Camera arm for cleaning device of camera lens with air channel system

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera arm for a cleaning device for a camera lens having an air passage system, comprising a recess for receiving a camera, an external camera lens being part of or projecting from a recess-surrounding outer surface of the camera arm, the camera arm comprising a passive camera cleaning member, the air inlet faces the driving direction of the vehicle, the air outlet faces a camera lens when the camera lens of the camera is contained in the concave part, the air guiding channel is connected with the air inlet and the air outlet to guide air flow when the vehicle is driven, and the air outlet enables the air flow to flow out through the outer surface around the concave part. The flow direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the camera arm is shaped to provide a suction effect on the air flow in the opposite direction of the direction of travel when the vehicle is traveling, and a clean air flow generated by interference of the air flow flowing out of the air outlet and the provided suction effect is directed to the camera lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure relates to a camera arm suitable for an external camera arm system, which is to be installed on the outside of a vehicle. Specifically, the camera arm includes a passive camera cleaning component, which is composed of an air inlet facing the direction of vehicle travel, an air outlet suitable for facing the camera lens of the camera arm, and an air guide channel connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, and is used to provide interference with the air flow flowing out of the air outlet when the vehicle is traveling to generate a clean air flow and generate a suction effect toward the camera lens. The disclosure also relates to a camera arm system including the camera arm and a vehicle including the camera arm system. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles include cameras for observing driving conditions around the vehicle. These cameras are exposed to the environmental conditions surrounding the vehicle and can become dirty over time. Dirt and water must therefore be cleaned from the cameras regularly to ensure reliable operation. Otherwise, driving safety could be compromised. In addition to active cleaning components, passive cleaning measures are also used to clean these cameras. Since passive components do not require moving parts or actuators, passive cleaning measures require less component effort and therefore represent a cheaper solution.

[0003] Document DE102019004778 discloses a camera system for a motor with a camera housing and a camera lens, wherein the camera housing has at least one air flow channel with an air inlet for receiving an air flow and an air outlet for discharging the air flow, so as to blow air toward the camera lens and / or blow away impurities in its field of view. However, during driving, there is a continuous air flow around the vehicle that depends on the speed. This driving causes the air flow to leave the air outlet and be deflected away from the camera lens that has been cleaned by the air flow passing through the outer camera system. As a result, the camera lens is not cleaned in a controlled and reliable manner, resulting in water drop impurities remaining on the camera lens, which in turn reduces driving safety.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a passive cleaning program that can reliably clean the camera lens even when the camera is in motion. Summary of the invention

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a passive cleaning program that enables reliable cleaning of the camera lens even while driving.

[0006] The object is achieved by a camera arm suitable for an external camera arm system, which is mounted to the outside of a vehicle, the camera arm comprising a recess arranged to accommodate a camera with an external camera lens, the external camera lens being part of or protruding from an outer surface surrounding the recess of the camera arm, wherein the camera arm comprises a passive camera cleaning component, which component is composed of an air inlet facing the direction of travel of the vehicle when the camera arm is mounted on the vehicle, an air outlet suitable for facing the camera lens of the camera when the camera lens is accommodated in the recess, and an air guide channel connecting the air inlet and the air outlet to guide an air flow caused by air flow when the vehicle is traveling, the air outlet being suitable for causing the air flow to flow out through the outer surface surrounding the recess in a flow direction, wherein the main direction component of the flow direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the camera arm is shaped to provide a suction effect on the air flow in the opposite direction of the travel direction when the vehicle is traveling, and when the vehicle is traveling, a clean air flow generated by the interference of the air flow flowing out of the air outlet and the provided suction effect is directed to the camera lens of the camera accommodated in the recess.

[0007] The camera arm may have any suitable shape to carry the camera and be attachable to the vehicle. The camera arm may be attached to the side of the vehicle. The camera arm may be generally a hollow body with a generally closed outer surface. The camera arm may be made of any suitable material. The material may be plastic, with other components made of any other or the same material inside.

[0008] The term "recess" refers to a cavity in a camera arm having a hole leading to the outside, in which a camera can be appropriately placed so as to be able to record images from the camera arm or the vehicle environment. The recess is surrounded by the outer surface of the camera arm, wherein the outer surface near the recess is referred to as the recess surrounding outer surface. The camera can be placed in the recess in such a way that the outer camera lens makes the recess close to the outside when in contact with the recess surrounding outer surface, thereby forming a continuous surface in combination with the recess surrounding outer surface. In other embodiments, the camera and thus the camera lens can protrude from the recess surrounding outer surface.

[0009] The term "camera" refers to any unit capable of optically recording a scene, the unit comprising an optical lens as an entrance aperture for electromagnetic radiation from the camera environment and an optical path inside the camera suitable for directing the received electromagnetic radiation to a suitable sensor, where the electromagnetic radiation is converted into an electronic signal or a picture, wherein the characteristics of the optical lens, the optical path and the sensor determine the resolution of the recorded scene that can be displayed to the driver of the vehicle on the monitoring unit. The electromagnetic radiation received by the camera unit and converted via the sensor may be radiation of infrared, visible and / or ultraviolet wavelengths.

[0010] A passive camera cleaning component is a component of a camera arm in which a certain air flow can be directed to a target, in this case the camera lens. The air flow is generated without any electrical components (such as a pump or fan) and only by using a channel through the camera arm, the air flow flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet can have any suitable shape, wherein the air outlet can act as a nozzle to direct the air flow to the target. The air flow is caused by the air resistance during the vehicle's travel, because the vehicle's travel during the travel generates an air flow around the vehicle. Here, this air flow also penetrates the camera arm through the air guide channel. The higher the travel speed, the faster the air flow speed. However, the air flow speed leaving the air outlet also depends on the shape and size of the air guide channel, as well as the position of the passive camera cleaning component in the camera arm and its alignment relative to the travel direction. The travel direction refers to the direction in which the vehicle is moving. If the air inlet area of ​​the air inlet of the passive camera cleaning component is aligned approximately perpendicular to the travel direction, the air flow enters the passive camera cleaning component at a maximum speed and generates an air flow through the air guide channel at a maximum speed. If the vehicle is stopped, there will be no air flow or only negligible air flow caused by the ambient wind through the air guiding channel. The shape and position of the air outlet are such that the air flow leaves the passive camera cleaning component in a direction suitable for cleaning the camera lens. The passive camera cleaning component may be made of plastic and may include one or more bends between the air inlet and the air outlet.

[0011] The flow direction of the air flow leaving the air outlet is a vector consisting of a component of the travel direction perpendicular to the vehicle's travel direction and a component of the travel direction parallel to the back direction of the vehicle. Here, the main direction component is perpendicular to the vehicle's travel direction. This means that the angle between the air flow direction at the air outlet and the direction perpendicular to the travel direction (the direction pointing to the side of the vehicle to which the camera arm is installed) is less than 45 degrees. However, the camera arm is a huge aerodynamic drag, and one side of it is opposite to the air flow caused by the vehicle speed, thereby generating a suction effect on the air on the side opposite to the air flow. After the air flow leaves the air outlet, the suction effect acts on the air flow, thereby pressing the air flow more in the travel direction opposite to the travel direction (rearward direction). The resulting air flow direction refers to the direction of the clean air flow, which is directed toward the lens. This clean air flow is caused by the interference of the air flow having the air flow direction at the air outlet and the suction effect provided. In order to make the clean air flow pass the camera lens in the driving state, the original direction of the air flow when it leaves the air outlet is not disturbed by the driving airflow and is directed to the area of ​​the outer surface around the recess between the camera lens and the front part of the camera arm, wherein the front part of the camera arm faces the driving direction. The airflow flowing through the camera arm and the suction effect generated thereby press the clean air flow toward the camera lens.

[0012] The camera arm can be mounted to the exterior of the vehicle, for example to the left and / or right side of the vehicle, for use as a rear-view observation device. The term "vehicle" refers to any vehicle that provides the driver with at least a partial rear view of traffic with the aid of an additional visual aid, here a camera monitoring system. The vehicle can be a car, truck, motorcycle, etc.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the camera arm can reliably clean the camera lens even when driving without further electrical components. By providing an air flow channel of suitable shape, reliable cleaning can be maintained and it can therefore always be used without maintenance intervals. In addition, the camera arm according to the present disclosure does not produce a whistling sound during driving.

[0014] In one embodiment, the air flow entering the air guide channel via the air inlet has a first air flow direction, wherein the air guide channel includes a bend with a curvature of 45 degrees or more, thereby redirecting the air flow in the air guide channel from the first air flow direction to a second air flow direction, and the air flow flows out of the air outlet in the second air flow direction. In other embodiments, the air guide channel includes a bend with a curvature of 60 degrees or more.

[0015] In another embodiment, the air guiding channel includes one or more thin sheets arranged along the air flow in the air guiding channel, thereby dividing the air flow into two or more sub-air flows. The number of thin sheets applied can depend on the size of the air guiding channel perpendicular to the air flow direction. There can be two thin sheets inside the housing of the air guiding channel. The housing also guides the air flow through the air guiding channel. One or more thin sheets can divide the air inlet into separate sub-openings. The thin sheets help to optimize the air flow. The size of the sub-openings relative to each other adjusts the amount of air to enter the air guiding channel. The inlet area of ​​the sub-openings can increase from the sub-opening at the longest distance from the vehicle side of the camera arm to the sub-opening arranged at the closest distance to the vehicle side of the camera arm.

[0016] In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air guiding channel perpendicular to the air flow decreases from the air inlet to the air outlet. The reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the air guiding channel results in a 50% faster acceleration of the air flow at the air outlet compared to the air flow velocity at the air inlet.

[0017] In another embodiment, the air inlet has a generally circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhomboid, cross, annular, arched and / or rectangular shape, wherein preferably the horizontal width of the air inlet is greater than its vertical width. A shape that is preferably rectangular, with a larger horizontal length and a smaller vertical length, can provide a larger opening while still minimizing wind resistance of the camera arm. The term "horizontal" refers to a direction parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is located. The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle is located.

[0018] In another embodiment, the air outlet is covered by an air guide element to further shape the air flow to the camera lens. The air guide element can be used to fine tune the air flow outflow direction and the air flow speed. This allows the same air guide channel design to be applied to different car versions and different arm versions. The air guide element can be made of plastic.

[0019] In another embodiment, the air guiding element is a grille element comprising one or more ribs extending towards the recess. At least one of the one or more ribs may taper towards the recess. The ribs allow metering of the air flow and a specific flow curve to be achieved. The length of the ribs in the direction towards the recess depends on the shape of the outer surface of the camera arm around the recess. The term "grille" refers to a cover covering an opening in the body of a vehicle that allows air to enter and exit.

[0020] In another embodiment, the air guiding element is an air tunnel adapted to be shaped to guide the air flow to the camera lens, in which air tunnel the air flow is lifted from the outer surface around the recess. The air tunnel compensates for the indirect effect of the main air flow around the arm, even if the air flow is not directed in favor of the camera by changing its local air flow. The air tunnel can be applied if the camera lens protrudes from the outer surface around the recess.

[0021] In another embodiment, the air guiding element is detachably attached to the air outlet. The attachment may be performed by clamping and / or screwing. Since the air flow direction can be fine-tuned by the attachable air guiding element, the attachable air guiding element allows the same passive camera cleaning component to be used for different camera arms, different vehicles, different driving speeds and different cameras with different lens shapes. This reduces production costs because only one small component needs to be adapted to different use cases, rather than different passive camera cleaning components.

[0022] In another embodiment, the air outlet has a generally circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhomboid, cross, annular, arched, and / or rectangular shape, wherein the horizontal width of the air outlet is greater than the vertical width of the generally circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhomboid, cross, annular, arched, and / or rectangular shape. Thus, the air flow exiting the passive camera cleaning component covers a large area of ​​the outer surface around the recess so as to completely cover and thereby clean the flat lens. The term "horizontal" refers to a direction parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is located. The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle is located.

[0023] In another embodiment, an imaginary reference line extends vertically from the horizontal width of the rectangular shape of the air outlet to the center of the camera lens, wherein the geometric center of the preferably substantially circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhomboid, cross, ring, arch and / or rectangular shape of the air outlet is offset in the direction of travel by a distance starting from the imaginary reference line and ending at the geometric center, which is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the horizontal width. When traveling at a vehicle speed of 80 km / h (a common speed for trucks), a camera arm with an air outlet positioned according to the present specification can provide an optimal clean air flow to the camera lens.

[0024] In another embodiment, a wing-shaped guide is arranged near the outer surface around the recess, which is appropriately shaped to at least partially block the outer surface around the recess from direct contact with the airflow caused by the moving vehicle around at least a portion of the camera arm, and / or wherein the wing-shaped guide is in the form of a wall, preferably suitable for changing the direction of the airflow and reducing the pressure on the camera lens. Here, the shape of the wing-shaped guide can be matched and synchronized with the air outlet of the passive camera cleaning component, or it can be matched to not affect the field of view of the camera. The wing-shaped guide (especially the wing-shaped guide in the form of a roughly wall-shaped embodiment) can act as a vacuum generator in the direction of the airflow toward the recess of the camera arm based on its aerodynamic effect. The vacuum generated deflects the airflow from the dust or raindrops from the camera lens. The low pressure acting is generated by the airflow flowing around. According to the Bernoulli law of conservation of energy, this effect is generally used for the lifting effect on the wings of aircraft. The higher airflow speed caused by the wing-shaped guide causes the force of lifting dust or raindrops from the camera lens.

[0025] In another embodiment, the wing-shaped guide is suitably shaped to provide an air cushion around the air outlet and the camera lens, thereby lifting the airflow from the outer surface around the recess. If there is an air cushion between the camera arm and the airflow around the camera arm, the camera lens will not have dust or raindrops propagated with the surrounding airflow. The air cushion is usually stable above the surface around the recess at flow rates below 8m / s, typically below 4m / s.

[0026] In another embodiment, the wing-shaped guide has a first surface pointing towards the recess and a second surface pointing in the opposite direction, wherein the wing-shaped guide has a sawtooth shape, the second surface is a slowly rising surface and the first surface is a steeply inclined surface with a sawtooth shape. This shape provides a reliable air cushion behind the wing-shaped guide, thus covering the camera lens. As the travel speed "v" increases, the suction effect (drag coefficient) changes. Most vehicles are more likely to travel long distances at a certain travel speed limit. This speed can be taken into account in the simulation and the geometry of the wing-shaped guide can be analyzed based on the fact that the surface has a prerequisite in the travel direction. It can be applied in any direction perpendicular to the travel direction - upwards / downwards / laterally. The shape is adapted to the vehicle shape and to the selected travel speed. When the vehicle is stopped, the wing-shaped guide has no effect.

[0027] In another embodiment, the first surface protrudes from the surface surrounding the recess, and its height is optionally at least twice the height of the camera lens, wherein the camera lens protrudes from the surface surrounding the recess by the height of the camera lens. However, the height of the first surface is adjusted so as not to affect the field of view of the camera. The allowed absolute height of the first surface also depends on the height of the camera lens protruding from the surface surrounding the recess and the size of the camera lens.

[0028] In another embodiment, the first surface protrudes vertically from the surrounding surface of the recess. However, the first surface is not allowed to affect the field of view of the camera and is matched and synchronized with the air outlet of the passive camera cleaning component.

[0029] In another embodiment, the wing-shaped guide partially surrounds the recess and / or the camera lens. The partially surrounding wing-shaped guide enables a precisely shaped lifting effect to remove dust or raindrops from the camera and further prevents dust or raindrops from being part of the surrounding airflow reaching the camera lens during vehicle travel.

[0030] In another embodiment, a seal is arranged between the camera and / or the camera lens and the outer surface around the recess of the camera arm, which seal covers the gap between the camera and / or the camera lens and the outer surface around the recess. Due to the existence of the tolerance chain, there is always a gap between the camera and the camera arm. A gap is required between the camera / camera lens and the lower cover of the camera arm to avoid additional stress in the housing. Additional stress will have a negative impact on the joint behavior (especially the fitting behavior) at the overall level of the camera arm system. Since a part of the camera arm is accommodated around the camera / camera lens and will cover the camera lens, water leaks out of the camera arm through the gap between the camera / camera lens and the outer surface around the recess. The seal (or sealant) simultaneously provides freedom of movement and gap parallel to the outer surface around the recess, and eliminates water leakage from the inside of the camera arm to the outside of the camera arm to keep the camera lens free of water drops. The seal allows the camera to be installed in the recess, which only requires the camera and / or camera lens to be pushed through the seal.

[0031] The seal may be provided by an inserted resilient element and / or overmolding of a portion of the camera and / or the lower cover of the camera arm. If a grommet is used around the camera lens, it may be reinforced by an additional sealing lip. The additional sealing lip may be pre-bent towards the lower cover of the camera arm (without generating radial forces on the camera lens) to provide a more robust seal.

[0032] In another embodiment, the seal is configured as a deformable lip. This makes it easy to fill the gap and install the camera into the recess inside the camera arm. The deformable lip is finally formed during the installation of the camera.

[0033] In another embodiment, the seal is advantageously applied to the outer surface around the recess by a multi-material molding technique or by detachably attaching the seal as a separate component, preferably to the outer surface around the recess. Multi-material injection molding (MMM) is a process of molding two or more different materials into one plastic part at once to create a single structural component (here, a camera arm or a portion of a camera arm) using different local materials. If two different materials are involved, the technique is also called 2K molding.

[0034] In another embodiment, the seal is applied or attached to the outer surface around the recess, or to the side of the camera and / or camera lens, wherein the side faces the outer surface around the recess. The gap between the camera / camera lens and the outer surface around the recess should be closed. This can be achieved by a seal connected to the outer surface around the recess or to the camera and / or camera lens, wherein the sealing lip contacts the opposite surface, the camera and / or camera lens or the outer surface around the recess, depending on the component to which the seal is to be fixed.

[0035] In another embodiment, the seal is made of a material suitable for avoiding fit between the camera or camera lens and the outer surface around the recess. In addition, the geometric design of the seal can be suitable for avoiding fit. The term "fit" means that the seal is bonded to the other side, which hinders or even prevents the movement of the camera in the xyz direction. As a design prerequisite for image stabilization, the sealing of the housing and the clearance requirements between the housing and the camera provide a WA and NA camera fit challenge that needs to be solved. The solution provided provides the camera with freedom of movement to avoid fit from an angle and provides a sealing solution between the housing and the camera to block potential water drops.

[0036] The present disclosure also relates to a camera arm system, which includes a camera arm according to the present disclosure and a camera with an external lens, wherein the external lens of the camera is placed in a recess of the camera arm for accommodating the camera, wherein the external lens is part of the camera surrounding outer surface of the camera arm or protrudes from the camera surrounding outer surface.

[0037] The disclosure also relates to a vehicle including one or more camera arm systems according to the disclosure.

[0038] The above embodiments may be combined with each other as needed by those skilled in the art within the teaching scope of the present disclosure, and may also be combined with each other without departing from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the following, the disclosure and its embodiments are further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0040] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A perspective view of one embodiment of a camera arm system with a camera and a passive camera cleaning component according to the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 1c Passive camera cleaning components are shown;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows simulation results of air flow over a camera lens and through a passive lens according to the present disclosure, wherein Figure 2ais a perspective view, and Figure 2b and Figure 2c is a top view toward a camera arm with a camera lens;

[0042] Figure 3a A perspective view of an embodiment of a passive camera cleaning component according to the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 3b and Figure 3c shows perspective views of embodiments of camera arm systems according to the present disclosure, each of which includes a grille element as an air directing element;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a camera arm system according to the present disclosure, including an air tunnel as an air guiding element, wherein Figure 4a is a perspective view, and Figure 4b It is a side view;

[0044] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a camera arm system with an air outlet according to the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 6 a shows a top view of a camera arm including a wing-shaped guide near a camera lens according to the present disclosure, and Figure 6 b and Figure 6 c is Figure 6 a is a schematic side view of a camera arm;

[0046] Figure 7 a shows Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the camera arm at the indicated airflow speeds, and Figure 7 b shows a perspective view of the camera arm with the camera lens and the air outlet;

[0047] Figure 8 a and Figure 8 b shows two perspective views of a camera arm system including a wing-shaped guide partially surrounding a camera lens according to the present disclosure;

[0048] Fig. 9 A camera arm system of the present disclosure is shown, wherein Fig. 9 a without seal, and Fig. 9 b having a seal covering the gap between the camera and the outer surface around the recess;

[0049] Fig.10 A camera arm system with a seal covering the gap between the camera and the surrounding outer surface of the recess according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein Fig.10 a is a perspective view, and Fig.10 b is a side view; and

[0050] Fig.11 a shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to the present disclosure including a camera arm system according to the present disclosure, and Fig.11 b shows such a vehicle with wing-shaped guides, where the airflow speed is indicated by color. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A perspective view of one embodiment of a camera arm system 50 with a camera 60 and a passive camera cleaning component 3 according to the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 1c is a passive camera cleaning component 3 according to the present disclosure. The camera arm system 50 will be mounted to the outside of the vehicle 100 (see Fig.11 ). The camera arm 1 of the camera arm system 50 comprises a recess 2, wherein a camera 60 with an external camera lens 61 is attached to the recess 2. The lens 61 is part of an outer surface 21 surrounding the recess of the camera arm 1, wherein the camera arm 1 comprises a passive camera cleaning component 3, which is constituted by an air inlet 31 facing the driving direction DD of the vehicle 100 when it is mounted on the vehicle 100, an air outlet 32 ​​adapted to face the camera lens 61 of the camera 60 laterally, and an air guide channel 33 connecting the air inlet and the air outlet to guide an air flow AF caused by the air flow AS when the vehicle 100 is driven. The passive camera cleaning component 3 is shown in more detail in Figure 1b The air guide channel 33 includes two fins 35, which are arranged in the air guide channel 33 along the air flow AF and divide the air flow AF into separate sub-air flows from the air inlet 31 to the air outlet 32. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide channel 33 perpendicular to the air flow AF decreases from the air inlet 31 to the air outlet 32.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing simulation results of a passive camera cleaning component 3 in a camera arm 1 flowing over a camera lens 61 according to the present disclosure, wherein Figure 2a is a perspective view, and Figure 2b and Figure 2cis a top view onto the camera arm 1 with the camera lens 61. The air flow AF and the air flow AS around the camera arm 1 are indicated by colored lines, where the colors indicate the speed of the air flow. Blue indicates a speed of 4-16 m / s, green indicates a speed of 16–28 m / s, and yellow indicates a speed of 28–32 m / s. The hardware design of the camera arm 1 is shown in FIG1 . The air flow AF entering the air guide channel 33 via the air inlet 31 has a first air flow direction AFD1, wherein the air guide channel 33 includes a curved portion 34 with a curvature greater than 90 degrees, redirecting the air flow AF in the air guide channel 33 from the first air flow direction AFD1 to a second air flow direction AFD2, and the air flow AF leaves the air outlet 32 ​​in the second air flow direction AFD2. The air outlet 32 ​​is suitable for allowing the air flow AF to flow out through the outer surface 21 around the recess along a flow direction FD, and the main direction component FD1 of the flow direction FD is perpendicular to the driving direction DD of the vehicle 100. The camera arm 1 is appropriately shaped to provide an additional suction effect SE to the air flow AF in a direction opposite to the driving direction DD when the vehicle 100 is traveling. The resulting clean air flow CF is generated by the interference of the air flow AF flowing out of the air outlet 32 ​​with the provided suction effect SE, and is directed toward the camera lens 61 of the camera 60 when the vehicle 100 is traveling. The air flow AS that does not enter the air inlet flows around the camera arm 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 2a and 2b As shown by the top line. The two thin sheets 35 divide the air inlet 31 into three separate sub-openings 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3, and then divide the air flow AF into three separate sub-air flows AF1, AF2, and AF3 from the air inlet 31 to the air outlet 32. In this embodiment, the sub-openings 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3 have an air inlet area indicated by arrows, which increases from the sub-opening 31-1 with the longest distance from the vehicle side of the camera arm 1 to the middle sub-opening 31-2, and then decreases to the sub-opening 31-3 arranged at the closest distance to the vehicle side of the camera arm 1. In order to shape the air flow, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide channel 33 perpendicular to the air flow AF decreases from the air inlet 31 to the air outlet 32. The air flow velocity at the air outlet 32 ​​is higher than the air flow velocity at the air inlet, see Figure 2a and 2b Color coding in .

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a passive camera cleaning component 3 and a camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure, wherein Figure 3a A perspective view of an embodiment of a passive camera cleaning component 3 is shown, and Figure 3b and Figure 3c1 shows perspective views of embodiments of camera arm systems 50, and all of these embodiments include a grille element 41 as an air guide element 4 to further shape the air flow toward the camera lens 61. The grille element 41 includes two ribs 41r extending toward the recess 2, wherein the ribs 41r taper toward the recess 2. The grille element 41 is detachably attached to the air outlet 32 ​​by clamping. In other embodiments, the attachment may be performed in a different manner, for example by screwing. Figure 3b As shown, the air inlet 32 ​​as the air inlet area has a rectangular shape, wherein the horizontal width 31 - h of the air inlet is greater than the vertical width 31 - v thereof.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of a camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure, including an air tunnel 42 as an air guiding element 4 , wherein Figure 4a is a perspective view, and Figure 4b 4 is a side view. The shape of the air tunnel 42 is suitable for directing the air flow AF to the camera lens 61, wherein the air flow AF is lifted from the recessed surrounding outer surface 21. The air tunnel 42 is detachably attached to the air outlet 32 ​​by clamping. In other embodiments, the attachment can be performed in a different manner, such as by screwing.

[0055] Figure 5 A perspective view of an embodiment of a camera arm system 50 with an air outlet according to the present disclosure is shown. Here, the air outlet 32 ​​has an air outlet area of ​​a rectangular shape, wherein a horizontal width 32-h of the air outlet 32 ​​is greater than a horizontal width 32-v of the air outlet area 32. An imaginary reference line 36 extends in a vertical direction from the horizontal width 32-h of the air outlet area 32 to a center 62 of a camera lens 61. A geometric center 37 of the rectangular shape of the air outlet 32 ​​is offset in the driving direction DD along the horizontal width 32-h of the rectangular shape of the air outlet 32 ​​by a distance 38, which starts from the imaginary reference line 36 and ends at the geometric center 37, and is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the horizontal width 32-h. The term "imaginary" indicates that the reference line 36 is not a hardware line in reality, but is only considered when adjusting the position of the air outlet 32.

[0056] Figure 6 a shows a top view of a camera arm according to the present disclosure, including a wing-shaped guide near the camera lens, and Figure 6 b and Figure 6 c is Figure 6 a Schematic side view of the camera arm shown. Figure 7 a shows Figure 6 Schematic side view of the camera arm at the indicated airflow speeds, and Figure 7 b shows a perspective view of the camera arm with the camera lens and air outlet. Figure 8 a and Figure 8 b shows two perspective views of a camera arm system according to the present disclosure, including a wing-shaped guide that partially surrounds a camera lens. The wing-shaped guide 5 is arranged close to the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess, and is appropriately shaped to block the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess from direct contact with the airflow AS around the camera arm 1 caused by the moving vehicle 100. The wing-shaped guide 5 is appropriately shaped to provide an air cushion AC around the air outlet 32 ​​and the camera lens 61, thereby lifting the airflow AS from the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. The wing-shaped guide 5 has a first surface 5a pointing to the recess 2 and a second surface 5b pointing in the opposite direction, wherein the wing-shaped guide 5 has a sawtooth shape, the second surface 5b is a slowly rising surface, and the first surface 5a is a steeply inclined surface of the sawtooth shape. The first surface 5a protrudes from the recess surrounding surface 21 by a height 5h, which is at least twice the height 61h of the camera lens 61, and the camera lens 61 protrudes from the recess surrounding surface 21 by a height 61h. The first surface 5a protrudes from the recess surrounding surface 21 in the vertical direction. exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the , air flow velocity is indicated by a color code that converts color into velocity. Figure 8 a and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 2 b , the wing-shaped guide 5 may partially surround the recess 2 and / or the camera lens 21. During driving of the vehicle 100, the shape of the wing-shaped guide 5 may be adjusted to the most likely traveling speed value of the vehicle 100.

[0057] Fig. 9 A camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure is shown, wherein Fig. 9 a without seal 7, and Fig. 9 b. The sealing member 7 covers the gap between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 around the recess. Fig. 9 In a, a complete camera arm 1 with a camera 60 is shown, wherein a portion of the figure shows the outer surface 21 around the recess, and water drops WD are present in the outer area of ​​the camera lens 61, which are highlighted with white circles. Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the seal 7 is present at the edge of the outer surface surrounding the recess facing the recess, and is therefore arranged between the camera 60 and the outer surface surrounding the recess 21 of the camera arm 1. When the camera 60 is mounted on the recess 2 along the camera mounting direction MD, the seal 7 covers the gap between the camera 60 and the outer surface surrounding the recess 21 (not shown in detail here). The seal 7 is provided as a deformable lip-shaped member, which is slightly bent outward by the pressure applied by the camera 60 during the installation process, so that the camera 60 can be pushed through the seal 7, and the seal 7 still fits tightly against the camera body to securely close the gap. Fig. 9As shown in the lower part of b, the seal 7 can be applied to the outer surface 21 around the recess by a multi-material molding technology 7-2K (here 2K molding technology is used). In an alternative arrangement (not shown here), the seal 7 can be applied or attached to the side 63 of the camera 60 and / or the camera lens 61, wherein the side faces the outer surface 21 around the recess. In both cases, the seal 7 can be detachably attached to the outer surface 21 around the recess or attached to the side 63 of the camera 60 or the camera lens 61 as a separate component 7-SC. Preferably, the seal 7 is made of a material suitable for avoiding adhesion between the camera 60 or the camera lens 61 and the outer surface 21 around the recess. In addition, the geometric design of the seal 7 can be adjusted to avoid adhesion. Furthermore, in addition to the sealing function of blocking water droplets, a suitable seal 7 also provides the camera 60 with freedom of movement to avoid adhesion from an angle.

[0058] Fig.10 Also shown is a camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure, wherein a seal 7 covers the gap between the camera 60 and the surrounding outer surface 21 of the recess, where Fig.10 a is a perspective view, and Fig.10 b is a side view. For more information, see Fig. 9 b.

[0059] Fig.11 (a) shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 according to the present disclosure, including a camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure, which includes a camera arm 1 and a camera 60, the camera 60 having an external lens 61 placed in a recess 2 of the camera arm 1 for accommodating the camera 60, wherein the external lens 61 is part of or protrudes from the camera surrounding outer surface 21 of the camera arm 1, and Fig.11 b is such a vehicle 100 with wing-shaped guides 5, where the airflow speed is indicated by color (see color code for converting color to speed). Certain features of the vehicle implemented in the air flow create low pressure areas indicated by the blue areas. This is known as a drag or suction effect, for example behind a truck and behind a rearview mirror or camera arm. By implementing such features (such as wing-shaped guides) near the camera lens, under certain more common speed conditions of the vehicle, the feature creates a guided low pressure area on the camera lens. The high-speed airflow (red) is guided away from this area, causing a low pressure on the camera lens surface. In this way, dust and impurities are not allowed to remain on the camera lens surface, but are blown away from the surface by the air flow under similar conditions.

[0060] Reference numerals

[0061] 1 Camera arm according to the present disclosure

[0062] 2 concavity

[0063] 21 Outer surface around the concave part

[0064] 3 Passive Camera Cleaning Parts

[0065] 31 Air intake facing the direction of vehicle travel

[0066] 31-1…31-3 Air inlet sub-opening

[0067] 31-h Horizontal width of air inlet

[0068] 31-v Vertical width of air inlet

[0069] 32 Suitable for air outlet of camera lens facing the camera

[0070] 32-h Horizontal width of air outlet

[0071] 32-v Vertical width of air outlet

[0072] 33 Air guide channel connecting the air inlet and the air outlet

[0073] 34 Curved section of air guide channel

[0074] 35 Lamellae in air guide channel

[0075] 36 Baseline

[0076] 37 Geometric center of the outlet area

[0077] 38 Distance from the reference line to the geometric center

[0078] 4 Air guide elements

[0079] 41 Grille Elements

[0080] 41r Ribs of grille element

[0081] 42 Air Tunnel

[0082] 5 Wing guide

[0083] 5a The wing-shaped guide is directed toward the first surface of the recess

[0084] 5b The second surface of the wing-shaped guide member points to the predetermined travel direction

[0085] 5h Height of surface 5a

[0086] 7 Seals

[0087] 7-2K Sealing with 2K technology

[0088] 7-SC Seal installed as a separate component

[0089] 50 Camera Arm System

[0090] 60 cameras

[0091] 61 External lens of the camera

[0092] 61h Height of the camera lens relative to the outer surface around the recess

[0093] 62 Center of camera lens

[0094] 63 Side view of camera and / or camera lens

[0095] 100 Vehicles

[0096] AC Air Cushion

[0097] AF Air Flow

[0098] AF1...AF3 Sub-air flow

[0099] AFD1 First air flow direction

[0100] AFD2 Second air flow direction

[0101] AS Airflow caused by moving vehicles

[0102] CF Clean Air Flow

[0103] DD Driving Route

[0104] FD Flow direction of air out of the outlet

[0105] FD1 principal direction component

[0106] FD2 Minor direction component

[0107] MD Camera Installation Direction

[0108] SE Suction Effect

[0109] WD Water Drop

Claims

1. A camera arm (1) of an external camera arm system (50) suitable for being mounted on the outside of a vehicle (100), the camera arm comprising a recess (2) for accommodating a camera (60) with an external camera lens (61), the external camera lens (61) being part of or protruding from an outer surface (21) surrounding the recess of the camera arm (1), wherein the camera arm (1) comprises a passive camera cleaning component (3), the passive camera cleaning component comprising an air inlet (31) facing the driving direction (DD) of the vehicle (100) when the camera arm (100) is mounted on the vehicle (100), an air outlet (32) suitable for facing the camera lens (61) of the camera (60) when the camera lens (61) of the camera (60) is accommodated in the recess (2), and a connecting member (31) connecting the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32). (32) is formed by an air guide channel (33) for guiding an air flow (AF) caused by an air flow (AS) when the vehicle (100) is running, the air outlet (32) is suitable for allowing the air flow (AF) to flow out through the outer surface (21) around the recess in a flow direction (FD), and the main direction component (FD1) of the flow direction (FD) is approximately perpendicular to the driving direction (DD) of the vehicle (100), wherein the camera arm (1) is appropriately formed to provide a suction effect (SE) on the air flow (AF) in the opposite direction of the driving direction (DD) when the vehicle (100) is running, and the clean air flow (CF) generated by the interference of the air flow (AF) flowing out of the air outlet (32) and the provided suction effect (SE) when the vehicle (100) is running is directed to the camera lens (61) of the camera (60) accommodated in the recess (2).

2. The camera arm (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air flow (AF) entering the air guide channel (33) via the air inlet (31) has a first air flow direction (AFD1), and the air guide channel (33) includes a curved portion (34) with a curvature of 45 degrees or more, which redirects the air flow (AF) in the air guide channel (33) from the first air flow direction (AFD1) to a second air flow direction (AFD2), and the air flow (AF) flows out from the air outlet (32) in the second air flow direction (AFD2).

3. The camera arm (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air guide channel (33) comprises one or more thin plates (35) arranged along the air flow (AF) in the air guide channel (33), which divide the air flow (AF) into two or more sub-air flows (AF1, AF2, AF3).

4. The camera arm (1) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more lamellae (35) divide the air inlet (31) into separate sub-openings (31-1, 31-2, 31-3).

5. The camera arm (1) according to claim 4, wherein the air inlet areas of the sub-openings (31-1, 31-2, 31-3) increase from the sub-opening (31-1) that is the longest distance from the vehicle side of the camera arm (1) to the sub-opening (31-3) that is the closest distance to the vehicle side of the camera arm (1).

6. The camera arm (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide channel (33) perpendicular to the air flow (AF) decreases from the air inlet (31) to the air outlet (32).

7. A camera arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air inlet (32) has a shape that is generally circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhombus, cross, ring, arch and / or rectangular, wherein the horizontal width (31-h) of the air inlet is preferably greater than its vertical width (31-v).

8. The camera arm (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air outlet (32) is covered by an air guiding element (4) to further shape the air flow towards the camera lens (61).

9. The camera arm (1) according to claim 8, wherein the air guiding element (4) is a grille element (41) comprising one or more ribs (41r) extending towards the recess (2).

10. The camera arm (1) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more ribs (41r) tapers towards the recess (2).

11. A camera arm (1) according to claim 8, wherein the air guiding element (4) is an air tunnel (42) suitable for being shaped to guide an air flow (AF) to the camera lens (61), wherein the air flow (AF) is raised from the outer surface (21) around the recess.

12. The camera arm (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the air guiding element (4) is detachably attached to the air outlet (32).

13. The camera arm (1) according to claim 12, wherein the air guiding element (4) can be attached to the air outlet (32) by clamping and / or screwing.

14. A camera arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air outlet (32) has a shape that is roughly circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhombus, cross, annular, arched and / or rectangular, wherein the horizontal width (32-h) of the air outlet (32) is greater than the vertical width (32-v) of the shape that is roughly circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhombus, cross, annular, arched and / or rectangular.

15. The camera arm (1) according to claim 14, wherein an imaginary reference line (36) extends from the horizontal width (32-h) of the air outlet (32) in the vertical direction to the center (62) of the camera lens (61), wherein the geometric center (37) of the air outlet (32), which is preferably roughly circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhombus, cross, ring, arch and / or rectangular in shape, is offset in the driving direction (DD) by a distance (38) along the horizontal width (32-h) of the air outlet (32), which is preferably roughly circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, rhombus, rhombus, cross, ring, arch and / or rectangular in shape, and the distance from the imaginary reference line (36) to the geometric center (37) is equal to or greater than 1 / 4 of the horizontal width (32-h).

16. The camera arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wing-shaped guide (5) is arranged close to the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess and is suitably shaped to at least partially block the outer surface (21) around the recess from direct contact with airflow (AS) caused by the vehicle (100) traveling around at least a portion of the camera arm (1), and / or • Wherein the wing-shaped guide (5) is generally in the form of a wall, preferably suitable for changing the direction of the air flow (AS) and reducing the pressure on the camera lens (61).

17. A camera arm (1) according to claim 16, wherein the wing-shaped guide (5) is suitably shaped to provide an air cushion (AC) around the air outlet (32) and the camera lens (61), raising an air flow (AS) from the outer surface (21) around the recess.

18. The camera arm (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the wing-shaped guide (5) has a first surface (5a) pointing to the recess (2) and a second surface (5b) pointing in the opposite direction, and the wing-shaped guide (5) has a sawtooth shape, the second surface (5b) is a slowly rising surface, and the first surface (5a) is a steeply inclined surface in a sawtooth shape.

19. A camera arm (1) according to claim 18, wherein the first surface (5a) protrudes from the surrounding surface (21) of the recess, and its optional height (5h) is at least twice the height (61h) of the camera lens (61) protruding from the surrounding surface (21) of the recess.

20. The camera arm (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first surface (5a) protrudes from the recess surrounding surface (21) in a vertical direction.

21. The camera arm (1) according to any one of claims 16 or 20, wherein the wing-shaped guide (5) partially surrounds the recess (2) and / or the camera lens (21).

22. A camera arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a seal (7) is arranged between the camera arm (60) and / or the camera lens (61) and the outer surface (21) around the recess of the camera arm (1), and the seal covers the gap between the camera (60) and / or the camera lens (61) and the outer surface (21) around the recess.

23. The camera arm (1) according to claim 22, wherein the sealing element (7) is configured as a deformable lip.

24. A camera arm (1) according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the seal (7) is advantageously applied to the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess by means of a multi-material molding technique (7-2K) or by removably attaching the seal (7) as a separate component (7-SC), preferably to the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess.

25. A camera arm system (50) comprising a camera arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a camera (60) with an external lens (61), wherein the external lens (61) is placed in a recess (2) of the camera arm (1), the recess (2) being used to accommodate the camera (60), wherein the external lens (61) is part of or protrudes from an outer surface (21) surrounding the camera of the camera arm (1).

26. A vehicle (100) comprising one or more camera arm systems (50) according to claim 25.

Images