotating assembly includes a driving member and a rotating disc, the driving member being connected with the rotating disc to drive the rotating disc to rotate; the disc surface of the rotating disc is provided with a slide rail, the slide rail having a first side surface and a second side surface which are parallel to each other, the first side surface at one end of the slide rail being provided with a first buckling part, and the second side surface at the other end of the slide rail being provided with a second buckling part; and one end of a connecting rod is connected with one end of the piston, and the other end of the connecting rod is provided with a sliding part which is limited in the first buckling part, the slide rail or the second buckling part when the rotating disc rotates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a camera cleaning structure, and more particularly to one capable of ejecting high-pressure air to clean the lens portion / optical surface of a camera. Background Technology

[0002] To improve road safety, various Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become increasingly common. ADAS primarily uses monitoring devices installed throughout the vehicle to collect information about the driving environment. This information is then appropriately categorized and processed by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and the driver is alerted through audible warnings or on-screen displays. Cameras are one of the most commonly used monitoring devices in ADAS, especially those located on the vehicle's surface. Their lenses and optical surfaces are frequently contaminated with rainwater, dust, or other dirt (oil, mud, etc.). To remove these contaminants, a separate cleaning device typically uses high-pressure gas to periodically clean the camera lens / optical surface, ensuring a clear image capture.

[0003] As shown in the Chinese invention patent CN108238009B, "Washer and Vehicle Including Washer," one type of washer uses gas jet to clean a vehicle-mounted camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera). It mainly connects a motor to a worm gear assembly, and an "incomplete gear" is set on the worm gear to correspond with a "rack." When the worm gear rotates, the piston is stretched by the coaxial incomplete gear corresponding to the rack teeth, thereby generating high-pressure air. Another similar structure is shown in the Chinese invention patent CN110191825B, "Fluid Jetting Device for Vehicle Cameras." It mainly connects a worm gear to a "gear section," and a coaxially rotating "cam" is set inside the gear section. One end of the piston is pressed against the cam. When the cam rotates, it displaces the piston, thereby achieving the purpose of jetting compressed air.

[0004] However, the two patents mentioned above use a large number of parts and have a complex structure. Furthermore, in the case of patent CN108238009B, the release of the spring during rapid return causes the rack to directly impact the inner wall of the gear teeth. Over time, this can easily lead to component breakage, requiring frequent repairs or replacement of parts. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, in order to provide a structure different from the prior art and to improve the above-mentioned shortcomings, the inventors, through years of experience and continuous research and development, have produced this invention.

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a camera cleaning structure that solves the problems of traditional camera cleaning mechanisms having a large number of parts, complex structure, and components that are easily damaged and require frequent repair or replacement. Instead, a rotating component drives a connecting rod and a piston, and an elastic element pushes the piston to quickly return to its original position to discharge high-pressure gas. This reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure, which not only extends the product's service life but also makes it easier for users to disassemble and replace parts.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the camera cleaning structure of this invention includes a cylinder, a piston, an elastic element, a rotating assembly, and a connecting rod. The cylinder has a cavity, one end of which is connected to a nozzle. The piston is confined within the cavity by reciprocating movement. The elastic element is connected to the piston, driving it to push air within the cavity and output high-pressure air through the nozzle. The rotating assembly includes a drive member and a turntable. The drive member is connected to the turntable to drive its rotation. The turntable has a slide rail on its surface, with a first side and a second side parallel to each other. A first holding portion is located on the first side at one end of the slide rail, and a second holding portion is located on the second side at the other end. One end of the connecting rod is connected to one end of the piston. The other end of the connecting rod has a sliding portion, allowing the turntable to be confined within the first holding portion, the slide rail, or the second holding portion during rotation.

[0008] In practice, the invention also includes a frame having a receiving space to receive the rotating assembly and the connecting rod; the frame has a vertical side plate connected to one end of the cylinder, and the vertical side plate has a circular through hole for the piston to pass through.

[0009] In practice, the other end of the cavity has a circular opening with a diameter larger than that of the through hole; the piston includes a piston head and a piston rod, the piston head reciprocates within the cavity, and the piston rod passes through the through hole.

[0010] During implementation, the elastic element is a spring that sleeves the piston rod, and the two ends of the elastic element press against the piston head and the vertical side plate respectively.

[0011] In practice, the slide rail is an elongated groove on the turntable surface, the first holding part is an arc-shaped groove on the first side, and the second holding part is an arc-shaped groove on the second side.

[0012] In practice, a third fastening part is provided on the second side of one end of the slide rail, and a fourth fastening part is provided on the first side of the other end of the slide rail.

[0013] In practice, the slide rail is an elongated groove on the turntable surface, the third fastening part is an arc-shaped groove on the second side, and the fourth fastening part is an arc-shaped groove on the first side.

[0014] In practice, the driving component includes a motor and a worm gear driven by the motor. The turntable includes an upper and lower circular plate portion and a worm wheel. The worm gear meshes with the worm wheel to drive the turntable to rotate.

[0015] During implementation, the circular plate has a slide rail, a first fastening part, and a second fastening part on its surface.

[0016] In practice, one end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to one end of the piston, and the sliding part of the connecting rod is a downward protrusion.

[0017] The camera cleaning structure of this invention includes a cylinder, a piston, an elastic element, a rotating assembly, and a connecting rod. The cylinder has a cavity, one end of which is connected to a nozzle. The piston is confined within the cavity by reciprocating movement. The elastic element is connected to the piston, driving it to push air within the cavity and output high-pressure air through the nozzle. The rotating assembly includes a drive member and a turntable. The drive member is connected to the turntable to drive its rotation. The turntable has a slide rail with a first side and a second side. A first holding portion is located on the first side at one end of the slide rail, and a third holding portion is located on the first side at the other end. One end of the connecting rod is connected to one end of the piston. The other end of the connecting rod has a sliding portion, which is confined within the first holding portion when the turntable rotates counterclockwise and within the third holding portion when the turntable rotates clockwise.

[0018] To further understand the present invention, preferred embodiments are described below in conjunction with accompanying drawings and reference numerals, detailing the specific composition of the present invention and its achieved effects: Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the usage state of the turntable when it begins to rotate counterclockwise, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of the turntable when it rotates counterclockwise according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of the slide rail when it is rotated to the horizontal direction according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of the elastic element in a preferred embodiment of the present invention when it recovers its elastic force to generate high-pressure air;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of the elastic element in a preferred embodiment of the present invention when it recovers its elastic force to generate high-pressure air;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the usage state of the elastic element in a preferred embodiment of the present invention when it recovers its elastic force to generate high-pressure air;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the turntable in a clockwise direction, representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0029] 1: Camera cleaning structure

[0030] 2: Cylinder block

[0031] 21: Cavity

[0032] 22: Nozzle

[0033] 23: Opening

[0034] 3: Frame

[0035] 31: Accommodation space

[0036] 32: Side panel

[0037] 33: Through hole

[0038] 34: Base Plate

[0039] 4: Piston

[0040] 41: Piston head

[0041] 42: Piston rod

[0042] 43: Rubber Ring

[0043] 5: Elastic components

[0044] 6: Rotating component

[0045] 61: Drive components

[0046] 611: Electric motor

[0047] 612: Worm Gear

[0048] 62: Turntable

[0049] 621: Circular plate section

[0050] 622: Worm Gear

[0051] 63: Slide rail

[0052] 631: First Side View

[0053] 632: Second Side View

[0054] 64: First buckling part

[0055] 65: Second buckling part

[0056] 66: Third fastening section

[0057] 67: Fourth fastening section

[0058] 7: Linkage

[0059] 71: Sliding part. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The camera cleaning structure of this invention mainly includes a cylinder, a piston, an elastic element, a rotating assembly, and a connecting rod. The cylinder has a cavity, one end of which is connected to a nozzle. The piston is confined within the cavity by reciprocating movement. The elastic element is connected to the piston, thereby driving the piston to push the air within the cavity and output high-pressure air through the nozzle. The rotating assembly includes a driving element and a turntable. The driving element drives the turntable to rotate. The turntable has a slide rail on its surface, with a first side and a second side parallel to each other. A first holding portion is located on the first side at one end of the slide rail, and a second holding portion is located on the second side at the other end. One end of the connecting rod is connected to one end of the piston. The other end of the connecting rod has a sliding portion, which, when the turntable rotates, is confined within the first holding portion, the slide rail, or the second holding portion. In practice, a first holding part and a third holding part can be provided on the first side of both ends of the slide rail, so that when the turntable rotates counterclockwise, the sliding part is limited to the first holding part, and when the turntable rotates clockwise, the sliding part is limited to the third holding part, which can also effectively control the movement stroke of the piston.

[0061] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, this is a preferred embodiment of the camera cleaning structure 1 of the present invention, mainly including a cylinder 2, a frame 3, a piston 4, an elastic element 5, a rotating assembly 6, and a connecting rod 7. The cylinder 2 is a pneumatic cylinder with a cylindrical cavity 21 inside. One end of the cavity 21 is connected to a nozzle 22, and the other end of the cavity 21 has a circular opening 23. The frame 3 has a receiving space 31 to accommodate the rotating assembly 6 and the connecting rod 7. One side of the frame 3 has a vertical side plate 32 with a circular through hole 33. The diameter of the through hole 33 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 23. The vertical side plate 32 is laterally locked to one end of the cylinder 2, thereby partially closing the opening 23 of the cavity 21 and allowing the through hole 33 to connect the cavity 21 and the receiving space 31. The piston 4 includes a piston head 41 and a piston rod 42 extending outward from one side of the piston head 41 in the same direction. A rubber ring 43 is fitted around the outer periphery of the piston head 41 so that when the piston head 41 moves linearly back and forth in the cavity 21, air leakage can be prevented, thereby generating sufficient air pressure. The piston rod 42 passes through the through hole 33 of the vertical side plate 32.

[0062] The elastic element 5 is a compression spring, which is sleeved on the piston rod 42, and the two ends of the elastic element 5 respectively press against one side of the piston head 41 and the plate surface of the upright side plate 32. The rotating assembly 6 includes a driving element 61 and a turntable 62. The driving element 61 includes a motor 611 and a worm gear 612 driven by the motor 611. The turntable 62 is bolted downward to the bottom plate 34 of the frame 3, so that the turntable 62 is positioned in the receiving space 31 of the frame 3 by rotating. The turntable 62 includes an upper and lower circular plate portion 621 and a worm gear 622. In practice, the circular plate portion 621 and the worm gear 622 can also be manufactured as a single piece.

[0063] The circular plate portion 621 has an elongated groove on its surface, extending from the axial direction of the piston 4. This elongated groove serves as a slide rail 63, which has a first side surface 631 and a second side surface 632 that are parallel to each other. An arc-shaped groove is located on the first side surface 631 at one end of the slide rail 63, serving as a first holding part 64. Another arc-shaped groove is located on the second side surface 632 at one end of the slide rail 63, serving as a third holding part 66. Additionally, an arc-shaped groove is located on the second side surface 632 at the other end of the slide rail 63, serving as a second holding part 65. Another arc-shaped groove is located on the first side surface 631 at the other end of the slide rail 63, serving as a fourth holding part 67. The worm gear 612 meshes with the worm wheel 622, so that when the motor 611 drives the worm gear 612 to rotate, it can drive the turntable 62 to rotate. The connecting rod 7 is a long flat plate. One end of the connecting rod 7 is pivotally connected to one end of the piston rod 42, and the other end of the connecting rod 7 is pivotally connected to a lower protrusion. The lower protrusion serves as a sliding part 71, which is confined within the slide rail 63.

[0064] In this way, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the motor 611 drives the worm gear 612 to rotate the turntable 62 counterclockwise, the sliding part 71 at the other end of the connecting rod 7 begins to move and is confined within the first clamping part 64; as Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, when the turntable 62 continues to rotate and the slide rail 63 rotates to the horizontal direction, the piston 4 moves to compress the elastic element 5; as Figures 6-8 As shown, when the turntable 62 temporarily stops rotating, the elastic force of the elastic element 5 allows the sliding part 71 to disengage from the first clamping part 64. After the piston 4 quickly returns to its original position, it pushes the air in the cavity 21 and then ejects the high-pressure air outward through the nozzle 22. When the turntable 62 continues to rotate counterclockwise again, the sliding part 71 at the other end of the connecting rod 7 is confined within the second clamping part 65, thereby effectively controlling the movement stroke of the piston 4 and generating high-pressure air once more.

[0065] When implementing, such as Figure 9 As shown, when the worm gear 612 drives the turntable 62 to rotate clockwise, the sliding part 71 of the connecting rod 7 is limited by the third holding part 66 or the fourth holding part 67 respectively. This can also achieve the purpose of synchronous linkage between the turntable 62, the connecting rod 7 and the piston 4, and intermittently generate secondary high-pressure air to clean the lens part / optical surface of the camera.

[0066] In summary, based on the above-disclosed content, the present invention, in its overall design, not only facilitates user disassembly and replacement, but also ensures that when the slide rail rotates to the horizontal direction, the connecting rod is pulled back by the elastic force of the spring. After the sliding part disengages from one latching part, it moves along the slide rail to another latching part, thus avoiding damage to components caused by impact during rapid reset and reducing abnormal noise. Furthermore, the symmetrical shape of each latching part allows for flexible rotation of the worm gear, enabling it to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise. If the worm gear suddenly rotates in another direction, it will not damage the drive mechanism. Moreover, the slide rail and worm gear can be manufactured as a single piece or stacked together in a locking manner. Compared to using gears and gear racks to pull the piston, this method effectively reduces gear thickness and simplifies the structure.

Claims

1. A camera cleaning structure, characterized in that, include: A cylinder block having a cavity, one end of which is connected to a nozzle; A piston, which is confined to the cavity by reciprocating movement; An elastic element is connected to the piston to drive the piston to push the air in the cavity and output high-pressure air outward through the nozzle. A rotating assembly includes a drive member and a turntable. The drive member is connected to the turntable to drive the turntable to rotate. The turntable has a slide rail on its surface. The slide rail has a first side surface and a second side surface that are parallel to each other. A first holding portion and a third holding portion are respectively provided on the first side surface and the second side surface at one end of the slide rail. A second holding portion and a fourth holding portion are respectively provided on the second side surface and the first side surface at the other end of the slide rail. A connecting rod has one end connected to one end of the piston; the other end of the connecting rod has a sliding portion, wherein when the turntable rotates counterclockwise, the sliding portion is confined within the first holding portion at one end of the slide rail, or within the second holding portion at the other end of the slide rail, to compress the elastic member; when the sliding portion disengages from the first holding portion or the second holding portion, the elastic member causes the sliding portion to move rapidly to the other end of the slide rail and be confined within the slide rail between the second holding portion and the fourth holding portion at the other end of the slide rail, or to move rapidly to one end of the slide rail and be confined within the first holding portion at one end of the slide rail. The sliding part is located within the slide rail between the second and third holding parts; when the turntable rotates clockwise, the sliding part is confined within the third holding part at one end of the slide rail, or within the fourth holding part at the other end of the slide rail, to compress the elastic member; when the sliding part is released from the constraint of the third or fourth holding part, the elastic member causes the sliding part to move rapidly to the other end of the slide rail and be confined within the slide rail between the second and fourth holding parts at the other end of the slide rail, or to move rapidly to one end of the slide rail and be confined within the slide rail between the first and third holding parts at one end of the slide rail.

2. A camera cleaning structure, characterized in that, include: A cylinder block having a cavity, one end of which is connected to a nozzle; A piston, which is confined to the cavity by reciprocating movement; An elastic element is connected to the piston to drive the piston to push the air in the cavity and output high-pressure air outward through the nozzle. A rotating assembly includes a driving member and a turntable. The driving member is connected to the turntable to drive the turntable to rotate. The turntable has a slide rail on its surface. The slide rail has a first side surface and a second side surface. A first clamping portion and a third clamping portion are respectively provided on the first side surface and the second side surface at one end of the slide rail. A second clamping portion and a fourth clamping portion are respectively provided on the second side surface and the first side surface at the other end of the slide rail. A connecting rod, one end of which is connected to one end of the piston; the other end of the connecting rod has a sliding portion, wherein when the turntable rotates counterclockwise, the sliding portion is limited to the first holding portion, the slide rail between the second holding portion and the fourth holding portion, the second holding portion, and the slide rail between the first holding portion and the third holding portion; and when the turntable rotates clockwise, the sliding portion is limited to the third holding portion, the slide rail between the second holding portion and the fourth holding portion, the fourth holding portion, and the slide rail between the first holding portion and the third holding portion.

3. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a frame having a receiving space for accommodating the rotating assembly and the connecting rod; the frame has a vertical side plate connected to one end of the cylinder, and the vertical side plate has a circular through hole for the piston to pass through.

4. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The other end of the cavity has a circular opening with a diameter larger than that of the through hole; the piston includes a piston head and a piston rod, the piston head reciprocates within the cavity, and the piston rod passes through the through hole.

5. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring for attaching to the piston rod, and its two ends press against the piston head and the vertical side plate, respectively.

6. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The slide rail is an elongated groove on the turntable surface, the first holding part is an arc-shaped groove on the first side, and the second holding part is an arc-shaped groove on the second side.

7. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The slide rail is an elongated groove on the turntable surface, the third fastening part is an arc-shaped groove on the second side, and the fourth fastening part is an arc-shaped groove on the first side.

8. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The driving component includes a motor and a worm gear driven by the motor. The turntable includes an upper and lower circular plate portion and a worm wheel. The worm gear meshes with the worm wheel to drive the turntable to rotate.

9. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The circular plate has the slide rail, the first fastening part, and the second fastening part on its surface.

10. The camera cleaning structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to one end of the piston, and the sliding part of the connecting rod is a protruding post.

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